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Honors Program

Honors Program

Dive into a subject you’re passionate about and
enhance your CALS experience with the Honors Program.

Highly motivated CALS students may choose to challenge and distinguish themselves by joining the CALS Honors Program. CALS Honors students choose from two paths – Honors in Research or Honors in Major. In either path, students carry out independent research culminating in a Senior Honors Thesis.

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Why join the CALS Honors Program?

  • Challenge yourself in the classroom and beyond and set yourself apart
  • Develop and carry out an independent research project culminating in an Honors Thesis
  • Hone your critical thinking and problem solving skills beyond the classroom
  • Form a collaborative relationship with a CALS faculty member
  • Join a cohort with other CALS Honors students interested in research
  • Take Honors seminars to enhance your experience in the lab
  • Graduate with Honors

Honors in Research

Students engage in the university’s and CALS’ great research tradition through the completion of two research projects: an introductory project and a senior thesis project. A faculty mentor oversees their research efforts and supports their progression through the program. In addition to the hands-on research experience, students enroll in coursework directed at furthering their knowledge in quality and ethical scientific discovery.

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Honors in Major

Honors in the Major offers CALS students an advanced program of study within a major field and closely related disciplines. In this path, students complete a set of courses with Honors credits and complete a Senior Honors Thesis under the mentorship of a faculty member.

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Did you know?

100%

CALS Honors students complete a Senior Honors Thesis with the mentorship of a faculty member

> 110

CALS students are in the CALS Honors Program annually

100%

CALS Honors students will receive an Honors designation on their transcript upon successful completion of the program

100%

CALS Honors in Research students take specialized seminar courses designed to enrich their experience in the Honors Program

Rutuja Gupte

Genetics & Genomics and Data Science, Honors in Research

The honors program has helped me find a community in CALS. Our honors cohort is a tight-knit community navigating research and discovering our interests together. The honors program is designed to support undergraduate research and equip us with tools to navigate different aspects of research, including building relationships with mentors, reading scientific literature, writing professionally, and effectively communicating our science. It is also a great platform to learn about labs in other departments, interact with faculty, and learn about interesting research happening across campus.

FAQs

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How do I apply for CALS Honors Program?expand_more

New first-year students admitted to CALS are invited to apply for admission to the CALS Honors Program by completing the application that includes a statement of why you are interested in pursuing the CALS Honors Program and how the program will contribute to your academic and career goals. New first-year students will automatically be enrolled in Honors in Research, but may switch to Honors in Major after meeting with an academic advisor.

Transfer students and continuing CALS students are also invited to apply for the CALS Honors Program by completing the application if they have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25. Transfer and continuing students may apply directly for Honors in Research or Honors in Major (after meeting with the major advisor).

Applications for the CALS Honors Program are reviewed on a rolling basis with a final deadline of December 3 to begin in the spring semester. Interested students are encouraged to apply early so they can begin to receive communications from the program.

When should I apply for CALS Honors Program?expand_more

CALS students are encouraged to apply for the Honors Program as soon as they are interested, which might even be the summer before their first year. The sooner students enter the Honors Program the more engagement and opportunities will be available to them in the CALS Honors Program.

Applications for the CALS Honors Program are reviewed on a rolling basis with a final deadline of December 3 to begin in the spring semester. Interested students are encouraged to apply early so they can begin to receive communications from the program.

How do I find a faculty mentor?expand_more

There are many faculty members enthusiastic about mentoring undergraduate students in research – especially students in the CALS Honors Programs. There are also many resources to assist with how to find a faculty mentor including first-year seminar courses like QuickStart (INTER-AG 140) and the Introductory CALS Honors Seminar (INTER-AG 288).

Can I complete both the Honors in Research and Honors in Major?expand_more

Students choose to join the option, Honors in Research or Honors in Major, that best fits their goals. However, students can change which option they are pursuing if their goals change.

Questions about the CALS Honors Program?

Contact the Honors Program Manager, Heather Mialik at heather.mialik@wisc.edu.
Current UW-Madison students can schedule a meeting with Heather on Starfish.

Office of Academic Affairs

116 Agricultural Hall
1450 Linden Drive
Madison, WI 53706

Office Hours: 7:45am – 4:30pm

For current & prospective student general inquiries:
Phone: 608.262.3003
Email: academicaffairs@cals.wisc.edu

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