WHY IBH?
Highlights of IB Honors
|
|
The IB honors Program in the Integrative Biology major is a complete curriculum – designed to offer outstanding, highly motivated students the chance to experience all that biology has to offer at the University of Illinois.
With enrollment limited to 25-30 students per year and all classes and labs taught by outstanding professors, students are virtually assured the daily interactions with faculty that are critical to developing scientific techniques, critical thinking, and communication skills. Each year, participation in open-ended laboratory and field courses fosters cohesiveness among all the students in the program, creating a mutual support system unique among biology majors.
Three, semester-long core honors courses have one over-arching theme, the integration of biology at multiple levels of organization, from cells and molecules, to organisms, to ecosystems. Supplemented with a strong background in chemistry, the physical sciences, mathematics and statistics, and Independent Study research experiences, IB Honors students are among the best prepared students at the University, whether their career goals be professional schools (Medical, Veterinary, Dental or others), graduate school and research, conservation, or industry.
With enrollment limited to 25-30 students per year and all classes and labs taught by outstanding professors, students are virtually assured the daily interactions with faculty that are critical to developing scientific techniques, critical thinking, and communication skills. Each year, participation in open-ended laboratory and field courses fosters cohesiveness among all the students in the program, creating a mutual support system unique among biology majors.
Three, semester-long core honors courses have one over-arching theme, the integration of biology at multiple levels of organization, from cells and molecules, to organisms, to ecosystems. Supplemented with a strong background in chemistry, the physical sciences, mathematics and statistics, and Independent Study research experiences, IB Honors students are among the best prepared students at the University, whether their career goals be professional schools (Medical, Veterinary, Dental or others), graduate school and research, conservation, or industry.
|
|
Admission to the Program:
Application and admission to IB Honors occur in the Spring semester of the Freshman year. Informational meetings will be held in November of Fall semester and early February of the Spring semester. Students desiring the Honors Experience are interviewed individually, and notified of acceptance well in advance of pre-registration for the Fall semester.
To be accepted, students must have a 3.0 GPA by the end of their second semester, show evidence of success in math and science courses, and have a strong interest in biology. General chemistry should be completed before beginning IB Honors courses.
For Additional Information:Email: [email protected]
Phone: 217-333-3044
Application and admission to IB Honors occur in the Spring semester of the Freshman year. Informational meetings will be held in November of Fall semester and early February of the Spring semester. Students desiring the Honors Experience are interviewed individually, and notified of acceptance well in advance of pre-registration for the Fall semester.
To be accepted, students must have a 3.0 GPA by the end of their second semester, show evidence of success in math and science courses, and have a strong interest in biology. General chemistry should be completed before beginning IB Honors courses.
For Additional Information:Email: [email protected]
Phone: 217-333-3044
In the Program
Degree Requirements for Honors Integrative Biology starting Fall 2016:
The following program of study is effective beginning with the IBH Class 2019. For detailed requirements of the program for IBH Class 2018 and prior please visit here.
Minimum required courses normally equate to 80-91 hours.
Students completing the Integrative Biology Honors Concentration will also earn the CHEM minor.
Students pursuing a degree in Integrative Biology Honors will be allowed to earn a second degree in the Specialized Curriculum in Biochemistry. Students pursuing a degree in Integrative Biology Honors will not be allowed to double major in Molecular and Cellular Biology.
General education: Students must complete the Campus General Education requirements including the campus general education language requirement.
Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.
No more than 8 hours of credit in 100-level courses in IB or MCB may be counted toward graduation.
Students may count toward graduation no more than a combined maximum of 10 hours of IB 390 and IB 490 credit offered for independent study.
Substitutions or other changes in the requirements below may be made only by petition to and approval of the director of the Integrative Biology Honors Concentration.
Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours
Departmental distinction: Candidates for distinction must:
Students completing the Integrative Biology Honors Concentration will also earn the CHEM minor.
Students pursuing a degree in Integrative Biology Honors will be allowed to earn a second degree in the Specialized Curriculum in Biochemistry. Students pursuing a degree in Integrative Biology Honors will not be allowed to double major in Molecular and Cellular Biology.
General education: Students must complete the Campus General Education requirements including the campus general education language requirement.
Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.
No more than 8 hours of credit in 100-level courses in IB or MCB may be counted toward graduation.
Students may count toward graduation no more than a combined maximum of 10 hours of IB 390 and IB 490 credit offered for independent study.
