For Students who Enter UW-Madison in Fall 2017 or after.
All forms cited in this document & additional details are available via the CALS Honors Program web page.

ENTERING THE HONORS PROGRAM:

• Apply to the CALS honors program

DURING THE FIRST YEAR:

• Identify a mentor
• Identify a general area of research
• Begin to become familiar with common research tools, language, and processes through engagement in a research activity (such as reading, lab work, field work, etc).
• There should be frequent interactions with the mentor or the research group associated with the mentor.
• Consider involvement with the CALS Health and Research Society (CHARS).
• Maintain a 3.25 GPA
• Enroll in Inter-Ag 288 (1 er) during the spring.¹

DURING THE SECOND YEAR:

• Conduct an introductory research project (through Biocore, Biology 152, or 299/699 independent study credit).
• Continue development of research skills. (For experimental sciences, this might involve reading the scientific literature but primary emphasis is on developing laboratory skills through interaction with the faculty & other scientists. In the social sciences, it might involve reading the literature as well as beginning the types of data acquisition & analysis or other personal involvement appropriate to the discipline.).
• Near the end of the year, present the research results in an appropriate research forum to an informed audience such as a poster session at a local meeting or symposium, or an oral presentation to the mentor's research group.
• There should be frequent interactions with the mentor or his/her research group.
• Maintain a 3.25 GPA
• Enroll in Inter-Ag 388 (1 er) during the spring.²

DURING THE THIRD YEAR:

• Prepare a thesis proposal suitable in content, length, and format to the field in which the research is being conducted.
• Apply for funding to support the senior honors thesis research. CALS and campus deadlines are typically in mid-February of each year and are posted on the CALS Honors website along with application materials. Off-campus funding may be available in certain cases. Applications for funding are not strictly required but are strongly recommended.
• Maintain a 3.25 GPA.
• Enroll in Inter-Ag 488 (1 er) during the spring.

DURING THE FOURTH/FINAL YEAR:

• Complete 2-4 credits of Senior Honors Thesis 681 (or 699 if 681 is unavailable in the mentor's department).
• Complete 2-4 credits of Senior Honors Thesis 682 (or 699).
• Present the Thesis results in a public forum (CALS Undergraduate Symposium and/or UW Undergraduate Symposium are recommended venues) and document this presentation by filing a Senior Honors Thesis Presentation Form.
• Submit an electronic copy of the Abstract Page, Cover Sheet, Presentation Form and Senior Thesis to the 116 Ag Hall.
• Achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher.

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¹Students who began at UW-Madison prior to fall 2017 are not required to complete Inter-Ag 288 (though they may choose to do so during their sophomore year). Instead, activities and accomplishments during the first year should be documented by filing a First-Year Requirements Form and Letter. For students intending to complete the honors program in 3 years rather than 4, it is permissible to combine the first and second-year letters.

²Students who began at UW-Madison prior to fall 2017 are not required to complete Inter-Ag 388 (though they may choose to do so during their junior year). Instead, activities and accomplishments during the second year should be documented by filing a Second-Year Requirements Form and Letter. For students intending to complete the honors program in 3 years rather than 4, it is permissible to combine the first and second-year letters.

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CALS Honors in Research: Sample Student Situations
Sally Student - freshman in fall 2017

Freshman Fall Apply to CALS Honors Program Get involved with the CALS Health and Research Consider Undergraduate Research Scholars(URS)	Freshman Spring Enroll in Inter-Ag 288 Identify research mentor and complete mentor/mentee contract*
Sophomore Fall Complete mini (one semester) independent research project* (BIOCORE, BIO 152, Ind. Study) and presentation {OR SPRING) Meet with mentor	Sophomore Spring Enroll in Inter-Ag 388 Complete mini {one semester) independent research project* {BIOCORE, BIO 152, Ind. Study) and presentation {OR FALL)
Junior Fall Draft senior thesis proposal Continue research experience (optional) Meet with mentor	Junior Spring Enroll in Inter-Ag 488) Finalize and submit senior thesis proposal* for funding (Hilldale, Holstrom, CALS Research Award)) Continue research experience (optional)
Senior Fall Draft senior thesis proposal Continue research experience (optional) Meet with mentor	Senior Spring Enroll in senior honors thesis {682/699, min. 2 crs) Continue writing group through library Present thesis results Submit thesis and documentation*

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^*indicates a portfolio piece

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John Doe - sophomore in fall 2017; already applied to Honors Program

Sophomore Fall Complete mini (one semester) independent research project* (BIOCORE, BIO 152, Ind. Study) and presentation (OR SPRING) Meet with mentor	Sophomore Spring Enroll in Inter-Ag 288 (OPTIONAL) or complete Second-Year Requirements Form and Letter Complete mini {one semester) independent research project* {BIOCORE, BIO 152, Ind. Study) and presentation {OR FALL)
Junior Fall Draft senior thesis proposal Continue research experience (optional) Meet with mentor	Junior Spring Enroll in Inter-Ag 388 (OPTIONAL) or complete 388 Substitution Form Complete Third-Year Requirements Form and Letter Finalize and submit senior thesis proposal* for funding (Hilldale, Holstrom, CALS Research Award) Continue research experience (optional)
Senior Fall Enroll in senior honors thesis {681/699, min. 2 crs) Join writing group through library Meet with mentor	Senior Spring Enroll in senior honors thesis {682/699, min. 2 crs) Enroll in Inter-Ag 488 (OPTIONAL) or complete Inter-Ag 488 Substitution Form Continue writing group through library Present thesis results Submit thesis and documentation*

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^*indicates a portfolio piece

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Buckingham Badger -junior in fall 2017; has not applied to Honors Program
*Note: student must have completed mini (one semester) independent research project (BJOCORE, BIO 152, Ind. Study) and presentation*

Junior Fall Apply to Honors Program Complete missing documentation to catch up: First Year Form, Second Year Form, 2 page letter about research experiences during first and second years Draft senior thesis proposal Continue research experience (optional) Meet with mentor	Junior Spring Complete Third-Year Requirements Form and Letter Complete Inter-Ag 388 Substitution Form Finalize and submit senior thesis proposal* for funding (Hilldale, Holstrom, CALS Research Award) Continue research experience (optional)
Senior Fall Enroll in senior honors thesis (681/699, min. 2 crs) Join writing group through library Meet with mentor	Senior Spring Enroll in senior honors thesis (682/699, min. 2 crs) Complete Inter-Ag 488 Substitution Form Continue writing group through library Present thesis results Submit thesis and documentation*

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^*indicates a portfolio piece