Biological Sciences

The Honors Tutorial College program in biological sciences offers exceptional students the opportunity to study the many aspects of biology in one-on-one interaction primarily with Biological Sciences and Biomedical Sciences faculty members. Maximum opportunities will be provided for the student to excel well beyond the material found in conventional courses. The primary purpose of the tutorial program is to serve as preparation for graduate or professional study. Students will receive the degree of Bachelor of Science from the Honors Tutorial College.

Tutorials and Honors Thesis

Students are required to complete six tutorials on topics related to biological and biomedical sciences in their first three years. A typical tutorial will meet on a weekly basis for a minimum of one hour and be combined with lab and/or field work. The student and the tutor will discuss seminal as well as current publications, discuss problems and solutions, debate, and offer critical analysis.  The tutor continuously evaluates the progress of the student. A final grade is made based on many facets of evaluation available to the tutor: written assignments, written exams, oral exams, discussions, presentations by the student, field work, etc. Each student will receive letter grades for the tutorial, and tutors complete semester based tutorial descriptions and evaluations of each student's tutorial work.

During their senior year, they will complete two tutorials devoted for their own research project and write an Honors Thesis. The honors thesis is a reflection of the student's special interests. The research project will be conducted in the laboratory of a faculty mentor. The thesis work will be monitored and approved by his or her thesis mentor, the director of studies, and the Dean of the College. It is expected that the research will be original and independent work with a high quality.

In addition to the tutorials, the student must complete one Written Communication course (ENG 1510) and one Advanced Writing course (FAW), all core courses not covered by tutorials, and an appropriate number of approved electives. Through the tutorials and biological sciences core courses, students must demonstrate their sophisticated understanding of the fields of biology. Internships and/or study abroad may be included within the program with special permission from the director of studies. Honors Tutorial College students take a minimum of 15 hours per semester.

Advising and Evaluation

Each student receives advice from the director of studies regarding courses, choice of a thesis advisor, and other procedural matters every semester. Students throughout the program earn letter grades consistent with the University grading system and are expected to maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Students who earn less than a B (3.0), or who maintain less than a 3.5 GPA will need to confer with the director of studies and/or the Dean of the College. In addition to excellence in their academic work, students must meet high expectations as a member of the HTC community with professional work ethics and responsibilities.

Freshmen will be admitted to the College on a selective basis. Normally, you will need to be in the top 20 percent of your high school class, with a strong college preparatory curriculum. You are expected to have above-average GPA (3.0 or better) and also have demonstrated leadership potential through participation in extracurricular activities or work experience. Members of groups that are historically underrepresented in business will receive special consideration.

• Provide a recent TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test score. See minimum requirements below. IELTS reports should be sent directly from the testing agency. TOEFL results should be sent electronically directly from the testing agency (school code 1593). Duolingo English Test results can be shared online with Ohio University once your test has been certified.

  English Proficiency Minimum Score Requirements
  TOEFL Paper: 520 (composition score of 5)
  TOEFL Internet (IBT): 68 (writing subscore of 17)
  IELTS: 6.0 (no sub-score below 5.5)
  Duolingo English Test: 95

• Complete at least three years in a high school in an English-speaking system, including three years of high school English (not ESL) courses with a grade of B or better.

• Submit an ACT composite score of 21 with 21 ACT English and 21 ACT Reading subscores.

• Submit a 1060 SAT Total with 540 SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing subscore.

• Have completed the equivalent of Ohio University's English 1510: Writing and Rhetoric I (Freshman Composition) with a grade of C or better. Course equivalency will be determined during the application process.

Successful graduates of the biological sciences honors tutorial program are highly competitive applicants for graduate school or professional school (medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, physical therapy, etc.).

• Application form
• USD $70 international application processing fee
• Academic records from every secondary/post-secondary institution you have attended, with a certified or attested translation if the original document is not in English. Unofficial academic records may be submitted via email to [email protected] to receive an admissions decision. Official academic records must be provided upon arrival to campus, before the first day of classes, or sent by mail in envelopes sealed and stamped by one of the following:
  • Your school or university
  • Ministry of Education of your home country
  • EducationUSA or related binational organization
    
    Please note: We cannot accept scanned or faxed copies as official results. ​​​​​​​​Official academic records must be submitted by mail, as previously noted, to:
    
    Undergraduate Admissions
    Chubb Hall 120
    1 Ohio University
    Athens OH 45701 - USA
• Official proof of English proficiency, if available. TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo exams should be taken within the last 12 months.
• Proof of citizenship: a copy of your passport information page.
• Evidence of sufficient funding to support your educational and living expenses for a 9-month period. Learn more about the necessary amount on our Costs & Aid page. Your financial documentation must include:
  • A letter from your sponsor confirming the amount of funding that will be provided and stating your relationship to the sponsor (a PDF sample sponsor form is available but not required) and a letter or statement from your sponsor's bank confirming that the funding is available in an accessible account. The name on the bank document must match the sponsor letter and must be written in English.
  • If you will receive a government or other external scholarship, please provide proof of nomination of the award with your application packet.
• Optional materials can be submitted to Undergraduate Admissions via postal mail or by emailing [email protected]. Optional materials may include:
  • Standardized test scores, if applicable. Ohio University has adopted a test-optional pathway for freshman applicants to the Athens campus. If you choose to submit standardized test scores, they must be submitted directly from the testing agency: SAT (school code 1593) or ACT (school code 3314). Ohio University considers the Evidenced-based Reading and Writing scores from the SAT.
  • Essays
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Lists of extra-curricular interests and activities