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College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

CALS Honors Program: Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are the deadlines for submitting a proposal and final thesis?

    If you are graduating Spring 2025:

    • Proposal is due to CALS Honors Program Director by Friday, September 20, 2024
    • Thesis (signed and approved by your thesis mentor and Departmental Honors Coordinator) is due to CALS Honors Program Director by Friday, March 28, 2025. Please note, if you are a CALS Biology major and wish to be considered for the Biology Honors Awards, you need to turn your completed thesis into Dr. Mutahi by March 15, 2025.

    If you are graduating Summer 2025:

    • Proposal is due to CALS Honors Program Director by Friday, February 7, 2025
    • Thesis (signed and approved by your thesis mentor and Departmental Honors Coordinator) is due to CALS Honors Program Director by Thursday, July 3, 2025. Please note, if you are a CALS Biology major and wish to be considered for the Biology Honors Awards, you need to turn your completed thesis into Dr. Mutahi by June 20, 2025.

    If you are graduating Fall 2024:

    • Proposal is due to CALS Honors Program Director by Friday, May 31, 2024
    • Thesis (signed and approved by your thesis mentor and Departmental Honors Coordinator) is due to CALS Honors Program Director by Friday, November 8, 2024. Please note, if you are a CALS Biology major and wish to be considered for the Biology Honors Awards, you need to turn your completed thesis into Dr. Mutahi by October, 20, 2024.
  • What is an Honors thesis?

    An Honors thesis is a written report of a creative, scholarly project dealing with teaching, research, or outreach. It has clear objectives and conclusions and involves original, independent work of the student. It is NOT a book report or literature review of a topic, an opinion paper on why something is good or bad, or a paper that lacks novel and critical analysis.

  • How long is a typical CALS thesis?

    There is no length requirement; typically theses are 10-50 pages double spaced, not counting figures, tables, literature cited, and appendices. The focus is quality, not quantity.

  • Should I do an Honors thesis?

    Yes, if you:

    • Are in the CALS Honors Program
    • Wish to graduate from UF with magna or summa cum laude Latin Honors
    • Like to work one-on-one with distinguished faculty
    • Can devote up to several hours per week to your project
    • Are self-motivated and manage time effectively
    • Wish to enhance your qualifications for graduate or professional school admission
  • Who can I contact to obtain more information?