Honors Science Requirement Added to HUHC Graduate Designation

During the spring 2008 semester Dean Warren Frisina and the HUHC Council announced the first amendment to HUHC requirements since they were established in 2001. Beginning with the Class of 2013, HUHC students pursuing the HUHC Graduate designations will be required to earn at least three of their honors credits in the natural sciences, mathematics or computer sciences.

The reason for the change stems from a feeling among many faculty and some students that the natural sciences have not been adequately represented in the HUHC curriculum to date. While the humanities and social sciences are well covered in Culture & Expression, there has never been a way to ensure that all HUHC students will pursue at least some of their honors work in this vital part of the liberal arts.

Associate Dean Neil Donahue said, “Living as we do in a world that is constantly changing in response to scientific discoveries, mathematical insights, and developing computer systems, it seemed obvious to us that we needed to find a way to ensure that this area receives special attention in the honors curriculum.”

According to Dean Frisina, “The imbalance in our curriculum developed years ago because of the distinction in the natural sciences between courses designed for majors and those that are for non-majors. Most HUHC science majors do at least some of their honors work in the sciences. Non-science majors, by contrast, typically haven’t had many opportunities to do so. With many new permanent honors options (PHOs) coming online in biology, math and other areas, we’re pleased to be able to strike a better balance than we have in the past.”

Speaking about the change, Dean Frisina said, “This amendment to the HUHC Graduate requirements. It helps us to make good on our commitment to build a curriculum that is grounded in all of the liberal arts, while being fully compatible with programs in every department, major and school in the University.”