Graduating with Honors

Cum Laude

Students graduating with an upper division GPA of 3.50 will graduate cum laude (with honors).  No research, thesis or enrollment in a  specific course is required for graduation cum laude.

Magna or Summa Cum Laude

Students desirous of graduating magna cum laude (3.75 upper division GPA)  or summa cum laude (3.85 upper division GPA) must fulfill the following criteria: 

  • Enroll in a minimum of 4 credits of MCB 4905, Undergraduate  Research or MCB 4909 Honors Project.
  • Enroll in one of the following courses and  receive a grade of  B or better: 
    3 credits-PCB 5235, Immunology 
    3 credits-MCB 5505, General Virology Honors 
    3 credits-PCB 5136L, Techniques in Microbial and Cell Biology 
    2 credits-MCB 5303L, Microbial Genetics Lab 
    3 credits-MCB 5458, Energy Transformations
    3 credits-MCB 5408, Anaerobic Microbiology and Biotechnology
  • Write an acceptable senior research thesis and turn it into the appropriate mentor, department and college representative one week prior to the last day of classes. There are sample papers in the microbiology advising office that students may review for style, content, and format.  Please see Janet Lyles in the main office if  you would like to take a look at these research papers. 
  • Maintain an upper division GPA of 3.75 through graduation for magna cum laude and an upper division GPA of 3.85 through graduation for summa cum laude.

The Thesis

Thesis research is  generally carried out over a period of  two or more academic terms, during which  the student is expected to register for minimum of 4 credits in MCB 4905, Undergraduate Research.

Thesis Format:  While the format is not rigid, every thesis should contain the following elements: 

  • Title Page 
  • Abstract - a statement (200 words or less) concisely describing the project and its outcome. 
  • Acknowledgments - who helped you and how. 
    Introduction - purpose of the study and/or statement of the problem under investigation. 
  • Materials and Methods - a description of your research; what you did and how you did it. 
  • Results and Discussion  - the outcome of your work. 
  • References - the major sources of information you consulted. 

Length:  you are not expected to write a lengthy thesis. Think of it as a moderate sized term paper that clearly describes your project and the results.   Recent senior theses have averaged approximately 20 pages. 

Time saver:  research journal standards are acceptable thesis criteria. Thus if your research project contributes substantially to a published research paper, you and your mentor may elect the following shortcut: 

  • Prepare the title page, acknowledgments, and abstract as above. The abstract should explain (in language understandable to an educated non-scientist) the project, how you contributed to it, the results,  and indicate when/where the paper is printed. 
  • Attach the above to a preprint or reprint of the paper.  That's it! 

For additional information and an example from CALS regarding preparation of your thesis go to:http://www.cals.ufl.edu/documents/thesisguide.pdf

Mentor and Undergraduate Coordinator Approval: 
The thesis is submitted only after:

  • First, your research supervisor has reviewed and approved it. It would be helpful if that person provides you with a letter or signed form with their signature verifying satisfactory completion of your project and thesis.
  • Second, the Department Undergraduate Coordinator Dr. Bill Gurley , has reviewed and approved it.  You can reach him at wgurley@ufl.edu. to schedule an appointment for the review.  Please be sure to bring him a copy of your thesis to keep for the Department  file. He will provide you with a letter of approval to verify completion of your senior thesis. Please take this form with you to your final college contact.

Thesis Submission: 

CLAS Thesis Submission Information
  • Obtain the Thesis Submission Form from the  on-line source.
  • http://www.honors.ufl.edu/forms/thesis.pdf 
  • The fill-in form must be typed.  Handwritten forms are not accepted! 
  • Note the importance of the key-words entry.
  • Do not staple or bind your thesis together.  Please turn it in unbound and secured with a binder clip.  
  • Due date: No later than the last day of classes of the term in which you graduate: 
  • Make as many copies as you and your mentor require, plus two.   The Department requires a copy for their department file.

    • Submit  one copy, each, of the thesis and the Submission Form to:  Ms. Linda O'Donnell, CLAS Advisement Office , 120 Academic Advising Liberal Arts and Sciences - 392-1521, Ext. 105 odonnell@advising.ufl.edu

CALS Thesis Submission Information\

You will need to see Michael Sisk to pick-up a CALS Honors Packet.  You can reach him in the Deans office:   2002 McCarty D, 392-1963, mjsisk@ufl.edu

For information regarding Honors Cords refer to:  http://www.advising.ufl.edu/faq/cordfaq.html

Note: Your thesis/research endeavor may qualify you to receive a University Scholars award.  For more information please access http://www.scholars.ufl.edu

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