HONORS PROGRAM

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INTRODUCTION

The Honors Program in Psychology and Cognitive Sciences is an advanced educational and research program for outstanding undergraduate students in these majors.

The program emphasizes advanced competence in scientific research and allows participants the opportunity to pursue advanced work in independent research, in addition to earning honors upon graduation. The program is designed for students who are interested in pursuing graduate study or seeking challenging research experiences as a capstone to their undergraduate experience. All Cognitive Sciences and Psychology majors who meet the minimum eligibility requirements are welcome to apply.

To be eligible, students must meet the following criteria: 1) be a cognitive sciences or psychology major, 2) have completed the psych fundamental series, 3) be in junior standing (at minimum), and 4) have a 3.2 minimum GPA within the major.

The application consists of the following: 1) completed application form, 2) an analytical writing sample, 3) a one-page research plan, and 4) a letter of recommendation from a faculty member who has agreed to oversee the proposed research project. The call for applications is sent out in spring quarter for admittance in the subsequent fall quarter.

Students who participate in the program are expected to enroll in the Honors Seminar series - COGS H101A-H101B-H101C (for Cog Sci majors) or PSYCH H101A-H101B-H101C (for Psych majors) in fall, winter, and spring quarters, respectively.
Honors students must also successfully complete a senior honors thesis and present their research at the department's honors poster symposium held in spring as part of the required coursework in H101C.

The honors seminar series may be used to satisfy Requirement G (four courses with an emphasis in psychology)* of the B.S. in Psychology major, and Requirement E (upper-division core electives) of the B.S. in Cognitive Sciences major.
*Requirement G (four courses with an emphasis in psychology) refers to the 2023-24 and earlier catalogue years. Effective 2024-25, this requirement has been relabeled to Requirement F.

APPLICATION

The Call for Applications for Fall 2025 admissions will be sent out in Spring Quarter 2025. Students must already have identified a faculty advisor and have a preliminary research project/plan before applying.

Questions about the application should be directed to: cogsci@uci.edu.

RESEARCH AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

UROP (http://www.urop.uci.edu)
The mission of UROP is to integrate undergraduate students into the research culture of the University by providing opportunities for faculty and students to work together on research projects.

SURP (https://career.uci.edu/resource/summer-undergraduate-research-program-surp/)
This program provides funding for undergraduates from all disciplines who conduct summer research projects or creative activities with UCI faculty members.Students are immersed in a research topic for a full-time ten-week period (400 hours).

COLLOQUIA AND CONFERENCES

Advanced undergraduate and honors students are encouraged to attend colloquia of interest. This includes the following: