There are two parts to the examination:
- The honors thesis, your written report (that serves as the written
part of the exam)
- And the oral exam
The style of the final report depends upon the student's Honors Thesis
Adviser and the departmental requirements.
The honors thesis should be bound and labeled with the project title
and student's name on the outside and will remain in the Agricultural
Library for future reference and use by other honors students.
The honors student must submit a copy of the final report to the
Examination Committee at least two working days prior to the oral
examination if the traditional exam option is elected. It is the
responsibility of the Examination Committee, and ultimately the faculty
adviser, to be sure the final copy is bound, includes any changes
recommended by the Examining Committee during the examination, and is
in the college office by the deadline.
The oral portion of the exam can be met by either a traditional exam
approximately one hour in length, participation in the Denman
competition (held each spring), or a presentation at a scientific
meeting.
If the traditional exam is selected, there must be three faculty
members on the Examining Committee including the Honors Thesis
Advisor(s) and two other faculty members. If either the Denman
competition or scientific presentation is selected, then the Honors
Thesis Advisor(s) evaluates completion of the project and distinction
with or without honors.
The student's performance on both portions and the quality of the
project will be considered in determining a recommendation of with or
without distinction in the major(s). The recommendation should be
confirmed by the signature of the Honors Thesis Advisor and
Departmental Honors Program Coordinator.
The examination is normally held the last quarter of the senior year or
at the appropriate time for a student in the Agriculture-Graduate
Program. Questions are not meant to ferret out details but to test a
student's judgment and understanding of the field of study including
the project or thesis. The examination is arranged by the student's
adviser.
In advance of the examination, the Honors Director will send the Honors
Thesis Advisor the appropriate form(s) for certifying the results of
the examination. After the examination, the advisor will complete the
form and return the original to the Honors Director. The Honors Thesis
Advisor should notify the student of the outcomes.