Honors Program

A student and a professor in a laboratory examine a clear culture flask containing red liquid, wearing gloves and lab coats as part of an honors-level research activity.

Dig deeper. Go further. Make your mark.

The Honors Program at the University at Buffalo is a two-year, research-focused experience for high-achieving BA and BS majors who want to go beyond coursework. You’ll work closely with a faculty mentor, conduct sustained biological research and complete a senior honors project that you present to the department. Along the way, you’ll build advanced research skills, professional confidence and strong preparation for graduate school, professional programs or research-focused careers.

What you'll do

The Honors Program blends structured research training with independent lab work.

Students in the program:

  • Take a spring semester honors research methods course designed only for BIO Honors students
  • Join a faculty-led research lab of your choice
  • Complete an honors-level research project during your senior year
  • Present your work at the Department of Biological Sciences undergraduate honors research symposium in May

Why join the BIO Honors Program?

Students choose BIO Honors to gain depth, mentorship and recognition for advanced work in biology.

Program benefits include:

  • Graduate with distinction: Earn Honors in Biological Science, with the opportunity for High Honors or Highest Honors
  • Faculty mentorship: Work one-on-one with a research advisor from project design through presentation
  • Real research experience: Contribute to biologically meaningful research before graduation
  • Skill development: Strengthen experimental design, data analysis, scientific writing and presentation skills
  • Preparation for what’s next: Honors research signals readiness for graduate study, professional programs and research careers
  • Recognition opportunities: Exceptional students may be nominated for High Honors and selected to speak at the honors symposium
Pia Schwarz.
“One of the biggest impacts in setting me up for a research career was my honors research project, which I completed in the lab of Dr. Trevor Krabbenhoft. Being accepted into the Biological Sciences Honors program opened a new door to explore my research interests in speciation and to complete a research project during my senior year. Both the technical and soft skills that I acquired while completing my project prepared me for developing my own projects in my PhD.”
2/12/26

Pia Schwarz
SUNY Chancellor's Awards for Student Excellence Recipient

Timeline: How it works

Junior year

  • Apply to the BIO Honors Program during the fall semester
  • Take BIO 487: Honors Research Methods in the spring
  • Earn a grade of B- or higher to continue into senior year

Senior year

  • Join a faculty research lab and complete honors-level research
  • Enroll in BIO 497: Honors Research in Biology for six credits
  • Complete an honors research project
  • Present your work at the undergraduate honors research symposium in May
  • Graduate with Honors, High Honors or Highest Honors in Biological Sciences
Important notes:
  • Research labs may be inside or outside the department with approval
  • Students who previously completed BIO 498 may continue in the same lab or switch labs before senior year
  • All BIO 497 credits must be completed in the same lab
  • BIO 497 counts as two required lab courses for both the BA and BS
  • BIO 487 and BIO 497 count toward total major credits
Get involved with undergraduate research

Eligibility and requirements

To apply, you must:

  • Be a BA or BS major in biological sciences
  • Have a GPA of 3.6 or higher at the time of application
  • Apply during the fall semester of your junior year

Students must maintain a GPA of 3.6 or higher through graduation to graduate with honors.

Honors recognition

All students who complete the program graduate with Honors in Biological Science.

Additional distinctions include:

  • Magna cum laude: GPA 3.6 to 3.749
  • Summa cum laude: GPA 3.75 and above
  • High Honors: Awarded to exceptional students nominated by research mentors
  • Highest Honors: Awarded to selected High Honors students who present at the honors symposium

Take the next step

If you want to move beyond coursework and experience what it’s like to do real biological research, the Honors Program offers a challenging and rewarding path forward.

To apply, please email Jessica Poulin directly.

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