Honors Program

Program Description

The College of Engineering (COE) Honors Program is designed to enrich the educational opportunities for outstanding students within the College. Students in the Honors Program will be encouraged to participate in early experiences in research and scholarship in preparation for independent research and inquiry.

ADVANTAGES OF MEMBERSHIP*

Students in the program are benefited by:

  • Graduate student library privileges (extended book check out and library locker request)
  • Honors advising (schedule appointments at: https://shoreline.ucsb.edu/meetings/1336990/coefrances)
  • Quarterly honors programming, including special tours and lectures
  • Scholars Floors, located in several university-owned residence halls, are available to eligible first-year students

*Membership privileges are subject to change annually.

ELIGIBILITY

Upon UCSB Admission: The College of Engineering invites approximately the top 10% of incoming freshmen into the Honors Program based on a comprehensive review of the applicant. Select transfer students will be invited to join the Honors Program.

Students who are not eligible for the Program at the time of admission may request to enter the program after attaining a cumulative UCSB GPA of 3.5 or greater after three regular quarters at UCSB. 

For all new and continuing students, effective fall 2019, admittance to the Honors Program may occur during three windows of opportunity:

  • Prior to your first term at UCSB: Eligible freshmen will be notified about joining Honors when notified about UCSB admission (note: Regents Scholars are automatically admitted).  Select transfer students will be invited to join the Honors Program.
  • By applying to the program between your freshman (first-year) and sophomore years, if you have completed at least 36 letter-graded units with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above.
  • By applying to the program between your sophomore and junior years, if you have completed at least 72 letter-graded units with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above.

Students may not join the Honors Program after July 1, the summer between the junior and senior curriculum year.  

ANNUAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

To maintain status in the program, all continuing students must:

  • Complete 10 hours of community service each academic year (done during fall, winter, spring quarters) and report hours by June 15.*
  • Maintain a 3.5 cumulative GPA at the end of each spring quarter.

Students are encouraged to pursue enrichment activities and should review the yearly program guide for enrichment suggestions and guidance.

*Due to the rapidly changing situation of COVID-19, the COE Honors Program strongly recommends that you follow all social distancing protocols and wait until the situation is safe to continue your volunteer hours, or to look for ways to volunteer virtually.  You may consider some of the following for ideas:  https://www.dosomething.org/us/articles/9-places-to-volunteer-online-and-make-a-real-impact

TO GRADUATE AS AN HONORS PROGRAM "SCHOLAR"

Honors Program scholars wear a scholar stole at commencement and may list their status on their resume:

  • Complete 6.0 total Honors units during the junior and/or senior years with a letter-grade of B or higher in each course.  Acceptable courses are:
    • Departmental 196, 197, 198, 199 courses (e.g. ME 197 or CS 196)
    • STEM graduate level courses numbered 200-299 (courses may not simultaneously apply to an MS degree)
    • Engineering courses completed through the UC Education Abroad Program 
      • Notes: Capstone participation/courses do not apply to honors credit, nor do graduate courses taken to satisfy requirements for a graduate degree.  Paid research positions cannot apply.
  • Complete 10 community service hours for each year the student was a member of the Honors Program.
  • Maintain a 3.5 or higher cumulative GPA.
  • Report community service and academic enrichment information by May 1 of the year they are graduating to ensure recognition for this honor.
    • Submit your volunteer hours for each service activity using our Honors Community Service website. You will log on with your UCSB Net ID and password.

Have you completed the Honors Program requirements to graduate? Click here for the Honors Program Completion Form.

 

Mechanical Engineering Honors Students

Engineering honors students with upper division standing may, with faculty approval, enroll in ME 199 to research topics that will compliment their major studies. Please reach out to the undergraduate staff advisor for petition and instructions- meugrad@engineering.ucsb.edu

Pi Tau Sigma is the national mechanical engineering honor society. Membership is based on academic achievement. To be eligible for membership, juniors must rank in the top quarter of their class and seniors in the top third of their class. Students who are qualified for membership will be contacted by representatives of Pi Tau Sigma.

Tau Beta Pi is the national engineering honor society. Membership is based on academic achievement. To be eligible for membership, juniors must rank in the top 1/8th of their graduating class and seniors in the top 1/5th of their graduating class.