The HTC program in the Geological Sciences will offer high-achieving students curriculum in which to focus on geology and its allied sciences. After following courses in physical geology, historical geology, stratigraphy/sedimentology, geomorphology, igneous petrology, petrography, and structural geology, HTC students will take capstone courses in geodynamics, earth system science, and field camp in addition to chemistry, physics (or biology), and calculus requirements. Writing courses will enhance the scientific communication skills of the students. Students will work with professors in geology tutorials. This experience will then culminate in a bachelors thesis research project that will be presented at a geological meeting. Students would receive a Bachelor of Science degree from the Honors Tutorial College and be prepared for graduate study in any geologic discipline.
TUTORIALS
Students will be required to participate in eight tutorials (one for each semester enrolled in the program). In the final year, the tutorials will be dedicated to thesis work. Honors Tutorial students must take a minimum of 15 hours a semester.
ADVISING AND MONITORING
Each student will meet with the Director of Studies regularly to assess progress in the program and to identify tutorial professors each semester. Tutorial professors will meet with students each week for a minimum of one hour to read and discuss papers or textbook extracts, covering the particular focus of the tutorial, as decided upon by professor and student. An undergraduate thesis adviser will be identified by the end of the first semester of the third year of study. A thesis committee of three professors, including the thesis advisor, will then be established and a thesis prospectus written and approved by the end of the second semester of the third year of study.
HONOR THESIS
Research within the honors thesis research project will reflect the interests of the student and his/her thesis advisor. The thesis prospectus will be 10 pages long and must include an annotated bibliography with a minimum of 20 entries. It is expected that this research will be presented at a geology meeting venue as a poster or oral presentation. A high-quality publishable study with data collection is expected from an honors tutorial student.
EVALUATION
Each honors tutorial student is expected to maintain a GPA of 3.5 or above. Tutorial grades will be evaluated based on assignments and quality of discussion with the tutorial professor. The Director of Studies will discuss progress within the program with the
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honors tutorial student every semester.