In the third year, students who have maintained a 3.2 university cumulative grade-point average may apply to the chairperson of their major department to be admitted into the James J. Slade Scholars Program.
Upon admission to the program, each scholar prepares a plan of study under the guidance of a faculty committee and the Honors Committee of the School of Engineering. The chairperson of the student`s committee acts as the thesis adviser and should be a member of the student`s major department. Although great flexibility is permitted, each engineering program is planned to meet the definition of an engineering curriculum as stated by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. A Slade scholar`s program requires independent research and a thesis that results in a total number of credits that is 6 credits beyond the minimum required for graduation. The thesis, describing the student`s investigations, is presented at a public seminar of the college. With the approval of the student`s committee, courses of equivalent stature may be substituted for any four of the required technical courses in the regular program. Any course that is below the student`s current status in his or her major field is counted as an additional overload.
At the end of each term, the student`s committee formally reports on the candidate`s progress to the Honors Committee of the college. Continuance as a designated candidate depends upon continued satisfactory progress. Upon successful completion of the honors program and with the recommendation of the committee, department, and the Honors Committee, the student receives a special honors certificate. Successful completion of the honors program is also noted in the list of degrees and honors conferred in the commencement program.
