University Catalogue: 2009-10
University Honors Program and Courses
This program provides an extra measure of challenge and enrichment for students who are academically distinguished by previous and current achievements and by high levels of motivation and curiosity. It seeks to challenge exceptionally able students to perform at the highest level of which they are capable, to enhance their capacity for critical inquiry and for independent learning, and to develop their potential for leadership in their future vocations.
The UW-Eau Claire Honors Program has two components: University Honors and Departmental/College Honors. Students may complete one component or both.
Honors Program participation is documented on the student’s University record, thus enhancing his or her opportunity for future acceptance by graduate or professional schools or in gaining preferred employment.
University Honors. In small classes designed for honors students and in special sections of regular courses, honors students are provided opportunities for close interaction with faculty and with other honors students. The content of these courses is designed to stimulate and challenge students of superior ability. The distinctiveness of honors courses lies not so much in additional work required of students as in the type and level of performance experienced by students and faculty.
Admission to the University Honors Program. Criteria for admission as an incoming freshman involve a student’s academic standing in his or her high school graduating class and scores achieved on either the ACT or SAT. Students who are admitted to UW-Eau Claire and who meet the criteria will be invited to enter the program upon their first registration for courses. Students who have completed at least one semester of work at UW-Eau Claire may be admitted after demonstrating superior academic performance including attaining at least a 3.67 GPA.
Requirements. A student will be graduated with University Honors provided the following requirements are met:
1. Attainment of a resident and total GPA of at least 3.50.
2. Completion of one-credit first-year seminar, Hnrs 100.
3. Completion of at least 12 credits of University Honors colloquia courses (at least two courses at the 300-level).
OR
If Hnrs 410: Mentoring in Honors is completed, nine credits of Honors Colloquia courses (at least one course at 300-level).
4. Completion of at least 12 credits of University Honors elective courses
OR
If Hnrs 420: Tutoring in Honors is completed, nine credits of Honors Elective courses. These courses may be used to meet General Education, major, or minor requirements as well as the requirements of the Honors Program. However, no more than one course from any department may be used to
5. Completion of Hnrs 400: Senior Honors Seminar (one credit).
Honors Program courses may not be audited or taken for a Satisfactory/ Unsatisfactory grade.
One AP course with a score of at least 4 may be substituted for one of the required electives.
An appropriate designation will be placed on the student’s record upon completion of honors courses and of the program. Credits earned in honors courses meet graduation requirements whether or not the program is completed. A schedule of available honors courses may be obtained from the Director of the University Honors Program.
HONORS SEMINARS
HONORS COLLOQUIA
These are courses especially designed for honors students and usually embrace more than the approach of a single academic discipline. They may be used to meet General Education requirements. The relevant category in General Education is indicated by the final digit of the course number. Thus Honors 102 would apply to the requirements in Category II: Natural Sciences.
The content of colloquia varies from semester to semester but is designed to fulfill requirements in General Education Categories. The following nine colloquia, offered at the freshman and junior levels, are applicable to one of the four General Education categories:
Department or College Honors. Various departments offer students the opportunity to earn honors in their major programs. These involve a pattern of upper-level coursework designed for students who meet the eligibility requirements. For information on departmental or college honors programs, consult the catalogue descriptions of programs offered by departments or colleges or inquire at department or college offices or at the office of the Director of the University Honors Program.
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