Honors means a number of different things in the College of Natural Sciences.

We have two honors programs, Dean's Scholars and Turing Scholars, which require students to complete a specific course of study (on top of the requirements for their major) that lasts the duration of their college career and culminates in a research-based thesis.

Each of the departments in the college offers a way for its students to earn Departmental Honors.

On Honors Day each spring, the university and the college celebrate outstanding students as College Scholars (cumulative GPA of 3.5) and Distinguished College Scholars (cumulative GPA of 3.8). These students are recognized at the Honors Day convocation.

At the end of every semester, the university recognizes students who've excelled that semester, achieving a GPA of at least 3.50, by including them on the University Honors List. Their achievement is also noted on their semester grade report.

At graduation every year, the top 20% of the class is recognized as graduating with University Honors. The top 10% receive High Honors, and the top 4% receive Highest Honors.

At graduation every year the college recognizes its Dean's Honored Graduates, who are selected from the top 1% of the graduating class and who are honored for their academic excellence and outstanding contributions outside classroom.

Last but not least, high-achieving students are eligible to join the various Honor Societies, which are student-run organizations.

For more information, contact the Office of Honors, Research and International Study.