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HONORS IS THE PLACE. HONORS IS THE PLACE. THE HONORS COLLEGE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON

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Page 1: Honors Viewbook

HONORS IS THE PLACE.HONORS IS THE PLACE.THE HONORS COLLEGE

UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON

Page 2: Honors Viewbook

“I decided to join Honors because I wanted to be able to fulfill higher

standards and be in an environment that required critical thinking and

exceptional work.”

—Cesar Muñiz, Accounting

2 University of Houston

Page 3: Honors Viewbook

WELCOME TO THE PLACE OF EXCELLENCEThe University of Houston is a powerhouse of innovation. Recognized as a Tier One research institution and one of the nation’s best colleges, UH values student success, leadership, and service. Our campus incorporates 12 academic colleges, offering 130 undergraduate majors and minors. The University serves more than 40,000 students from across the United States and around the world.

At the heart of the University of Houston is the Honors College, home to UH’s most academically talented undergraduates. Visit us and find out more about the supportive small-college environment we have created within this great research university.

3The Honors College

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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE HONORS COMMUNITYThe Honors College at the University of Houston serves the intellectual needs of gifted undergraduates. All majors are welcome — our students are “dual citizens,” belonging to both the Honors College and the college associated with their field of study at the university.

We provide the careful guidance, flexibility, and personal instruction that nurture excellence. The Honors College offers the best of both worlds — the advantages of a small college with the resources and rich diversity of a large university. Our faculty and staff believe that a university education should provide more than the acquisition of skills for the workplace. The Honors College challenges the university’s finest students to develop the attributes of mind and character that enhance all facets of life.

University of Houston4

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“My entire college career stems from Honors. I’m an ambassador, a mentor, a TA — everything I do comes from this college.”

—Megan Prather, Psychology and Accounting

PREMIER FACULTY

SPECIAL COURSES

PRIORITY COURSE REGISTRATION

INDIVIDUALIZED ADVISING

ACCESSIBLE FACULTY & STAFF

SCHOLARSHIPS

VIBRANT COMMUNITY

STATE-OF-THE-ART RESIDENCE HALLS

UNIQUE MINORS & PROGRAMS

STUDY ABROAD

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH

SMALL CLASSES FOR ALL MAJORS

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

COMPUTER FACILITIES

RESERVED LOUNGE & STUDY AREAS

COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS

GRADUATION WITH DISTINCTION

DISTINGUISHED SPEAKERS

THE HONORS ADVANTAGETHE HONORS ADVANTAGE

5The Honors College

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DRIVEN.DIVERSE. TOP OF THE CLASS.DRIVEN.DIVERSE. TOP OF THE CLASS.

Men

Women

53%

47%

GENDER DISTRIBUTION

Asian

African American

Hispanic

White

Other/Not Reported

28%

6%

19%

43%

4%

ETHNIC DISTRIBUTION

Top 10%

Next 10%

Below 20%

Unranked

52%

22%

16%

10%

DISTRIBUTION OF CLASS RANK IN SECONDARY SCHOOL

OUR STUDENTS ARE

A LOOK AT THE ENTERING CLASSES OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS

1400 – 1600

1300 – 1399

1200 – 1299

1100 – 1199

Below 1100

18%

39%

28%

12%

3%

DISTRIBUTION OF SAT SCORES (MATH AND VERBAL SCORES ONLY)

TOTAL

SAT

MATH VERBALAVG. MATH 661 AVG. VERBAL 645

AVG. COMPOSITE SAT 1306

6 University of Houston

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DISTRIBUTION OF COLLEGESDISTRIBUTION OF COLLEGES

2%

13%

2%

17%

2%

25%

25%

5%

2%

ARCHITECTURE

BUSINESS

EDUCATION

ENGINEERING

HOTEL & RESTAURANTMANAGEMENT

LIBERAL ARTS & SOCIAL SCIENCES

NATURAL SCIENCES & MATHEMATICS

PRE-PHARMACY

TECHNOLOGY

UNDECLARED 7%The Honors College 7

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HONORS COLLEGE CURRICULUMHONORS COLLEGE CURRICULUM“I took Honors Intro to Psychology with Dr. Capuozzo. She’s awesome! She’s well

versed on everything psychology. She was fun and energetic, and the class size was 20 people. It was relaxed while at the same time challenging.”

