Departmental Honors Programs

The purpose of Departmental Honors is to provide Calhoun Scholars a unique opportunity to do advanced, in-depth study and research within their major academic disciplines. Specific requirements are set by the student's department; however, it is expected that all students, regardless of major, will complete a thesis, portfolio of creative works, or major research project under the guidance of a faculty member or committee of faculty.

Normally, Departmental Honors is undertaken in your junior and senior years. To be considered for any Departmental Honors program, you must have a cumulative GPR of 3.40 or higher and the approval of your department, which may take into consideration such factors as your maturity and motivation. Upon approval you will submit to the Honors Office an outline of your program of study (forms available in 320 Brackett Hall). This outline requires the signatures of your faculty advisor, department head or departmental honors coordinator, and the Director of Calhoun Honors College. Any changes to your program of study require departmental consent and the submission to the Honors Office of an amended Departmental Honors approval form.

Normally, students achieve Departmental Honors in the academic discipline of their major. However, with the express written approval of the Honors Director and the chairs of the appropriate departments, permission may be granted for Departmental Honors to be earned in an area of study other than that of the student's major.

To be awarded the Certificate of Achievement in Departmental Honors the following requirements must be satisfied:

1) A cumulative GPR of 3.40 or higher on all coursework taken at Clemson (non-honors as well as honors courses).
2) Completion of all university requirements for graduation.
3) A grade of A or B in each honors course taken to fulfill the requirements of Departmental Honors.*

* Under limited circumstances courses required by Departmental Honors programs may be taken pass/fail.

Industrial Engineering

The Departmental Honors Program in Industrial Engineering provides students with an opportunity to engage in research under the guidance of a faculty advisor. If the research ultimately proves fruitful, it is disseminated to the professional community via presentations, publications, or both. In addition, opportunities exist for students to participate in local and national research competitions.

A student receives academic credit for the research through a series of courses. The first in the series is IE H300 , a course in which honors students become familiar with current research in industrial engineering and begin groundwork for their own research; IE H300 is one credit hour. As the work progresses, students enroll in IE H491 . IE H491 is a variable hour course that may be taken two or more times, in multiples of one hour, for a total of six credits. Since IE H491 is a variable hour course, it affords students considerable flexibility. Moreover, the research hours may be substituted for the Department's six-credit technical elective requirement.

More information (Calhoun Honors College @ Clemson University)