The chair of the department will invite astrophysics majors who have shown considerable ability by the end of their junior year to participate in the departmental honors program. Candidates for honors either (1) take 01:750:497,498, write a thesis, and conduct a seminar on a project undertaken in the senior year; or (2) take two physics and astronomy graduate courses. They also take advanced courses in addition to the required courses of the astrophysics curriculum. Honors are awarded on the basis of the excellence of the honors project (if applicable), general performance in physics and astrophysics courses, and recommendations of the faculty.