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Honors Program

The Undergraduate Computer Science (CSC) Honors Program at NC State’s College of Engineering provides gifted undergraduate students in computer science the opportunity to enhance their academic experience by doing research with faculty members, taking advanced courses, and participating in occasional meetings or events with other CSC Honors Program students. It does not increase the total number of credit hours required to graduate.

Participating in this program can be an enjoyable challenge. It is worthwhile for the experience itself, and also earns attention from employers and graduate schools.

Students who satisfy the requirements for the CSC Honors Program will receive the following:

  • Opportunity to do research and graduate coursework in computer science
  • Special designation in the University and departmental graduation programs
  • Special recognition during the departmental diploma ceremony
  • Designation on academic transcript shows fulfillment of CSC

CSC Honors Program Admission Requirements
Admission to the Computer Science Honors Program is by nomination of members of the computer science faculty, and is open only to students majoring in computer science. Criteria for admission typically include the following.

  • Completion of at least 50 hours of course work
  • Completion of at least 15 hours of course work in computer science
  • An overall GPA of 3.5, and
  • A GPA of 3.5 in computer science courses

Students of unusual promise who do not meet all of these criteria may also be nominated by the faculty. Faculty members may nominate a student at any time by contacting the Honors Program coordinator. Each semester, the CSC Honors Program coordinator also identifies those students who satisfy the above criteria and solicits faculty nominations for qualifying students. Students will be informed of their nomination to the program by letter. Students accepting the nomination will be admitted into the Honors Program.

CSC Honors Program Participant Requirements
To successfully complete the CSC Honors Program, the student must:

  • Complete three credit-hours of CSC499 (Undergraduate Research). A computer science faculty member will serve as the supervisor of this project course. Students find their own project supervisor, with the help of the CSC Honors Program coordinator, if desired.

  • Write a report about the project. The report should describe the research problem and the results obtained; contain references to appropriate sources; and be approved by the supervising faculty member. The report, about 10-20 pages, should be prepared in HTML format and will be posted on the computer science department’s Web site.

  • Enroll in 3 additional credit-hours, selecting from the following options:
    - undergraduate research (CSC499)
    - undergraduate special topics classes (CSC495), or
    - classes at the graduate level (CSC5XX)

  • Finish with a 3.5 overall GPA and a 3.5 GPA in computer science

Students who are in the CSC Honors Program but who fail to fulfill the criteria will not receive the CSC Honors Program designation. Note: This will not affect eligibility for any other commendations offered by the department or the university.

The courses mentioned above apply toward fulfilling the university and department requirements for graduation; there is no difference in the total number of courses required for graduation for computer science students who participate in the CSC Honors Program and those who do not.

Dr. Thomas Honeycutt
Honors Program Coordinator
Department of Computer Science
NC State University
2274 EB II
Box 8206
Raleigh, NC 27695-8206
919-515-7001

Related links

CSC Honors Thesis:

CSC Honors Program Admission Requirements

CSC Honors Program Participant Requirements