Information for Mentors

Mentors are key to the successful participation of students in the Biology Honors Program. Biology Honors mentors generally find working with the highly engaged students in the program both rewarding and productive.

Roles and expectations of being a Biology Honors mentor are: 

• guide and oversee the student's research (help the student to understand the background and context of their work, to develop project goals, and to carry out the honors project)
• provide input on the writing of an honors proposal that satisfies programmatic requirements and meets the mentor's standards  
• provide input on the writing of an honors thesis that satisfies programmatic requirements and meets the mentor's standards
• provide guidance on choosing committee members and preparing for the honors defense (e.g. suggest topics for them to familiarize or re-familiarize themselves with, provide input on their presentation prior to the defense) 
• provide a very brief summary of the student’s progress every semester 

Participation in the program is typically for 2 years (4 Fall/Spring semesters, typically junior and senior years), although there is some flexibility in the total duration. Winter and summer participation in research is common among our Biology Honors students, but is not formally required by the program.

See the Students page for current and past mentors in the program. 

Potential mentors and current mentors are encouraged to contact Alexa Bely (director of the program) with any questions or concerns.