Honors Program In Biochemistry

To register to for independent study, please fill out the Independent Study Form.

Students who have shown particular interest and aptitude for independent research may wish to consider applying to the Biochemistry Honors Program. Students successfully completing the requirements are recognized at graduation for Distinguished Independent Study in Biochemistry. The student must have already completed at least 4 credit hours of Independent Study, BCHM 497, and of course have the support of their research advisor. Their research should have already progressed far enough to make it likely that a suitable thesis will result in the time remaining.

Admission to the honors program should be sought in the fall semester of your senior year or earlier. To do this, write a short (4 to 8 page) account of the background to the research problem you are working on, the significance of your research, an outline of the experiments and results you have already done, and those you plan to do to complete your project. This honors proposal is then submitted to the University Biochemical Sciences Committee through the Director of the Biochemistry Program, along with your suggestion for a faculty member (other than your research advisor) to serve on your thesis committee. If your proposal is approved, the Biochemistry Committee will also select another faculty member to serve on your committee. This three member committee, your research advisor, the second member chosen by you and your advisor, and the third member appointed by the Biochemistry Committee,oversee you honors work.

During the spring semester you should complete your experiments, and write your thesis. The thesis should follow the same general form as used for Masters or Doctoral theses. You can consult either your faculty research advisor or the Director of Biochemistry for details and examples. After completion, your thesis is submitted to your committee, and the defense scheduled. The defense consists of an oral presentation of your work, followed by an oral examination by your committee focused on your research and your thesis. The final step is to incorporate any changes or corrections to your thesis suggested by your committee. Upon successful completion of the requirements your committee will sign the "DISTINGUISHED INDEPENDENT STUDY IN BIOCHEMISTRY HONORS THESIS AND DEFENSE" form (see below). The final form of your thesis must be submitted to the Technical Services desk at the Bartle Library for binding. At least three copies are required (for the Science Library and for the Biochemistry Program), as well as any other copies for yourself and your research advisor.

A common mistake by students is underestimating the time to carry out all of the requirements. Note that the thesis must be submitted to your committee at least two weeks before your defense (the Director of Biochemistry should be informed at the same time), and all requirements must be completed by at least two weeks before the end of classes in the semester you are graduating. The writing and polishing of the thesis is time consuming and can not be left to the last minute. After the defense, changes and corrections to the thesis are usually required, and again take time, as does preparation of the final copies of the thesis. Please plan accordingly.

If you are interested in this honor, the form "DISTINGUISHED INDEPENDENT STUDY IN BIOCHEMISTRY HONORS THESIS AND DEFENSE" must be filled out and submitted to the director and can be downloaded here.

Binghamton University | Department of Chemistry | Department of Biological Sciences
©2005 Binghamton Biochemistry Program
Last Modified Dec 20 2005