The Biochemistry department is pleased to offer the Biochemistry Research Honors Track for exceptional freshmen. This is separate from existing distinctions given at graduation (i.e., our University’s Latin honors and our departmental GPA- and publication-based prizes). Highly motivated students will receive resources to enhance their research experience including individual mentoring by a Biochemistry faculty member, a yearly research allowance, and honors-track specific activities.
Benefits
Candidates apply at the end of their freshman year and the track starts in the sophomore year. Selected top candidates (5 each year) will experience an exclusive early immersion into Biochemistry and have available a yearly $2,000 allowance to support research activities (expenses must be pre-approved and include participation in scientific conferences, membership in scientific societies, a stipend for summer research that meets specific conditions, or other eligible research expenses).
Biochemistry Immersion
- Each student will have the unique opportunity for weekly one-on-one meetings with a faculty member to discuss impactful biochemistry literature during their sophomore fall semester (BIOC 285, Readings in Biochemistry, 1 credit, Pass/No Pass).
- Mentoring is expected to continue during the subsequent semesters and could include guidance for identifying a research laboratory home and career planning.
- Each year, students will enjoy a group lunch with the Chair, Dr. Alan Diehl.
- Each year’s five students and their honors-track mentors will meet for a lunch retreat.
- Students will graduate with an enhanced Honors Capstone to reflect their enriched research experience and accomplishments (BIOC 393H, 3 credits).
- Students will submit the usual capstone paper and develop additional scientific writing skills. They will also give a highlighted research presentation at the retreat for graduating seniors.
Continuation Requirements
- Honors Track students must be engaged in research by the sophomore spring semester (earlier is advised) and continue until graduation (as a volunteer or for course credit).
- Students must maintain a high academic performance (GPA in the top thirty percent of Biochemistry majors) and adhere to the university's undergraduate academic integrity policy.
- Honors Track students are strongly encouraged to spend at least one summer doing full-time laboratory research.
How To Apply
Please email applications before May 24 to biochem_honors@case.edu with the subject line "Biochemistry Research Honors Track Application".
Your application should consist of:
- A two-page statement describing your education and career goals, and your motivation for applying to the Biochemistry Honors Research Track.
- An unofficial copy of your CWRU transcript with the final grades of both freshman semesters. If you were admitted in the spring semester, please submit an unofficial transcript with your spring semester final grades.
- A one- to two-page resume that summarizes your extracurricular activities, laboratory/research experience, and work history, and provides names and contact information for at least one faculty reference (can be instructor or research mentor).
- If you are already engaged in research, please ask your faculty research mentor to send a recommendation letter directly to biochem_honors@case.edu . This letter should be submitted before May 24 as well.
Only applications from Biochemistry majors will be considered. Students will be notified by June 15th.
Please email any questions to biochem_honors@case.edu with the subject line "Biochemistry Research Honors Track Question".