Departmental Honors in Geography
Students are encouraged to consider graduating with Honors in Geography toward the end of their junior year. This award lends distinction to a resume, and facilitates progress toward a higher degree by providing the student with the opportunity to become involved with original research under the supervision of a faculty member.
The Honors sequence consists of 6 hours of coursework:
GRG 679HA - Honors Tutorial and GRG 679HB - Honors Tutorial-W.
Typically, but not always, GRG 679HA is completed in the first semester of a student's senior year. This course consists of formulating the research problem through collaboration with a faculty member, and beginning the literature search and a discussion of methods for pursuing the topic. GRG 679HB is completed during the student's graduating semester, and consists of writing up and presenting a fifty or so page draft document to the faculty guide. The faculty member will edit and comment upon the paper and provide feedback in time for the student to complete a final copy, which will be catalogued by the University of Texas Library. This entire honors sequence consists of completing original research and writing an undergraduate honors thesis supervised by a faculty member of your choice.
Dr. Miller is very pleased to meet with you to discuss a possible commitment to graduating with Departmental Honors and collaborates with the undergraduate advisor in this mission. Dr. Miller can help you sift through your ideas and interests and will guide you toward a faculty member who may prove to be a suitable supervisor for your honors thesis. You may already have an idea of whom you wish to work. Then, you will approach that faculty member in order to discuss your project and solicit input. When you and the faculty member agree to the two-semester honors sequence, you will both sign a "restricted course authorization" form for GRG 679HA, with a brief description of topic to be researched. Contact the undergraduate advisor to obtain the "restricted course authorization" form, so that you may enroll in the honors program. You and your supervising professor will set up meeting times concerning your research and thesis writing.
Please also visit the Liberal Arts Honors Programs Office in Gebauer Building, Room 1.206. There you may obtain a list of Upper Division courses that contribute toward you graduating with Honors in the College of Liberal Arts (in addition to Honors in Geography). You may also request a Senior Thesis Manual that lists the format of the final Honors Thesis, and importantly learn about valuable scholarship opportunities for your Departmental Honors research.
Read more about scholarships
In order to officially graduate with Departmental Honors on your UT transcript, you must have:
- A minimum 3.0 cumulative UT GPA
- A minimum 3.5 GPA in Geography
- A grade of "A" in GRG 679HA
- A grade of "A" in GRG 679HB
- Completion of at least 60 credit hours "in residence" at UT
