Students with a GPA (based on the last four full-time semesters of Cornell credits in residence, with a minimum of 48 letter graded credits) equal to or greater than 3.0 and who complete an acceptable research thesis will graduate with “distinction in research”.
As one of the largest undergraduate programs in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, we have a well-developed program for upperclass students. The award of the BS degree with Distinction in Research recognizes students who demonstrate an additional level of scholastic achievement, beyond what is required to graduate from CALS. The college sets the basic conditions for acceptance into the program, but we then establish the guidelines for a student to graduate with Distinction in Research. Prospective candidates typically explore opportunities for advanced undergraduate research with one or more faculty mentors and obtain commitments to join individual faculty research programs, sometime during the junior year (it can be done earlier). Students usually conduct an independent study involving experimentation (though an advanced, nonexperimental study may be acceptable). Much of this can be accomplished during the senior year although students are strongly encouraged to submit a small thesis for examination by the Thesis Research Committee. Students apply to the college, at the start of their penultimate undergraduate semester, to be accepted into the program. Students may apply for funds, available on a competitive basis, to offset some of the costs of their research (described on the CALS undergraduate research website). Application for Distinction in Research Honors Program can be found at: http://www.cals.cornell.edu/cals/current/student-research/honors/index.cfm.
Students usually undertake their thesis research work during the last 2 to 4 semesters. For some students the fall and spring semesters of the senior year are adequate for the program; other arrangements are possible for students who will graduate early.
The research work is usually undertaken for credit under the provisions of AS 4990 (Undergraduate Research) for students majoring in Animal Science with credit hours and grading option at the discretion of the candidate and his/her research mentor. This work may be undertaken with faculty elsewhere in the university, but in order to receive AS 4990 credit, there must be a Professor of Record from Animal Science who will enter the grade for the course. Candidates for Distinction in Research are required to take AS 4020 in the spring.
AS 4020 is a seminar class in which students develop and deliver formal scientific presentations within a peer-group setting during the semester when the students are completing their projects and writing their theses. The presentations are evaluated by instructors and others in the group, primarily to offer constructive criticism to the presenters. Students planning to graduate in December rather than May should enroll in AS 4020 before graduating.
Students are encouraged to present their work elsewhere, e.g., in university-wide undergraduate forums and (in agreement with their research mentors) at regional, national, or even international meetings of the various scientific societies. There are diverse sources of instructional funds available to offset the expense of participating in such meetings, and the university is proud to have its elite students become known in the scientific community.
Students are required to submit a thesis, embodying the results of their research efforts, for examination by members of the Thesis Research Committee. A low-key oral defense of the thesis concludes the formal requirements of our program. After incorporating suggestions on content or presentation, a bound copy of the thesis is lodged with the Department of Animal Science. Students and their research mentors may also elect to have their thesis published online by Mann Library. In addition, it is possible to submit the work for publication in a scientific journal or to incorporate the research into related research projects; this is entirely at the discretion of the investigators and is a matter that is outside the purview of the program.
I am interested - where can I find additional information?
Honors Thesis Guidelines
In addition, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences guidelines for all Honors Programs are presented in the general information section of the Course Catalog each year and at the following website: http://cals.cornell.edu/cals/current/student-research/honors/index.cfm
Discuss the program with your academic advisor (or any of the faculty in Animal Science or Cornell).
Where can I find out about undergraduate research opportunities?
Research exposure for undergraduates is an integral part of our instructional program and opportunities exist to work with virtually all research professionals (faculty and Research Associates). The research interests of each of the faculty, usually summarized on websites, are the most useful starting points. Faculty both within and outside of the Dept. of Animal Science can serve as research mentors in animal-related projects. If a particular program or small group of programs catches your interest, either discuss them with other students including graduate students whom you know, your academic advisor, or visit the researcher and explore possibilities that might exist.
I have set-up a research opportunity - what do I do next?
File a CALS Independent Study form, available from the Registrar, if you would like to obtain academic credit for the research experience. To do so requires that you to discuss with your research mentor the details concerning credit hours, work load and a general description of what you will do. Your academic advisor will review your plans and endorse the form. If you plan to work with a research mentor outside Animal Science, you will need to find a Professor of Record who is agreeable with your plans who will apply the grade decided upon for An Sci independent research credit.
What about being in the Honors Program?
In the fall of the senior year, obtain, complete and file the CALS form to apply to join the Honors Program. This form is separate from the Independent Study form that you may use to obtain academic credit for the research experience. The form is available online at: http://cals.cornell.edu/cals/current/student-research/honors/index.cfm
What is involved in the honors thesis requirement?
Full details on format, scope, size and deadlines for submission are made available to candidates for “Distinction in Research” and copies are provided to research mentors. The deadlines need to be enforced so that the Honors Committee can complete the overall evaluation of candidates in time to make recommendations to the CALS Registrar, before commencement, for the award of the degree, With Distinction in Research.
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What to do |
When to do it |
| Explore possibilities on research programs | anytime, but preferably by Fall semester, Junior year |
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Start background work, reading and planning, |
ideally, during Spring semester junior year or earlier----continue during summer break between Junior-Senior year, if possible |
| Pre-register for AS 4990 if you desire academic credit for the research experience | Spring, Junior year etc, as applicable |
| Apply for acceptance into the Honors Program | By 6th week of Fall semester senior year |
| Start research project | Fall, Senior year (or earlier - some projects begin before gaining acceptance into the Honors Program) |
Pre-register for AS 4020, offered in the spring Register for additional AS 4990 credit if applicable |
Fall, Senior year |
| Complete research and write thesis | Spring, Senior year - finalized thesis due in mid-April |