Honors Curriculum

The structure of the Ogden Honors curriculum mirrors that of the major degree programs, which move from general education and foundation courses to major courses of narrower and more specific topics. The curriculum is designed with the flexibility to apply to all majors. Ogden Honors students also participate in four co-curricular "themes" for experience outside the classroom, one for each year of their enrollment. 

First Years

In the Freshman and Sophomore years, the Honors college offers discussion-oriented seminars taught by select faculty members on topics of their specialty. Additionally, there are small Honors versions of departmental courses that fulfill general education or foundation requirements of your major. In both of these types of courses, you will enjoy working with high-achieving peers and engaging professors in small, ambitious classes.

HNRS Seminars

The Ogden Honors College offers classes under the HNRS heading, taught by faculty members from across campus. Many HNRS courses are interdisciplinary and cover topics that cross multiple fields, and all are taught in a small seminar format with less than 20 students.  

Departmental Honors Courses

Departments also offer Honors classes under their own course heading, eg. CHEM 1421 Honors General Chemistry or PHIL 1001 Honors Introduction to Philosophy.  These courses are often equivalent to a non-Honors course of the same topic and apply to requirements in an equivalent manner.  

Upper Division 

In the Junior and Senior years, you conduct individual research projects to enhance your specialized 3000/4000-level courses through the Honors Option. Accumulating skill in independent learning, you then create new knowledge with an Honors capstone, pursuing your own topic of interest and working  one-on-one with a professor of your major. Many departments have created Upper Division programs appropriate for that discipline. 

Honors Option

Honors Options are a means of earning Honors credit in a traditional, non-honors course at the 3000 or 4000 level. Student and instructor will design this independent component through a contract process. Presentations, semester projects, primary source research, and conference reports are examples of components added to courses for Honors Option credit.

HNRS Research Courses

Honors research courses are offered under the HNRS rubric as well, including HNRS 3100 for internships, fieldwork, and other off-campus opportunities and HNRS 4000 for the Honors capstone.

Accomplishment

Recognitions certify excellence across the Ogden Honors College curriculum. College Honors is awarded as full enhancement of your degree and is reflected on the diploma. Sophomore Honors Distinction signifies excellence in the first phase of the program and carries a notation on the transcript. Upper Division Honors Distinction, also placed on the transcript, reflects completion with excellence of the second phase.

Overall, the Ogden Honors curriculum provides the opportunity to enhance your major and develop strong relationships with professors and peers through compelling and challenging learning opportunities.