Program Overview

Honors Program (HONS)

The Honors Program at Rice University offers a range of courses designed to challenge and engage undergraduate students. The program is administered by the Rice Undergrad Scholar Program and features a variety of special topics and research-focused courses.

Course Offerings

• HONS 238 - SPECIAL TOPICS: This course features topics and credit hours that vary each semester. Students should contact the department for current semester's topic(s). The course is repeatable for credit and is open to undergraduate, undergraduate professional, or visiting undergraduate level students.
• HONS 470 - RICE UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARS PROGRAM (RUSP): This is a two-semester course designed for students pursuing careers in academia/research. With a faculty mentor, students engage in a year-long research project and attend weekly seminars on how to conduct and present research, work in the academy, apply to post-undergraduate education and fellowships, and understand the social impact of research. Instructor permission is required.
• HONS 471 - RICE UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARS PROGRAM (RUSP): This course is a continuation of HONS 470 and requires prerequisite completion of HONS 470. It continues the research project and seminar series, focusing on advanced research skills and professional development in academia.
• HONS 477 - SPECIAL TOPICS: Similar to HONS 238, this course offers special topics that vary by semester, with varying credit hours. It is open to undergraduate, undergraduate professional, or visiting undergraduate level students and is repeatable for credit.

Program Details

• Department: Rice Undergrad Scholar Program
• Grade Mode: Standard Letter
• Course Types: Include Internship/Practicum, Laboratory, Lecture, Seminar, and Independent Study
• Credit Hours: Vary by course, from 1 to 4 credit hours
• Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional, or Visiting Undergraduate level students
• Course Levels: Include Undergraduate Lower-Level and Undergraduate Upper-Level
• Prerequisites: HONS 470 is a prerequisite for HONS 471
• Description: Courses within the Honors Program are designed to provide students with in-depth research experiences, academic rigor, and professional development opportunities, particularly for those interested in pursuing careers in research and academia.