Departmental Honors gives you an opportunity to write a research thesis and receive an honors citation on your diploma. You will conduct your own (original) research, collect and analyze data, and discuss and write about it with like-minded others. Successful honors students are inquisitive, self-motivated, and good time-managers -- the kind of students with whom most faculty members enjoy working! Additionally, the coursework normally "counts" towards requirements in your concentration, so shouldn't affect your graduation.
The goal of ENSP Honors is to encourage and recognize superior scholarship by providing opportunities for students to engage in independent study and research, resulting in a thesis.
The research project will be conducted under the supervision of a faculty mentor ("honors thesis advisor") and will result in an Honors thesis.
What does the program entail?
ENSP Honors Program Guide - includes admission requirements and program details |
ADMISSION
Getting Started: Students are encouraged to start considering thesis topics during the spring semester of the sophomore year, and no later than the fall semester of the junior year. It is, at minimum, 3-semester commitment.
Requirements: Junior status (at least 45 credits earned, but no later than 75 credits); GPA of 3.25 or higher and a 3.5 or higher in all ENSP major requirements is required
Applying: Students must have identified an honors thesis advisor (typically a faculty member) before an application will be reviewed. All completed applications must be submitted to the ENSP Director by November 1 (for spring admission) or April 1 (for fall admission).
The Application Packet will include:
- an unofficial UMD transcript;
- a personal statement of interest in and a rationale for the proposed thesis topic;
- a letter of support from the honors thesis advisor.
The statement of research goals is a 1-2 page description of your research plans as decided between you and your honors thesis advisor. The brief statement consists of your proposed project title, your name, and date. The text includes sections for a brief background, list of objectives or aims, and ending with broader impacts or expected significance of the research. Citations may be included. The ENSP Director (Dr. Mark Carroll, mcarroll@umd.edu)will review the information, and if approved, you will be formally admitted to the Program.
Helpful resources:
- Examples of Past ENSP Honors Theses - a sampling of research topics from previous ENSP Honors students
- Writing an Honors Thesis - provides a great, overall introduction and suggestions for "keeping it do-able." (The Writing Center, UNC - Chapel Hill).
- Zotero - a FREE research tool that collects, manages, and cites research sources; it's easy to use and lives in your Firefox browser - Univ of Arkansas
- APA Style Guide - Purdue University OWL (Online Writing lab)
- Social Science Research - a guide to the various components in a social science research paper. (University of Southern California).
- Scientific Writing - includes samples of formats required by scientific journals. (Biology Department, Bates College).
- MLA Style Guide - Purdue University OWL (Online Writing lab)
- Basic Legal Citation (Cornell University Law School Library)
- The Defense - practical advice for a successful thesis defense (Wheaton College)
Contact Ms. Angela Mazur-Gray if you want to learn more!
