Microbiology Departmental Honors

Honors Program Director: Professor Kristen DeAngelis 

N573 Life Sciences Lab,
Tel:  413-577-4669
Email: deangelis@microbio.umass.edu

Departmental Honors

The Commonwealth Honors College (CHC) is the home of the honors program on the University of Massachusetts campus. The Microbiology Department offers Microbiology majors the option to enroll in Departmental Honors (DH), an Advanced Scholarship Track of CHC. Participation in Microbiology Departmental Honors requires admission to the program.

How to Apply

Students in the Microbiology major who are currently members of the CHC can apply for admission to the Departmental Honors by contacting the Department’s Honors Program Director, Professor Kristen DeAngelis. For Microbiology majors who are not yet members of the CHC, apply for admission to Departmental Honors via the CHC on-line application process.

Required Course Work

MICROBIO 391H: The Secret Lifestyle of Microorganisms, Honors Colloquium for Microbiology 311 (1 cr) (Spring)

A small group tutorial discussion: the role of science in society combined with discussions of contemporary societal issues involving microbiology such as emerging infectious diseases and microbial biotechnology.  

MICROBIO 396/MICROBIO 396ISH Independent Study (ISH usually 3 cr)  

Program participants will undertake an honors section of independent study under the direction of their research sponsor.  (You will need to fill out an Independent Study Honors Contract with the Commonwealth Honors College Office)  

MICROBIO 499Y Honors Research (3 cr, Fall, Senior Year)  

Original microbiological research carried out under the direction of the research sponsor.  The honors student will take an active role in the experimental design of the research project.  The expectation is that participation in the design and implementation of a research project will help the student acquire the necessary skills to carry out independent research.

Microbio 499P Honors Project (Capstone Experience)  (3 cr, Spring, Senior Year)

The honors project consists of completing and presenting original research.  The presentation will include but not be limited to an abstract suitable for publication and a research summary in the form of a poster appropriate for presentation at a scientific meeting.  A departmental poster presentation session will be held at the end of the semester.  Students must also complete the Manuscript requirement for CHC.