Substitutions or other changes in the requirements below may be made only by petition to and approval of the director of the Integrative Biology Honors Concentration.
Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours
Departmental distinction: Candidates for distinction must:
- Consult with an IB Honors adviser no later than the beginning of their junior year to discuss their proposed research plan.
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.25 when applying for distinction.
- Present an acceptable written report on the research to the Integrative Biology Distinction Committee about two months prior to graduation. The research must have been an in-depth experience and produced substantial results to be considered eligible for distinction. Additional details on requirements, procedures, and deadlines are available at sib.illinois.edu/undergraduate/distinction.
1 LAS General Education courses required, minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours
2 Students must consult with IBH Director and IB advisor at least once each semester. Continuation in the Integrative Biology Honors option requires a grade of B or better in each of IB 270, IB 271, and IB 372 and an overall 3.0 GPA. IB 270, 271, and 372 are approved for James Scholar credit.
3 The CHEM 200-level sequence is recommended, and preference will be given on admission to students following it. Introductory chemistry should be completed prior to enrolling in IB 270
4 Advanced courses in Chemistry must be chosen in consultation with IBH Director and IB Advising Office.
5 NRES 421 is recommended for biostatistics. Other suitable courses are STAT 400 or CPSC 440 or other course approved by IBH Director.
6 ATM 421 is recommended for math/physical principles course. Other suitable courses are ANSC 448 or other course approved by IBH Director
2 Students must consult with IBH Director and IB advisor at least once each semester. Continuation in the Integrative Biology Honors option requires a grade of B or better in each of IB 270, IB 271, and IB 372 and an overall 3.0 GPA. IB 270, 271, and 372 are approved for James Scholar credit.
3 The CHEM 200-level sequence is recommended, and preference will be given on admission to students following it. Introductory chemistry should be completed prior to enrolling in IB 270
4 Advanced courses in Chemistry must be chosen in consultation with IBH Director and IB Advising Office.
5 NRES 421 is recommended for biostatistics. Other suitable courses are STAT 400 or CPSC 440 or other course approved by IBH Director.
6 ATM 421 is recommended for math/physical principles course. Other suitable courses are ANSC 448 or other course approved by IBH Director
Other Requirements:
Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.
All foreign language requirements must be satisfied.
No more than 8 hours of credit in 100-level courses in IB or MCB may be counted toward graduation.
Students may count toward graduation no more than a combined maximum of 10 hours of IB 390 and IB 490 credit offered for independent study.
Substitutions or other changes in the requirements given above may be made only by petition to and approval of the director of the Integrative Biology Honors Concentration.
Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.
All foreign language requirements must be satisfied.
No more than 8 hours of credit in 100-level courses in IB or MCB may be counted toward graduation.
Students may count toward graduation no more than a combined maximum of 10 hours of IB 390 and IB 490 credit offered for independent study.
Substitutions or other changes in the requirements given above may be made only by petition to and approval of the director of the Integrative Biology Honors Concentration.
|
|
For those concerned about the time commitments of the honors program, watch the above video "Beyond IBH" to hear directly from IBH students about their involvement on campus, in the community and around the world.
IB 490- Independent Research is a requirement for the IBH curriculum, and finding a lab can be a daunting feat for many incoming students. The "Labs & Independent Research" video is a collection of IBH students explaining their research experienes; how they got into labs, the type of research they work on, and the fruits of their labor.
IB 490- Independent Research is a requirement for the IBH curriculum, and finding a lab can be a daunting feat for many incoming students. The "Labs & Independent Research" video is a collection of IBH students explaining their research experienes; how they got into labs, the type of research they work on, and the fruits of their labor.
How well does IBH prepare one for Graduate and Medical School?
In the video to the right, "Further Eduaction", IBH students discuss how the honors program has benefited them in developing the skills essential to be successful in medical and/or graduate school as well as providing many opportunities to foster a more personal connection to faculty members that ultimately results in more powerful letters of recommendation. |
|
FAQ:
What is so cool about being in IB Honors?
A: You can start with the class size. Each year, a new group of only about 25 honors students is admitted, and they share the same IB Honors classes for the three semesters. Then there is the camaraderie. IB Honors students all have 24 h access to the classroom and lab, and use this as a place to study together or just hang out. Of course, it is often the case the IB Honors students find themselves in the same Chemistry, Math or Physics classes, too.The result? A high quality, "small college" experience in a very big, outstanding university, with a group of students who all share your passion for biology.
