ChemistryGraduation with Distinction
Majors may be considered for Graduation with Distinction honors provided they have all of the following:
At least a B average in chemistry major courses is required at the time of application and at graduation.
- Satisfactory completion of at least two semesters of independent study in chemistry or in an approved chemistry-related area.
- Enrollment and participation in CHEM 295, Introduction to Research Independent Study, preferably concurrently with their enrollment in their first independent study course.
- Enrollment and participation in CHEM 496, Graduation with Distinction in Chemistry, in the spring semester of the senior year. No formal declaration of candidacy is required. A major automatically becomes a candidate for GwD by enrolling in CHEM 496.
- Submission of a high-quality research thesis based upon the results of independent study.
- Formal nomination for GwD by the research advisor based on the completed research thesis.
- Presentation of a poster based on the results of the independent study.
- Oral defense of the research thesis, completed as part of CHEM 496. Suggestions for preparing and delivering oral reports are given at http://www.chem.duke.edu/undergraduate/oral-reports
- Selection for the honor by the Chemistry Department Undergraduate Awards Committee.
The process for awarding Graduation with Distinction is as follows: The student's work is evaluated first by the supervising professor and then, upon his/her recommendation, by a committee of Chemistry faculty. Final decisions on Graduation with Distinction rest with the departmental awards committee. In recent years approximately 40% of majors have earned Graduation with Distinction.