—Kevin Kock, Psychology and Communication Sciences & Disorders

“I had a cool experience in Human Situation because I had two different discussion leaders and I got to see two different teaching styles. If you put

forth the effort and make sure that you do your readings and get involved, you’re going to learn a lot — and not just about the text. The Human Situation forces you to look inward at yourself,

which is a good thing to do in your freshman year.”

—Christian Madison, Entrepreneurship

8 University of Houston

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Our curriculum is designed to coordinate with and complement all degree plans offered at the University of Houston. You will fulfill many of your university core and major requirements through alternative Honors versions of courses that take the place of regular classes.

The curriculum begins with the Human Situation, a year-long “great conversation” that becomes a model of lifelong learning grounded in classic texts, concepts, and questions. The Human Situation is a shared experience, connecting the entire Honors community: current students, alumni, and faculty.

For many Honors students, the Senior Honors Thesis represents the exciting culmination of a bachelor’s degree. A thesis provides an excellent opportunity for you to work under the direction of faculty in your chosen field of study, applying your skills and knowledge toward the completion of a scholarly or creative project.

THE HUMAN SITUATION As part of their liberal education, Honors students take a two-semester great books course called “The Human Situation.” In the fall semester, we begin the study of our cultural heritage by examining texts from the Greek, Roman, Hebrew, Christian, and Islamic cultures of antiquity. The modern world is deeply rooted in these cultures, and they were themselves inspired and shaped by Homer’s epic poems; by Platonic philosophy; and by the Hebrew Bible, New Testament, and Qur’an. These key texts, or “classics,” present compelling, if not always harmonious, insights into human situations. The greatest thinkers of antiquity concerned themselves with the elaboration, criticism, and reconciliation of these powerful ideas, and in doing so they took up once again the intriguing question of how to live one’s life. The result of their efforts is a shared and open conversation concerning the most important matters for human beings.

The “Antiquity” semester of Human Situation also features a writing program comprising lectures, labs, and customized materials, as well as peer tutor and faculty support. The program aims to elevate both the stylistic and critical facets of students’ writing to the high level appropriate to Honors classes.

In the spring “Modernity” semester, we continue our study and interpretation of these cultural traditions. Guided by careful readings of what others have written, we attempt to discover our own ideas and commitments by speaking and writing about these texts. In the Human Situation, we learn to develop and refine our participation in the “great conversation.”

9The Honors College

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Our students participate in a wide range of challenging and stimulating programs that will help them develop into the next generation of

professionals and leaders.

HONORS MINORS & PROGRAMSHONORS MINORS & PROGRAMS

“In the Honors College, I pursue a minor in Medicine and Society, and my favorite class so far has been my Readings in Medicine and Society class taught by Dr. Valier. It gives me a complete understanding

and a new view of the professional life of doctors, physicians, nurses — all sorts of people in the medical field. It provides not just the scientific viewpoint but a very well-rounded cultural view of medicine.”

—Urvashi Firozi, Biology

10 University of Houston

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CENTER FOR CREATIVE WORKThe Creative Work minor is a multidisciplinary program that integrates creative projects, critical study, and

cultural research. Students have several opportunities to develop and showcase their work, especially in the spring semester at the annual Dionysia and Ekphrastic Arts Festival. Students can also participate in Artists

and Their Regions, the minor’s signature course, which features seminar-style classes and a week-long artists’ retreat, allowing students a semester to hone their crafts while focusing on a specific creative project.

ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITYStudents taking the Energy & Sustainability minor understand why the University of Houston is known as a hub

of innovation and innovative thinking. Here is an opportunity to look, critically and creatively, at both the present and future of energy sources and conservation in Houston, the energy capital of the world. The disciplinary

points of view involved are insightful and diverse: economics and business, architecture and design, public policy and education. Special events allow students to meet key people in the energy community and industry.

LEADERSHIP STUDIESThe Leadership Studies minor promotes personal and intellectual development by educating students about

leadership in a complex world. The minor prepares them to serve effectively in informal and formal leadership roles in campus, local, national, and global contexts. Students not only enhance their understanding of

leadership, but also develop the skill set — drawn from fields such as advocacy, ethics, and communications — vital for tomorrow’s leaders.

