Honors Program
The Honors Program provides a vehicle for highly motivated and able students to pursue an innovative and challenging undergraduate education. Oversight of students’ progress is primarily the responsibility of the undergraduate colleges. The college Honors Program committees approve programs of study and are responsible for program administration. The University Honors Program Committee, which includes the chairs of the college programs, is responsible for the general coordination of the college Honors Programs and the First-Year Honors Program.
Students in the Honors Program are given a variety of academic opportunities to help them benefit fully from their undergraduate education. To enhance their individualized programs of study, students are offered honors courses, seminars, and opportunities for independent research.
Honors courses and honors sections of regular courses are offered by several departments and programs. These courses often have limited enrollment. Most of these courses are listed by department or program. (See for example Economics, Engineering, English, Mathematics, Physics, and Speech Communication.)
In addition to taking established honors courses, honors students may designate a course as an honors course with the agreement of the course instructor and obtaining approval from the Honors Program director. Most departments offer opportunities for independent study and research under 290 and 490; when designated by an H, these courses also carry honors credit.
Research grants are available to support honors research.
Listed below are courses offered directly by the University Honors Program. Specific information about the full range of honors courses and seminars for the current academic year, including the honors courses offered by individual departments and programs, may be obtained from the Honors Program Office, 2130 Jischke Honors Building.
Courses
Courses primarily for undergraduates:
HON 121. First-Year Honors Seminar.
(0-2) Cr. 1.
F.
Prereq: Membership in the First-Year Honors Program
Orientation to Iowa State University and to the University Honors Program.
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
HON 290. Special Problems.
Cr. arr.
Prereq: Membership in and permission of the University Honors Program
Independent study on topics of an interdisciplinary nature. Intended primarily for freshmen and sophomores.
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
HON 290H. Honors.
Cr. 1-2.
F.S.
Prereq: Membership in and permission of the University Honors Program
Independent study on topics of an interdisciplinary nature. Intended primarily for freshmen and sophomores.
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
HON 290U. Undergraduate Research.
Cr. arr.
F.S.
Prereq: Membership in and permission of the University Honors Program
Independent study on topics of an interdisciplinary nature. Intended primarily for freshmen and sophomores.
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
HON 302. Honors Leadership Seminar.
(1-2) Cr. 2.
F.
Prereq: Selection as a leader of a First-Year Honors Seminar
For students serving as leaders of First-Year Honors Seminars, under faculty supervision. Development of teaching and leadership skills within the context of an Honors education experience.
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
HON 321. University Honors Seminars.
Cr. 1-2.
F.S.
Prereq: Membership in the University Honors Program
Interdisciplinary seminars on topics to be announced in advance.
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
HON 322. University Honors Seminars.
Cr. 1-2.
F.S.
Prereq: Membership in the University Honors Program
Interdisciplinary seminars on topics to be announced in advance.
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
HON 323. University Honors Seminars.
Cr. 1-2.
F.S.
Prereq: Membership in the University Honors Program
Interdisciplinary seminars on topics to be announced in advance.
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
HON 324. University Honors Seminars.
Cr. 1-2.
F.S.
Prereq: Membership in the University Honors Program
Interdisciplinary seminars on topics to be announced in advance.
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
HON 490. Independent Study.
Cr. arr.
Repeatable. F.S.
Prereq: Membership in and permission of the University Honors Program
Independent study on topics of an interdisciplinary nature. Intended primarily for juniors and seniors.
