Honors in the Major
The Honors in the Major program allows you to work closely with a faculty mentor in your area of interest on an original research or performance project. This year-long collaboration allows you to work in your field at a professional level and culminates in a public presentation of your work. Students sometimes take their projects beyond the university for submission in professional journals, presentation at conferences, or competition in shows. Such experience is valuable for graduate school and professional life. Your honors work will be recognized at your graduation, on your permanent transcripts, and on your diploma. It is often accompanied by letters of commendation from your mentor in the department or the department chair.
Academic Plan
While Honors in the Major is part of the University Honors Program, each department administers its own program. Please contact your major department or major advisor for more details on the program, qualifications, and procedures for admission (see department phone numbers below). If you are interested in participating in the Honors Program but your major is not listed, please contact the Honors Program.
Majors Offering HIM
| Majors | ||
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Business | Economics | Nutrition and Food Science |
| Agriculture | Engineering | Philosophy |
| Anthropology | English | Psychology |
| Applied Computer Graphics | French | Recreation Administration |
| Art and Art History | Geography and Planning | Religious Studies |
| Asian Studies | Geosciences | Social Science |
| Biological Science | Health and Community Services | Social Work |
| Business | History | Sociology |
| Chemistry | Humanities | Spanish |
| Child Development | Kinesiology | Theatre Arts |
| Communication | Mathematics | |
| Computer Science | Nursing | |
Courses offered for Honors in the Major
| Department | Phone | Course Name | Course # |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Management Information Systems |
530-898-6463 | Honors Seminar in Accounting Honors Seminar in MIS Honors in Management |
ACCT 499H MINS 499H MGMT 499H |
| Agriculture | 530-898-5844 |
Honors Research in Agriculture |
AGRI 499H |
| Anthropology | 530-898-6192 |
Honors in Human Culture Diversity |
ANTH 113H |
| Applied Computer Graphics | 530-898-5963 | Honors Project | APCG 499H |
| Art | 530-898-5331 | Honors Project | ARTS 499H |
| Asian Studies | 530-898-6062 | Honors in Asian Studies | ASST 499H |
| Biological Sciences | 530-898-5356 | Honors Research in Biological Sciences | BIOL 499H |
| Business Administration | 530-898-6272 | Honors Seminar in Business | BADM 499H |
| Chemistry | 530-898-5259 | Honors Research Project | CHEM 499H |
| Child Development | 530-898-5250 | Honors Senior Seminar in Child Development Honors Independent Study |
CHLD 495H CHLD 499H |
| Communication |
530-898-4015 | Senior Honors Senior Honors |
COMM 399H COMM 499H |
| Computer Science |
530-898-6442 | Honors Research Project/Thesis | CSCI 499H |
| Construction Management |
530-898-5216 |
Contruction Methods Analysis - Honors |
CMGT 332H |
| Economics |
530-898-6141 |
History of Economic Thought - Honors |
ECON 410H |
| Engineering, Civil |
530-898-5342 |
Earthquake and Wind Engineering - Honors |
CIVL 558H CIVL 499H |
| Engineering, Electrical & Computer |
530-898-5343 | Honors Project | EECE 499H |
| Engineering, Mechanical |
530-898-5346 | Mechanical Engineering Design Project I - Honors Honors Project |
MECH 440H MECH 499H |
| Engineering, Mechatronic |
530-898-5346 | Mechatronic Engineering Design Project I - Honors Honors Project |
MECA 440H MECA 499H |
| English |
530-898-5124 | Special Topics/Honors Honors Senior Thesis |
ENGL 498H ENGL 599H |
| Finance & Marketing |
530-898-5666 | Honors in Finance Honors Seminar in Marketing Honors in International Business |
FINA 499H MKTG 499H INTB 499H |
| French |
530-898-5388 | Senior Honors Thesis | FREN 499H |
| Geography & Planning |
530-898-5285 | Special Topics - Honors Honors Research in Geography |
GEOG 398H GEOG 499H |
| Geosciences |
530-898-5262 | Honors Research in Geosciences | GEOS 499H |
| Health & Community Services |
530-898-6661 | Research and Evaluation in Health - Honors Management of Health Services Organizations - Honors Honors in Health and Community Services |
HCSV 425H HCSV 430H HCSV 499H |
| History |
530-898-5366 | Senior Honors Thesis | HIST 499H |
| Humanities |
530-898-6379 | Senior Honors Research Paper | HUMN 499H |
| Journalism |
530-898-4779 | Ethical Problems in Mass Media - Honors Honors in Journalism |
JOUR 460H JOUR 499H |
| Kinesiology |
530-898-6373 | Exercise Testing and Prescription - Honors Seminar in Sports Medicine - Honors Biomechanical Analysis - Honors Physical Education Honors Senior Research |
KINE 480H KINE 485H KINE 524H KINE 599H |
| Mathematics |
530-898-6111 | Honors Reading Honors Thesis |
MATH 495H MATH 499H |
| Nursing |
530-898-5891 | Honors in Nursing Practicum | NURS 399H |
| Nutrition and Food Science |
530-898-6805 | Honors Senior Thesis or Project | NFSC 499H |
| Philosophy |
530-898-6183 | Senior Honor Research Paper | PHIL 499H |
| Psychology |
530-898-5147 | Honors Seminar in Psychology I Honors Seminar in Psychology II |
PSYC 399H PSYC 499H |
| Recreation Administration |
530-898-6408 | Honors Seminar in Recr & Parks Mgmt | RECR 499H |
| Religious Studies |
530-898-5661 | Senior Honors Research Paper | RELS 499H |
| Social Science |
530-898-5688 | Senior Honors Research Seminar Honors: Behavioral/Social Science |
SOSC 495H SOSC 499H |
| Social Work |
530-898-6204 | Honors in Social Work | SWRK 499H |
| Sociology |
530-898-6384 | Sociology World Affairs: Honors Honors in Sociology |
SOCI 441H SOCI 499H |
| Spanish |
530-898-5388 | Spanish Honors Seminar Spanish Honors Thesis |
SPAN 470H SPAN 499H |
| Theatre Arts |
530-898-6161 | Independent Study for Honors Independent Study for Honors |
THEA 399H THEA 499H |
General Requirements for Honors in the Major:
- You must take six units of Honors in the Major course work.
- All six units are Honors classes (###H), at least three of which are independent study (499H) as specified by your department; a minimum grade of a B must be achieved in each class.
- You must have completed nine units of upper division course work or 21 overall units in your major before you can be admitted to Honors in the Major.
- Check the requirements for your major carefully, as there may be specific courses that must be included in these units.
- Your cumulative GPA should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
- Your GPA in your major should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
- Most students apply for, or are invited, to participate in Honors in the Major during the second semester of their junior year. They then complete the six units of course work over the two semesters of their senior year.
- Your honors work culminates with a public presentation of your honors project.
Freshman
Note: This Program is not available to Freshman Students.
Application:
To apply for Honors in the Major you need to speak with the Honors advisor for that major, you can not apply through the Honors Department.