MEDICINE & SOCIETYHoused within the Honors Program in the Health Professions, Medicine and Society (MedSoc) is a distinctive

minor that merges the humanities with the hard sciences. MedSoc brings students and healthcare professionals together to discuss the science, ethics, and literature of medicine in an attempt to understand the multi-faceted

phenomenon that is the modern-day healthcare industry.

PHRONESIS: POLITICS & ETHICSThe interdisciplinary Phronesis curriculum focuses on the issues and questions leaders and thinkers in a

democratic society are likely to confront: What is the nature of justice? Is the individual sovereign? Is there a universal morality? Students selected as Phronesis Fellows work closely with faculty to bring inspiring,

innovative, and controversial speakers to campus for lectures and small-class discussions. Phronesis is an ideal venture for pre-law students.

11The Honors College

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BAUER BUSINESS HONORSThe Bauer Business Honors program combines a solid liberal arts foundation from Honors with a specialized business curriculum. Bauer Honors students receive personalized academic services and have smaller class sizes. Special social and networking events from both Bauer and Honors colleges result in a close-knit network of

students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

HONORS ENGINEERING PROGRAMThe Honors Engineering Program (HEP) provides the challenging coursework and research opportunities the

best undergraduates want. Their freshman year, students in Honors Engineering participate in project-oriented, team-based classes. Special HEP events encourage networking within the industry and enrich friendships among

fellow engineering students.

HONORS PROGRAM IN THE HEALTH PROFESSIONS

The Honors Program in the Health Professions — or (HP)2 — is the umbrella organization for all pre-health students associated with the Honors College. (HP)2 houses important initiatives such as the Medicine & Society minor, the Houston Premedical Academy, the Honors Biomedical Sciences major, and the BS/MD collaboration

with regional medical schools. (HP)2 coordinates the substantial network of organizations on campus that support future healthcare professionals.

“HEP provided me with advantages that made me stand out from the rest of the engineering student body. Need communication skills? Need

project-based experience? Need research experience? I learned all of that within my first semester of Honors engineering courses. But more than that, the program introduced me to a network of future engineers who were academically driven and ambitious. And those are the types

of people I want to surround myself with.”

—Linda Tran, Mechanical Engineering

12 University of Houston

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The Honors College 13

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14 University of Houston

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STUDENT LIFEThe rich tapestry of student life at the University of Houston is woven together by more than 550 student organizations active on campus. Some of these are

housed in the Honors College. Here are a few highlights:

STUDENT LIFE

STUDENT GOVERNING BOARD SGB functions as a liaison between the Honors faculty, administration, and students. SGB also plans several social activities for the college, including the annual Halloween Party and Spring Fling, coffeehouses, and watch parties for away games.

CLUB THEATER Students who love acting and producing original work join Club Theater to stage wholly student-produced works each semester. The club also organizes workshops and outings to Houston’s professional theater companies.

THE HONORS COLLEGE MENTORSHIP PROGRAMThis program provides guidance and support to incoming students through peer mentoring. New Honors students are encouraged not only to meet with their mentor but also to participate in a variety of Honors community-building events, such as “Dinner with the Profs,” to ensure a successful transition to the University.

BONNER LEADERS The UH Bonner Leaders Program provides opportunities for Honors students to develop academic, career, and leadership skills through service to others. Bonners work through partner organizations to perform direct service. Students are admitted through a competitive process that examines financial need, demonstrated commitment to service, leadership capacity, and academic performance.

15The Honors College

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“I love Honors. It really makes the college experience better. It’s a close community where you interact with a lot of different people. As an engineering major, I would not typically interact with students from

other majors. For example, I was able to meet my best friend, who is studying hotel and restaurant management, because of the Honors College.”

—Isme Correa, Chemical Engineering

HONORS AMBASSADORS This student leadership group serves as the face of the Honors College. Ambassadors assist in recruitment, development, alumni relations, and special events. Students participate in various outreach events, including open houses, college fairs, and orientations.

HOUSTON UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH NETWORK HURN aims to encourage and support students in research. The organization connects students interested in research with faculty and projects.