How do IB Honors classes differ from other biology classes?
A: First, in IB Honors, the three core biology classes are all lab classes taught by the actual, real-live professor. Are there TAs? Yes, but as additional resources for the students, not as the primary contacts. Second, the pace is generally much faster and in tune with the high quality of the students who have joined the program. No one goes away from a large lecture or a lab bored. They also don't tend to go away early; many labs are pretty intense exercises for both the students and the professors, while others are "open ended"... done when the needs of the experiment demand.
Can I be premed and in IB Honors? Don't I need to major in MCB in order to get into med school?
A: You can major in anything, even English or music, and go to med school. Med Schools don't have any requirements regarding the majors they accept. Be sure to check early and often with the Career Center about actual Med School requirements and preparation procedures. But also check with the IB advising office and subscribe to their newsletter to keep up to date.
About a third of IB Honors students are pre-med, or pre-vet, or pre-dent. The IB Honors curriculum is broad, rigorous and demanding, and "looks good on your resumé". It prepares you for any upper-level course in biology, regardless of the rubric or home department. IB Honors students in pre-med/vet/dent will undoubtedly take MCB courses. The breadth of interest of IB Honors students means they take biology classes all across campus.
Can I be in IB Honors and still do research?
A. Absolutely. In fact, IB Honors requires 6 hours (2-3 semesters) of independent study in a lab, and IBH students are much sought after by faculty all over campus. In practice, most IB Honors students start this in their sophomore year, or even as freshmen. This year, about 80% of the current students have been involved in research over the summer, with projects ranging from nitrogen-fixing bacteria that live in plants to stem cell research to drug discovery to biofuels to primate behavior in the Chimpanzee reserve in Uganda. The IB Honors faculty and TAs, and the previous classes of IB Honors students, are a great resource for identifying labs (both in IB and beyond) and projects to fit any student.
What if my goals don't involve research or health careers?
A: One "problem" with a career in biology is that there are so many possibilities that preparing for any one of them is a continuously evolving project. While the IB Honors faculty and academic advisors may be helpful in identifying a good path to start down, the fundamental truth of the matter is that any path is made easier by the kinds of good preparation that the IB Honors program affords.
Can I be in IB Honors and still be a James Scholar?
A: Good question, and of course, the answer is yes. In fact, all three of the core courses (IB 270, 271 and 372) carry James Scholar credit, as well as IB490 - the independent study course you would enroll in to do the required independent research in faculty labs. Students who are also Campus Honors Program still need to take the CHP courses, however.
Can I meet my Advanced Composition requirement in IB Honors?
A: Yes. IB 271 (Organismal Biology) satisfies the Advance Comp requirement.
Does the IB Honors curriculum leave any time for other activities?
A: You bet you. A number of current IB Honors students volunteer in hospitals, or serve as EMTs. At least one played in a rock band. One conducted a church choir. Others have organized charity events (e.g. 10 km runs), and helped in public school science teaching. Several have been TAs in Chem, and RAs in the residence halls. The IBH class of 2018 formed the UIUC chapter of Biology fraternity when they are sophomores! As a rule, IB Honors students seem to have gotten to the university and joined the program because they are both driven and well-organized. That itself can open up all kinds of time.
Can I be in IB Honors and still study abroad?
A: Yes. Because there is no set study abroad program, the details have to be worked out separately for each student. Be sure to check as early as you can with the Study Abroad office to get started.
Last year, more than 1800 students from UIUC studied abroad, for periods ranging from a month to a full year. They came from all colleges and majors and went to more than 20 countries. In AY 2009-2010, one of our IBH students is in England for the whole year. In AY 2010-2011 an IBH student is in Costa Rica. Others do one semester. The IB Honors faculty and academic advisors are strongly committed to this kind of experience. Don't hesitate to ask for help in working out your plan.
How do I get to talk to a real person about IB Honors?
A: The simplest and best way is to call Prof. Chris Cheng (333-2832) or stop by her lab (17E Burrill Hall), or email her (use the contact link at the bottom of the page) to set up a good time to meet. She keeps her schedule open to accommodate you, so she will ask what times are best for you.
What is so cool about being in IB Honors?
