UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS
HONORS COLLEGE RESEARCH TRACK
Introduction. The University of North Texas Honors Research
Track is designed to get students involved early in their careers in
quality academic research. The research track is designed to be a
tripartite partnership among Honors students, faculty mentors in the
students’ majors, and the Honors College staff.
Why Students Should Be Interested. Dr. James Duban, Honors
Faculty and Director of the Office for Nationally Competitive
Scholarships and Fellowships, served on the planning committee. He
has found, in his years of experience, that the more research
experience students have, the more competitive they are for
prestigious graduate and professional schools, and for funding for
their graduate education. In addition, many of the jobs in the
information age in which we live involve research in one way or
another, so that applied research experience can also enhance a
resume for students in a tight labor market.
Elements of the Research Track. The research track includes a
number of elements to encourage students to write a thesis,
including two organized Honors research courses, recommendations for
hands-on research experience, an Honors thesis course open to all
majors, and opportunities for research presentations and
publications. These elements are as follows:
- Freshman Honors Introduction to Research Course. The
first course is a freshman level course to introduce students to the
scientific method, and to encourage them to begin thinking about a
topic for their Honors thesis. The primary requirements for this
course are that the student (a) choose a broad research topic, (b)
identify and engage a faculty mentor in the area, and (c) write a
prospectus for a thesis. This course is an opportunity for the
faculty mentor to begin to shape the thesis that the student will
develop. View the sample syllabus below.
HNRS
1500
- Junior Honors Thesis Development Course. The second
course is a junior level course in which students develop and defend
a formal thesis proposal. View the sample syllabus below.
HNRS
3500
- Research Experience. In addition to courses, students are
encouraged to get hands-on research experience, preferably before
they start work on their own thesis. Research experiences may occur
in a variety of venues. Students are encouraged to work with their
faculty mentors on funded or unfunded faculty research projects.
They may also participate in summer research programs designed
especially for undergraduates, such as the National Science
Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates at the University
of North Texas or other universities. There are internships
opportunities for undergraduates available through local, state or
federal government agencies, businesses, and arts and entertainment
organizations.
Places You Can Look for
Internships
- Junior/Senior Honors Capstone Thesis. When students have
completed HNRS1500 and HNRS3500, they will finish their thesis under
the guidance of their faculty mentor in their major area. Honors
faculty remain available to work with mentors and students as a
committee member, at the discretion of the faculty mentor.
Thesis Guidelines
- Presentations and Publications. Finally, students who
participate in the research track are encouraged to present posters
and research papers at conferences including University Scholars Day
at UNT (Spring); the regional Great Plains Honors Council (Spring);
the National Council on Undergraduate Research (Spring), and the
Council on Undergraduate Research Posters-on-the-Hill (Spring). The
Honors College staff will work with students to help find sources of
funds for travel. When their thesis is complete, students and their
mentors are invited to submit journal length articles for review for
possible publication in the Honors College’s new refereed, on-line
undergraduate research journal, The Eagle Feather. Mentors
are also encouraged to collaborate with students on presentations at
professional conferences, and on publications in refereed
professional journals. The Eagle Feather may be viewed online
at
www.unt.edu/honors/eaglefeather.
Who to Contact. Honors faculty who may provide additional
information on the research track for either faculty or students
include:
Dr. Gloria Cox, Dean, Honors College, 940-565-3305,
gcox@unt.edu
Dr. Susan Eve, Associate Dean, Honors College, 940-565-4914,
eves@unt.edu
Dr. Connie Fickenscher, Academic Counselor, 940-565-3257,
connief@unt.edu
University of North Texas
Honors College
Chilton Hall 211
P.O. Box 310529
Denton, TX 76203-0529
|
