Honors Program
Overview
The Physics Departmental Honors Program is designed to give a richer educational experience to students pursuing their Bachelors of Science degree in Physics at the University of Utah. The Program helps students who are focused on graduate school engage in serious research and take classes in an accelerated curriculum. It also creates a strong alternative to University Honors for students who either transfer to the University of Utah or come to the University with a significant number of AP credits and have completed most of their general education requirements. The centerpiece of the Physics Honors Program is a project culminating in the submission of a written thesis and the presentation of the student’s work in a public forum. Students completing the Physics Departmental Honors Program will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics with Departmental Honors
Relation to University Honors
The University Honors Degree and the Physics Department Honors Degree share some courses but are otherwise independent. Students can graduate with University Honors, Departmental Honors, or both, provided they satisfy the respective requirements. The requirements of the University Honors Program can be found online at http://www.honors.utah.edu or by contacting the University of Utah Honors Program, 1975 DeTrobriand, Building 619, Ft. Douglas Triplex, Salt Lake City, UT 84113, telephone (801) 581-7383, fax (801) 585-5034. The courses required in the University Honors Program are: two semesters of Honors Core in Intellectual Traditions (Honors 2101, 2102, and/or 2103), Honors Writing (either Honors 2211 or 3200), and four additional Honors courses. The latter can be University or Departmental Honors courses.
Requirements
The Physics Honors Program is intended to combine flexibility with high standards. To receive a Bachelor of Science in Physics with Departmental Honors students must:
- Meet all University and Departmental requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics.
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.4 overall, a minimum grade of B in all Physics courses, and a cumulative GPA of 3.5 in all Physics courses.
- Complete 3 units of Physics 4999 “Senior Honors Project.” (Required Honors courses may be applied to major and graduation requirements.)
- Complete at least additional 20 units of Physics Honors courses (see Appendix for a list of eligible courses). (Required Honors courses may be applied to major and graduation requirements.)
- Complete a senior project/thesis and submit a substantial written final document discussing the results of their project. The final document must be approved by the Physics Honors Committee and must bear the signature of the Physics Honors Advisor. As per University Honors policy, the thesis/project must be completed with distinction.”
- Present the results of their project in an appropriate public forum approved by the Physics Honors Committee (e.g. seminar, University Undergraduate Research Symposium, meetings of the American Physical Society, etc.).
Students in the Physics Honors Program are required to complete a Physics Departmental Honors Form. The original Form is to be filed with the Physics Honors Advisor. It is the responsibility of the student to notify the Physics Honors Advisor of any changes in the student’s Honors plan.
For any additional questions or information about the Physics Honors Program, please contact the Physics Honors Advisor: Prof. Paolo Gondolo, 220 INSCC, telephone (801) 581-7788, e-mail paolo@physics.utah.edu.