Honours in Biology

Thinking about an Honours in Biology?

Why do an Honours project:

An Honours project will provide an independent research experience that will help prepare students for further education and entering the workforce. They will learn valuable skills in research techniques and collaborate with faculty in a research environment.

If you are interested in the Honours program you will need:

1. A supervisor!

Students should explore opportunities with potential supervisors before applying to the Honours program. This is an important part of the process, as it will allow both student and supervisor to assess the opportunity. Prospective Honours students are strongly encouraged to meet with potential supervisors in person. Biology faculty email addresses can be found here

Students must first find a supervisor for their Honours research before applying. Supervisors can be full-time or adjunct faculty in Biology or other departments at SMU provided that the topic of the Honours research is biological. Students are encouraged to begin contacting potential supervisors as early as possible (recommended: in their second year or fall of their third year) as projects and funding are limited.

Students who wish to undertake Honours research with supervisors external to SMU must also find an internal supervisor (full-time faculty in Biology).

2. Biology courses

Students completing Honours must meet all requirements of the Major in Biology, and additionally complete the Honours Seminar (BIOL 4549; 6 credit hours), the research Thesis (BIOL 4500; 6 credit hours), Biostatistics (BIOL 3308), and three additional credit hours in BIOL at the 4000-level for a total of 30 credit hours of BIOL electives (including BIOL 3308) at the 3000 and 4000-level, with at least 12 credit hours in each of the 3000 and 4000 levels. Honours students must also achieve a minimum degree GPA of 3.00 (Faculty of Science Regulation 13).

Admission to Honours

Students require a minimum CGPA of 3.00 to be admitted to the Honours program.

The application requires a form to be completed and signed off by the chair of Biology Department. Students must specify their supervisor when submitting their form. When you are accepted to the Honours program, your registration status will change from "major" to "Honours".