PURPOSE: The purpose of this program is to provide opportunity for qualified students to distinguish themselves in Biology.

QUALIFICATIONS: The student making application shall at the time of application have a minimum of 75 semester hours of credit, a 3.25 grade point average in the department of the major, and a 3.0 overall grade point average, as verified by the Office of the Registrar.

PROCESS:

1. The candidate in consultation with the department chairperson shall select a member of the department faculty as advisor. While normally the student may have already consulted with a particular faculty member, this is not a requirement. The advisor shall confirm acceptance in writing. The advisor shall serve as chairperson of the advisory committee and arrange all meetings and guide the student in undertaking a special study.
2. The candidate in cooperation with the distinction project advisor shall delimit a program of study and shall prepare a tentative thesis statement concerning the purpose of the study and the probable plan of procedure.
3. A distinction advisory committee shall be recommended by the student, distinction project advisor, and department chair concerned after consultation with potential committee members. The committee shall have a minimum of five members, the majority of whom shall represent a variety of departments other than the major department of the student. The department chairperson is an ex officio member of the committee, if not a regular member.
4. Recommendations shall be submitted to the dean of the college, who, upon approval, shall request persons nominated to serve. The committee members shall confirm acceptance in writing.
5. The distinction advisory committee shall conduct a qualifying oral examination for purposes of becoming acquainted with the student, examining the student's general educational background and evaluating the proposed study and providing guidelines for its conduct. A three-fourths favorable vote by this committee is required for approval.
6. When the oral exam has been conducted and the project thesis approved, written notification must be provided to the Office of the Registrar. Notification must be accomplished no later than the beginning of the first week of the semester in which the student plans to participate in commencement exercises. Notification of acceptance of the project must coincide with the semester in which the student plans commencement participation, regardless of degree award date.)
7. The distinction advisory committee may be called to extra sessions by the advisor or by the student in the event that additional assistance is needed.
8. The special subject shall be completed in not less than one semester or more than one calendar year from the date of approval by the distinction advisory committee. During this period, except for the summer session, the student must be regularly enrolled in this institution. No study for distinction may be initiated during the student's commencement semester.
9. At least seven weeks prior to his/her commencement, the student shall submit typed copies of the completed special study to all members of the advisory committee, including the department chairperson and the distinction project advisor. Within one week of receipt of the report and not less than six weeks prior to commencement, the committee shall meet in oral examination session to evaluate the project and approve without change, approve with suggested revisions, or reject the study. If revision is necessary, one week shall be allowed for it. Upon approval, the committee shall recommend the student to the dean of the college for graduation with distinction. Whether the project is accepted or rejected, notification must be provided to the Office of the Registrar no less than five weeks prior to commencement.
10. Two copies of the special study shall be presented to the department and one copy to the Collections Librarian at the time of final acceptance by the committee. Copies must be suitable for binding.

RECOGNITION: Upon timely completion of all steps in the above process, recognition shall be given the student as follows:

1. Academic Distinction in (department name) on diploma, permanent record, and commencement program.
2. Letter of commendation from the dean of the college.
3. Publicity in all pertinent publicity releases.
4. Medallion, indicating academic distinction, to be worn at commencement. Ordered by Office of the Registrar, billed to the department issuing academic distinction.
   NOTE: The medallion will be awarded only if the distinction project acceptance notification is provided to the Office of the Registrar a minimum of five weeks in advance of the student's commencement exercise.

Students who do not meet established deadlines will not receive the recognitions outlined above.

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