A: You can start with the class size. Each year, a new group of only about 25 honors students is admitted, and they share the same IB Honors classes for the three semesters. Then there is the camaraderie. IB Honors students all have 24 h access to the classroom and lab, and use this as a place to study together or just hang out. Of course, it is often the case the IB Honors students find themselves in the same Chemistry, Math or Physics classes, too.The result? A high quality, "small college" experience in a very big, outstanding university, with a group of students who all share your passion for biology.
How do IB Honors classes differ from other biology classes?
A: First, in IB Honors, the three core biology classes are all lab classes taught by the actual, real-live professor. Are there TAs? Yes, but as additional resources for the students, not as the primary contacts. Second, the pace is generally much faster and in tune with the high quality of the students who have joined the program. No one goes away from a large lecture or a lab bored. They also don't tend to go away early; many labs are pretty intense exercises for both the students and the professors, while others are "open ended"... done when the needs of the experiment demand.
Can I be premed and in IB Honors? Don't I need to major in MCB in order to get into med school?
A: You can major in anything, even English or music, and go to med school. Med Schools don't have any requirements regarding the majors they accept. Be sure to check early and often with the Career Center about actual Med School requirements and preparation procedures. But also check with the IB advising office and subscribe to their newsletter to keep up to date.
About a third of IB Honors students are pre-med, or pre-vet, or pre-dent. The IB Honors curriculum is broad, rigorous and demanding, and "looks good on your resumé". It prepares you for any upper-level course in biology, regardless of the rubric or home department. IB Honors students in pre-med/vet/dent will undoubtedly take MCB courses. The breadth of interest of IB Honors students means they take biology classes all across campus.
Can I be in IB Honors and still do research?
A. Absolutely. In fact, IB Honors requires 6 hours (2-3 semesters) of independent study in a lab, and IBH students are much sought after by faculty all over campus. In practice, most IB Honors students start this in their sophomore year, or even as freshmen. This year, about 80% of the current students have been involved in research over the summer, with projects ranging from nitrogen-fixing bacteria that live in plants to stem cell research to drug discovery to biofuels to primate behavior in the Chimpanzee reserve in Uganda. The IB Honors faculty and TAs, and the previous classes of IB Honors students, are a great resource for identifying labs (both in IB and beyond) and projects to fit any student.
What if my goals don't involve research or health careers?
A: One "problem" with a career in biology is that there are so many possibilities that preparing for any one of them is a continuously evolving project. While the IB Honors faculty and academic advisors may be helpful in identifying a good path to start down, the fundamental truth of the matter is that any path is made easier by the kinds of good preparation that the IB Honors program affords.
Can I be in IB Honors and still be a James Scholar?
A: Good question, and of course, the answer is yes. In fact, all three of the core courses (IB 270, 271 and 372) carry James Scholar credit, as well as IB490 - the independent study course you would enroll in to do the required independent research in faculty labs. Students who are also Campus Honors Program still need to take the CHP courses, however.
Can I meet my Advanced Composition requirement in IB Honors?
A: Yes. IB 271 (Organismal Biology) satisfies the Advance Comp requirement.
Does the IB Honors curriculum leave any time for other activities?
A: You bet you. A number of current IB Honors students volunteer in hospitals, or serve as EMTs. At least one played in a rock band. One conducted a church choir. Others have organized charity events (e.g. 10 km runs), and helped in public school science teaching. Several have been TAs in Chem, and RAs in the residence halls. The IBH class of 2018 formed the UIUC chapter of Biology fraternity when they are sophomores! As a rule, IB Honors students seem to have gotten to the university and joined the program because they are both driven and well-organized. That itself can open up all kinds of time.
Can I be in IB Honors and still study abroad?
A: Yes. Because there is no set study abroad program, the details have to be worked out separately for each student. Be sure to check as early as you can with the Study Abroad office to get started.
Last year, more than 1800 students from UIUC studied abroad, for periods ranging from a month to a full year. They came from all colleges and majors and went to more than 20 countries. In AY 2009-2010, one of our IBH students is in England for the whole year. In AY 2010-2011 an IBH student is in Costa Rica. Others do one semester. The IB Honors faculty and academic advisors are strongly committed to this kind of experience. Don't hesitate to ask for help in working out your plan.
How do I get to talk to a real person about IB Honors?
A: The simplest and best way is to call Prof. Chris Cheng (333-2832) or stop by her lab (17E Burrill Hall), or email her (use the contact link at the bottom of the page) to set up a good time to meet. She keeps her schedule open to accommodate you, so she will ask what times are best for you.