MODEL ARAB LEAGUEStudents in Model Arab League enjoy the opportunity to develop leadership and communication skills and to learn about the social, economic, cultural, and political issues facing the Arab world. Annually, the Honors College sends a delegation to the national conference in Washington, D.C.

16 University of Houston

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STUDY ABROAD The Honors College offers faculty-led study abroad trips to add a rich dimension to the Honors curriculum and provide a peak experience in a student’s education. As a further enrichment, participants have the option of completing a course associated with the trip taught previous to departure. Recent trips have included Italy; France and Spain; Israel and Turkey; the Netherlands, Germany and the Czech Republic; Ireland and Britain; and a special service-learning trip to Haiti.

OFFICE OF UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH

Housed in the Honors College, the OUR organizes, facilitates, and enhances opportunities for students to conduct in-depth study on a subject in their discipline. Students work directly with faculty mentors and gain a more personalized, enriching educational experience. OUR offers three central programs: the Provost’s Undergraduate Research Scholarship (PURS), the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF), and the Senior Honors Thesis.

The Honors College 17

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The University of Houston earned the Tier One research university distinction from the Carnegie Foundation for the

Advancement of Teaching. There are more than 25 centers and institutes across UH that conduct research.

Ranked 7th in the nation for graduating students with least amount of debt.

Ranked among Best Colleges in the United States (U.S. News & World Report).

The University of Houston is a partner of the Texas Medical Center.

Ranked among The Princeton Review’s “Best Value Colleges.”Second most ethnically and racially diverse university in the nation (U.S. News & World Report).

Being a University of Houston Cougar connects you to nearly 250,000 proud alumni.

The University’s Moores School of Music, School of Theatre and Dance, and Blaffer Gallery are prominent cultural

institutions in Houston.

In the past five years, the University of Houston has built a new football stadium, student center, dining hall, two

dormitories, and three parking garages.

Our new student center houses campus organizations, a Barnes and Noble Bookstore, a games room with a

bowling alley, and a theater.

UH is ranked second for number of beds in on-campus housing in Texas.

UH has more than 550 student organizations, 41 sports and intramurals, 16 intercollegiate sports, and

46 fraternities and sororities.

UNIVERSITY HIGHLIGHTSUNIVERSITY HIGHLIGHTS“You get the whole private university feel within a larger university. You’re still a part of UH and still a part of that grand environment, but you also have that small-knit

family you make in Honors.”—Annum Faisal, Biology and Spanish

University of Houston18

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HOUSTON HIGHLIGHTSHOUSTON HIGHLIGHTS

Houston is the fourth largest city in the United States.

Houston is the most ethnically and racially diverse city in the U.S.

Houston has been ranked as the number one city of job creation.

Houston rates first among the nation’s 10 most populous cities in total acreage of parkland and third in park acreage per capita, according to a study by The Trust for Public Land.

Houston is headquarters to 26 Fortune 500 companies, making it the second largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies

in the nation.

Houston is home to the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical center in the world.

Houston has more than 5,000 energy-related firms, making it the energy capital of the world.

Houston has more than 500 cultural, visual, and performing arts organizations, 90 of which are devoted to

multicultural and minority arts.

Houston’s renowned Museum District has 18 museums within walking distance.

Houston is one of five cities in the United States with resident, top-tier professional companies in the four disciplines of the

performing arts: ballet, opera, symphony, and theater.

The annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is the largest rodeo in the world.

Houston is home to several professional sports teams in baseball, basketball, football, and soccer.

The Honors College considers Houston an extension of its campus. We encourage our students to take advantage of the opportunities the

city offers for cultural enrichment and entertainment.19

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SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIESSCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIESUNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS Students are automatically considered for the following merit scholarships based on their University of Houston application. Students must complete the University of Houston application at www.ApplyTexas.org by December 1 for priority scholarship consideration.

Academic Excellence Scholarship The Academic Excellence Scholarship is for students who have a competitive academic profile — typically a

score of 1200 on the critical reading and math sections of the SAT (26 ACT composite) with a class rank in the top 20 percent. The amount awarded varies from $2,500 to $8,500 per year.

