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Mechanical Engineering Latin Honors Program

*Upper Division GPA for Latin Honors is computed beginning in the semester after the student has crossed the 60 credit threshold.

Opportunities for "Honors Experiences" include:

1. Special research topics jointly agreed upon by the honors student and faculty member.  Selected topics must be approved in advance by completing "Special Topics Honors Contract".  Typically, these special topics will be associated with an upper division course, much in the same spirit as H-designated courses were under the quarter system.
2. Any 8xxx level course in IT (No more than one 8xxx level course can be taken to satisfy Honors Experiences for the Magna Cum Laude and no more than two 8xxx level courses can be taken for Summa Cum Laude.).
3. A presentation (either oral or poster format) at a scientific meeting counts as an Honors Experience.

The Senior Honors Thesis:

The Honors Thesis is intended to provide the honors student the opportunity to work alongside one or more faculty (and perhaps graduate students) on a current research topic.  The project should be both creative and scholarly, demonstrating the kind of expertise a senior may be expected to have achieved in mechanical engineering.  The process begins with selecting an advisor, choosing a topic, and writing a thesis proposal.  The Honors Thesis will extend over two semesters with the student registering for ME 4081 the first semester (2 cr) and ME 4082 during the second semester (2 cr). The credits earned during the second semester may be applied to technical elective program.  A formal written thesis will be submitted, and presented orally by the student during his/ her final semester.  Students are encouraged to form contacts late in the junior year with potential faculty advisors on the Honors Thesis.

Upper Division ME Honors Advisor:

Professor Tom Chase
305 Mechanical Engineering
(612) 625-0308
trchase@me.umn.edu