Disciplinary Honors Program

DISCIPLINARY HONORS PROGRAM IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES 2023 COHORT
APPLICATION DEADLINE IS APRIL 17, 2023.

Program Director: Doug Lobner
Honors Committee: Doug Lobner, Bob Peoples, Maria Crowe, Kevin Siebenlist

The Disciplinary Honors Program in Biomedical Sciences is designed for students to demonstrate exceptional work in the areas of research and community engagement, as well maintain high academic standards. Students involved in this program must go beyond normal expectations in these areas by generating an honors proposal that integrates coursework, research, community engagement, writing, and oral presentations into a coherent plan of work. There are two specific tracks within the program, one in which the emphasis is on scientific research and the other focused on community engagement, although all students must include some experience in each area.

Graduation with Disciplinary Honors in Biomedical Sciences requires completion of the portfolio and participation in a second-semester senior year capstone course. As part of this course, the students are required to prepare a presentation describing how they completed their Honors Plan.

Curricular Requirements

Honors students within both tracks are required to complete five courses which may be applied simultaneously to the Biomedical Sciences major as elective credit. Students should consult the Biomedical Sciences major Bulletin to confirm which Honor’s courses may be used toward Biomedical Sciences elective credit.

For their laboratory research experience, students within the research focus must complete six credits of BISC 4995H Independent Study in Biomedical Sciences (students will enroll twice, for three credits each class session) or complete three credits of BISC 4995H Independent Study in Biomedical Sciences and participate in the Biomedical Sciences Summer Research Program. Participation in the summer research program is indicated by registration for a 0 credit summer course (BISC 9007).

Research Track Requirements – 2 courses (3 or 6 credits)

Questions about the research track can be directed to Dr. Lobner, Doug.Lobner@marquette.edu

  • Six credits of honors laboratory research (BISC 4995H) (enrolling twice, for three credits each class session), or three credits plus participation in the summer research program (BISC 9007)
  • Thematic research plan-related curriculum
  • Additional extra-curricular activities should be considered (seminar series, etc.)
  • Inclusion of community engagement component (For example: assist with anatomy lab tours for high school students)
  • A written component of the plan is required during one of the independent study courses or the capstone course.

Community Engagement Track Requirements – 2 courses (6 credits)

Questions about the community engagement track can be directed to Autumn Swanson, Autumn.Swanson@marquette.edu

  • Six credits of honors community engagement course (BISC 4991H) (enrolling twice, for three credits each class session)
  • Thematic community engagement plan-related curriculum
  • Additional extra-curricular activities should be considered (seminar series, etc.)
  • Inclusion of relevant research component (For example: attend a research-based seminar series)
  • A written component of the plan is required during one of the independent study courses or the capstone course.

Curricular Requirements for both the Research and Community Engagement Focuses – 3 courses (3 credits).

In addition to the individual focus requirements, all students within the program must take two one-credit Honors courses as well as the Honors Program capstone course.

Choose two of the following courses:

  • BISC 4851H - Advanced Systems Neuroscience - 1 credit
  • BISC 4151H - Advanced Pathology - 1 credit
  • BISC 4214H - Advanced Biochemistry - 1 credit
  • BISC 4341H - Advanced Cellular Genetics and Cancer - 1 credit
  • BISC 4146H - Physiology In Depth: Contemporary Issues - 1 credit

Capstone Requirement:

  • BISC 4997H - Capstone for Disciplinary Honors Program in Biomedical Sciences - 1 credit

Academic Standards

Students must have a 3.200 cumulative grade point average for entry into the Disciplinary Honors Program in Biomedical Sciences. Students must achieve a 3.200 cumulative grade point average in order to graduate with an Honors Program degree. If a student drops below a 3.200 in any given semester during the junior year or any subsequent year, he/she will receive a letter of warning from the director. If a student drops below a 3.200 cumulative GPA, he/she will be placed on Honors Program academic probation; if he/she does not achieve a 3.200 cumulative by the end of the following semester, he/she will be removed from the program. Students must earn a grade of C or better in a course for it to count toward the Honors Degree.

Eligibility

The program is structured to be completed over the last two years of a student’s academic career. Sophomores are eligible to apply to the program near the end of the spring semester as long as they meet the 3.2 minimum cumulative GPA requirement.

Application

The application requires a comprehensive Honors Plan addressing three core honors themes: Academic Excellence, Research, and Community Engagement. Along with the Honors Plan submission, the student must identify a faculty mentor who will sponsor the plan.

Sample Honors Plans:
Research Track
Community Engagement Track

The Disciplinary Honors Program in Biomedical Sciences Committee approves the plans and selects a limited number of honors applicants to participate in the program.

Research Track Application:
https://forms.office.com/r/3n5WhuBUGA

Community Engagement Track Application:
https://forms.office.com/r/uFdeByVw9b