Tier One Scholarship The Tier One Scholarship is the premier scholarship offered by the university. Tier One Scholars receive funding

for four years of tuition and mandatory fees, two years of on-campus room and board, and stipends for research and study abroad. Students may be contacted to compete for a Tier One Scholarship if they score a minimum of 1300 on the SAT (CR & M) or 29 on the ACT and rank in the top 10 percent of their class. The invaluable benefits of mentorship, advising, and camaraderie also come with being a part of the Tier One Scholars community.

For more information, contact Christine Leveaux-Haley, Tier One Scholars Coordinator, 713.743.2355, 1.888.827.0366 (toll free), or [email protected].

National Merit Scholarship The National Merit Scholarship at the University of Houston is an all-expenses-paid scholarship (room, board,

tuition, required fees, and stipends for both undergraduate research and study abroad) automatically awarded to students who are named National Merit Finalists and who list the University of Houston as their first choice institution according to the rules and deadlines established by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

For more information, contact Sarah Bhojani, Honors College National Merit Coordinator, 713.743.9006, 1.888.827.0366 (toll free), or [email protected].

20 University of Houston

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HONORS SCHOLARSHIPS Scholarships are available to Honors College students in amounts ranging from $1,000 to $1,500 annually. To be eligible for consideration, students should have a score of at least 1300 on the SAT (CR & M, or 29 on the ACT) and be ranked in the top 10 percent of their high school graduating class. Incoming freshmen must attend an Honors College Open House during their senior year of high school in order to be considered for Honors Scholarships.

TERRY FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPThe Terry Foundation is a Houston-based philanthropic organization that provides full-ride scholarships (tuition, fees, books, room and board, study abroad, and miscellaneous expenses) for outstanding students. To be eligible for a Terry Foundation Scholarship, students must have financial need, a record of leadership in school and community, strong academic abilities proven through grades and SAT scores, and graduate from a Texas high school or home school.

For more information, go to www.thehonorscollege.com/terry or contact Franco Martinez, UH Terry Scholarship Coordinator, 713.743.8322, 1.888.827.0366 (toll free), or [email protected].

For more information about the Honors College, scholarships, or to arrange a campus visit, call 713.743.1766 or 1.888.827.0366 (toll free),

e-mail [email protected], or visit www.thehonorscollege.com.

The Honors College 21

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GRADUATE WITH HONORS

Students who fulfill the Honors College curriculum requirements earn additional distinction — University Honors or Collegiate Honors — and receive special recognition at commencement exercises. Students who complete a Senior Honors Thesis are additionally recognized with “Honors in Major.” Students who combine both the Honors College curriculum requirements and a Senior Honors Thesis graduate with the highest distinction an undergraduate can earn at the University of Houston.

In addition to participating in the University’s commencement, Honors students are celebrated at the Graduation Banquet. Held off-campus each May, the banquet provides a comfortable venue to individually recognize each senior’s accomplishments with faculty, staff, family, and friends.

“The connections here are invaluable. You get to meet people who are the best of the best in their major and college. The network here becomes more valuable as you go out into the workforce and

into your career.”

—Amy Muñiz, Accounting

22 University of Houston

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Freshman students can apply to the Honors College by checking the Honors box on the ApplyTexas application. Students can also apply to the Honors College by visiting www.thehonorscollege.com/apply. Applicants must submit the following required supplemental materials to [email protected] to complete their application:

1) Academic writing sample (3-5 pages), such as a literary/critical analysis from a previous English or History class;

2) Extracurricular résumé listing work experience, volunteerism, awards, honors, organizations, etc.

Separate transcripts and test scores do not have to be submitted to the Honors College if they have been sent to the University of Houston.

Mid-Career Applicants: The Honors College welcomes students at multiple entry points in their academic careers. Students who have completed college hours post high school graduation can complete the mid-career application at www.thehonorscollege.com/apply.

APPLY!APPLY!

Photo Credits:

Pathik Shah

dabfoto creative/Paul R. Davis and David A. Brown for the Honors College

Michiko McMahon

Taylor Chan

Richard Armstrong

Amanda Wilkinson

Design Credits:

Lucy Bonner

Julia Brown

23The Honors College

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YOUR JOURNEY BEGINSYOUR JOURNEY BEGINS.University of Houston

The Honors College212 MD Anderson Library

Houston, Texas 77204-2001

thehonorscollege.com713-743-90101-888-827-0366

The University of Houston is an EEO/AA institution.