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Cornell University Department of Entomology

Distinction in Research Honors Program in Entomology

Faculty Committee

Cole Gilbert, Chair (cg23@cornell.edu)

The Program

A distinction in research honors program in the area of entomology may be pursued by any qualified student in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The student need not be specializing in entomology. Insects, because of their variety, small size, and easy availability, are convenient subjects for studying a wide array of problems dealing with living systems. Short life cycles, unique physiologies and developmental patterns, and species with easily managed colony requirements and a wide range of behavioral traits provide the raw material for research honors study. Cornell's diverse faculty interests and extensive collections and library in entomology are also major assets if a student selects entomology as the area for research honors study.

Prerequisites

An undergraduate wishing to enroll in the honors program must have completed at least 55 credits, at least 30 of the 55 at Cornell. Also the student must have attained a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 at the time of entry, and maintain this GPA to graduate with distinction in research. The CALS Registrar will verify GPAs of applicants before officially enrolling them in the Research Honors program. Research Honors students have the option of earning academic credit by enrolling in Independent Study (ENTOM 4970) during any semester while working toward a Research Honors Thesis. Credits and grade option for satisfying requirements of ENTOM 4970 should be discussed with the Thesis advisor (see below.) Note: Enrolling in independent study is not a requirement for graduating with distinction in research honors in Entomology.

Sequence of Requirements

The Entomology research honors committee requires that an undergraduate who is interested in embarking on a research honors project proceed with the following steps:

  • Discuss the matter with his or her academic adviser, preferably in the junior year. This schedule makes it possible to carefully plan a research project, and implement some research during the junior year and/or summer before the senior year.

  • Select an appropriate faculty member in the Department of Entomology who can serve as a supervisor to oversee the honors research. This need not be the student's academic advisor. The academic adviser will be of assistance in determining which faculty entomologist has expertise most compatible with the interests of the student.

  • Prepare a brief, tentative plan for the project for discussion and approval of the honors project supervisor. The plan should include a statement of objectives or hypotheses, proposed methods for testing hypotheses, needs for laboratory space or shared equipment, and a budget outlining financial support needed for travel and supplies.

  • Submit a completed application and proposal (approved by the honors project supervisor and the chair of the entomology research honors committee) no later than the end of the sixth week of the first semester of the senior year. Earlier submission is encouraged. Applications are available and should be submitted to the CALS Registrar 140 Roberts Hall. These applications include an opportunity to request a modest amount of funding from the CALS honors program. These funds are distributed only one time per year (in late fall).

  • Submit a brief progress report, approved by the project supervisor, to the Entomology research honors committee by midterm of the semester in which the student will complete his or her graduation requirements.

  • Present a formal seminar reporting the significant findings of the research to the Department of Entomology (as a Jugatae seminar) in the last semester of the senior year.

  • Submit two copies of the final honors thesis (as approved by the thesis supervisor) to the chair of the Entomology area research honors committee no later than two weeks before the last day of classes in the semester in which the student anticipates graduation. The thesis will be reviewed by the faculty honors project supervisor and one other referee selected by the chair of the honors committee.

  • Referees will return the thesis to the student one week before the last day of classes. If reviewers indicate that changes must be made, the revised thesis should be submitted to the Entomology honor committee chair no later than the last day of classes. Referees should include a recommendation to the Entomology research honors chair regarding acceptability of the honors theses. Approved honors theses will be bound and housed in the Entomology Library in Comstock Hall.