Environmental and Biological Sciences "Legacy" Curriculum
The SEBS General Honors Program provides highly motivated and promising students a challenging intellectual environment. Honors students participate in a four-year program that includes interdisciplinary seminars and a graduated introduction to research.
| Year | Curriculum |
|---|---|
| First Year |
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| Sophomore Year |
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| Junior Year |
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| Senior Year |
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Honors Seminars
The team-taught seminars take an interdisciplinary approach to a different topic each year. Some recent topics include
- About That Question - How to ask questions and organize ways to develop answers.
- Global Equine Industry - Explore international differences in equine management.
- Mapping and Making Healthier Communities - Hands on computer exercises to improve community health.
- Building and Using Sensors - Design and construct a sensing system to fly on a drone.
Honors Tutorials
Recent student research topics include
- Effects of Biodiversity on Community Closure in Protozoan Microcosms
- Developing a Protocol for the Analysis of Gelatin Capsule Degradation and Content Release
- Feasibility Study of Wind Turbines as an Alternative Energy Source for Jersey Shore Communities
- Changes in Cryphonectria parasitica Gene Expression Caused by Infection with Two Reoviruses
- Effect of TPA Alone and in Combination with Capsaicin on the Growth and Differentiation of Breast Cancer Line MCF-7
Activities
The honors program sponsors occasional theater trips, receptions, movie nights, picnics and other activities suggested by the students.
Application Procedure
Students interested in being considered for honors can learn more about opportunities for the coming year.
NEW Curriculum Selection for Current Students
If you wish or need to switch to the NEW Honors College Curriculum, you must complete the form below no later than Sunday, February 01, 2026, 11:59pm.
Before making the decision to change curriculums, which is an irrevocable decision, you must first speak to your School-based Honors College Advisors(s) who reside in SEBS. Please make sure that you understand the consequences of a switch and have a clear picture of all that will be newly required or will have compatibility across both curriculums.
If you do not complete the form, it is assumed that you will continue in your current SEBS Honors "Legacy" Curriculum.
You may also visit Degree Navigator to explore how the options will impact your current path. UseCODE: NBHC to load the new Honors College curriculum and assess your course work.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why am I now part of the Honors College?
The integration of the Honors Programs into the Honors College was effected on 01 July 2025 after a year-long process. It was determined that having one, unified honors community would expand, strengthen, and enrich the opportunities for student success and coalesce the structures and administration of honors across campus in ways that will be positive for all involved. As the Honors College already has an extensive structure--curricular, co-curricular, extra-curricular, residential, social, and scholarships--it was decided that it would be best to sustain it as the defining entity.
Am I required to do a Capstone as a "Legacy" SEBS student?
No. Students in the SEBS Honors Program curriculum do not have to complete a Capstone as a program requirement. You may continue as you have and will graduate as an Honors College Scholar. If you wish to take on a Capstone then you will have to either undertake a George C. Cook Scholar project or switch to the NEW Honors College Curriculum, complete a Capstone project (selecting from a list of seven different options), and then you would be able to graduate as an Honors College Scholar with Distinction.
Has anything changed for continuing/"Legacy" SEBS students?
Yes, two things have changed, even if you do not change your curriculum. First, the Honors College Common Reading is now an opportunity open to all Honors College students and it will be included as a foundational text and the foundation for several of our Academic Year programs, panels, and discussions. Second, the required GPA for "good standing" in the Honors College has been set at a 3.25 for both the semester and cumulative outcomes.
Where do I go for help in understanding all the changes, potential changes, and to get answers about the Honors College moving forward?
As always, please go to your Advisor(s) in SEBS, including any identified School-based Honors College advisors. Please visit the Honors College Advising webpage to learn who now serves as your advisor. All academic and curricular should be directed to these individuals. If you have questions about Honors College co-curricular, extra-curricular, residential, or social events, you should reach out to the Honors College Program Directors or Deans.