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Union University

Chemistry

Department of Chemistry at Union

Discipline-Specific Honors

Major in Chemistry with Discipline-Specific Honors

In addition to the requirements listed for the Major in Chemistry in the Catalogue, students must complete

  1. Honors contracts in two of the following courses: CHE 211, 315, 318, 319, or 335
  2. An honors contract in one of the following courses: CHE 405, 430, or 435
  3. An honors contract in CHE 424/425 and 498

2025-26 Catalogue: Major in Chemistry with DSH

Major in Biochemistry with Discipline-Specific Honors

In addition to the requirements listed for the Major in Biochemistry in the Catalogue, students must complete

  1. Honors contracts in two of the following courses: CHE 211, 315, 318, 319, or 335.
  2. An honors contract in CHE 329.
  3. An honors contract in CHE 424/425 and 498.

2025-26 Catalogue: Major in Biochemistry with DSH

Admission Requirements for Majors with Discipline-Specific Honors

  • Completion of at least 15 hours at Union University or in transfer

Progression in Majors with Discipline-Specific Honors

To remain in the program a student must earn at least a B in each honors contract course in the major. A student who earns a B in two honors contract courses in the major may continue in the program only with permission of the department committee. This committee of three or four faculty (including the course instructor or research mentor) will be created for each course. The committee will approve the honors contract with the student and will evaluate the honors project on a satisfactory/ unsatisfactory basis. The course instructor will determine the overall course grade.

Honors Contract Courses

  1. Honors Contract Course Projects In addition to the normal coursework, the discipline- specific honors student must complete one project in each honors contract course as noted here:
    1. In the first honors contract course, prepare a review article on a topic studied within the course.
    2. In the second honors contract course, prepare and deliver two 30-minute lectures on topics studied within the course.
    3. In the third honors contract course, prepare a societal impact study of an important chemically related topic.
  2. Research Course Project The student must complete the first honors lecture course before starting the research course. The research course includes preparation of a formal written proposal for the work to be completed (written before work starts) and a defense of the proposal before the department committee.
  3. Seminar Course Project The student must prepare a research proposal (similar to the one for the research course) on a different topic and make an oral presentation of the proposal to the class and committee.