By selecting Honors under Special Offerings in the LSA Course Guide, students will find a fairly comprehensive list of Honors courses available for the term. Depending on course coding used by the department, you may find other courses throughout a search, but this is a great start in planning your schedule. For information about courses including questions about registration/waitlists/permissions, please contact the department offering the course. For courses with the Honors subject code (e.g., Honors 240, Honors 493), contact the Honors Program.
BIOLOGY 171 – Introductory Biology: Ecology and Evolution (NS)
Section: 002 (LEC), Sec 200 (DIS) LSA HNRS
BIOLOGY 171 is a one-term course in ecology and evolutionary biology that, together with BIOLOGY 172 and 173, collectively form the introductory biology course unit.
The primary aims of BIOLOGY 171 are:
1. to provide factual and conceptual knowledge concerning the origin and complex interactions of the Earth's biodiversity
2. to give an integrated overview of biological organization including genes, individuals, kin groups, populations, species, communities, and ecosystems
3. to engage with biological hypotheses dealing with prominent current issues such as human evolutionary origins, emerging diseases, conservation biology and global change
4. to develop critical-thinking and writing skills.
Topics in BIOLOGY 171 are divided among three primary areas:
• Mendelian genetics and evolutionary processes
• Biodiversity, organismal biology
• Ecology
BIOLOGY 172 – Introductory Biology – Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental (NS)
Section: 002 (LEC), Sec 200 (DIS) LSA HNRS
BIOLOGY 172 is a one-term course in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology that, together with BIOLOGY 171 and 173, collectively forms the introductory biology course sequence.
The aims of BIOLOGY 172 are:
• to provide factual and conceptual knowledge of how cells, organs, and organisms work; and
• to develop scientific hypothesis-testing and critical-thinking skills.
CHEM 210 - Structure and Reactivity I (NS)
Saved Honors seats, no Honors attribute
Option for Structured Study Groups (SSG) exist. See instructor.
Honors for this course is related to participation in SSG only.
CHEM 211 – Investigations in Chemistry (NS)
Section: 600 (LEC), 610-615 (LAB)
Chem 211-600 is a science and project-oriented section of CHEM 211 that is meant for students who wish to take CHEM 211 at a slightly higher level. The location of the course is in the upper-level laboratory rooms, so the sections are slightly smaller and better equipped for testing out original ideas. The last third of the course is a relatively independent project. Students who complete Chem 211-600 will receive a designation of "Honors" on their transcripts. However, the course is open to all students (it is not limited to those in the Honors College).
Honors option for CHEM 230 and CHEM 260–Compute to Learn
For further information, please contact the Chemistry Undergraduate Office at chemundergrad@umich.edu.
ECON 102 - Principles of Economics II (SS, QR/2)
Section: 100 (LEC), 106 (DIS) HNRS
In ECON 102, the fundamental concepts and theories of macroeconomics are developed and used to analyze problems of current interest.
Major topics include
• the determinants of aggregate output,
• employment and unemployment,
• inflation,
• the balance of international trade, and
• economic growth.
GEOG 145/INTLSTD 101– Introduction to International Studies (SS)
Section: 001 (LEC), Sec 012 (DIS) LSA HNRS
This course is designed to provide you with a general overview of the field of International Studies. The main object of analysis in International Studies is the “global system”, which is defined as the collected elements - people, institutions, principles, procedures, norms, and habits - that make up the global whole. Topics covered include the history of the global system, the global economy, global neoliberalism, global trade, the international states system and international politics, culture and globalization, international human rights, global health, global migration, war, peace, and security, and the global environment.
Honors: Students in the Honors section of INTLSTD 101 will meet with the primary instructor for the course. In this section, students will read supplementary material that goes into the weekly lecture topics in more depth. Students are expected to lead a discussion at least once during the semester based on that week's readings. Leading discussion entails doing brief presentation, providing discussion questions for the class, and developing a learning activity.
LATIN 231 – Roman Kings and Emperors
Section: 004
This course reviews grammar as it introduces you to the masters of classical Latin prose and poetry through adapted texts on Rome's history and through extensive passages from Caesar' De Bello Gallico, Augustus' Res Gestae and Vergil. Efficient reading, vocabulary and translations skills are the goal. In addition, you will acquire knowledge of meter and poetic style. The successful completion of the course allows you to fulfill the final semester of your language requirement with a 300 or 400 level Latin class which already counts towards a minor or major in a Classics-related field. For freshmen, LAT 301 or higher taken in their first year also carries automatically an honors notation.
MATH 156 – Applied Honors Calculus II (MSA, QR/1)
Sections: 001 - 005
MATH 156 is part of the applied Honors calculus sequence for engineering and science majors. Applications and concepts receive equal treatment. Theorems are stated precisely and are derived, but technical details are omitted. Examples are given to illustrate the theory. Critical thinking and class participation are encouraged. The goal is to provide students with the solid background needed for subsequent courses in mathematics, engineering, and science.
MATH 185 – Honors Calculus I (MSA, QR/1)
Section: 001
Most students take calculus in high school, and it may seem that there isn't much new to learn. The goal of this course is to develop the familiar concepts of calculus using a more rigorous and theoretical approach. In particular, with its emphasis on how to use appropriate mathematical language, this course lays a solid foundation for future math courses, and is suitable for students intending to pursue a major in mathematics, science, or engineering who desire a more complete understanding of the underpinnings of calculus. This sequence is not restricted to students enrolled in the LSA Honors Program.
MATH 275 – An Introduction to Cryptology (MSA, QR/1)
Section: 001
This course introduces modern cryptology, including the Diffie-Hellmann key exchange, discrete logarithm-based cryptosystems, the TSA cryptosystem, and digital signatures. Along the way, the course introduces many of the mathematical ideas involved in the development and analysis of cryptography systems. Mathematical topics include primality testing, factorization algorithms, probability theory, statistics, and enumeration. Throughout the course students will work on effectively communicating mathematics, both written and orally. Moreover, students will develop rigorous mathematical proof writing skills, and a primary goal of the course is to not only understand how various cryptosystems work, but why.
MATH 285 – Honors Multivariable and Vector Calculus (MSA, QR/1)
Section: 001, 002, 003
The sequence Math 185-186-285-286 is an introduction to calculus at the honors level. It is taken by students intending to major in mathematics, science, or engineering as well as students heading for many other fields who want a somewhat more theoretical approach. Although much attention is paid to concepts and solving problems, the underlying theory and proofs of important results are also included. This sequence is not restricted to students enrolled in the LSA Honors Program.
MATH 286 – Honors Differential Equations (MSA, QR/1)
Section: 001
The sequence Math 185-186-285-286 is an introduction to calculus at the honors level. It is taken by students intending to major in mathematics, science, or engineering as well as students heading for many other fields who want a somewhat more theoretical approach. Although much attention is paid to concepts and solving problems, the underlying theory and proofs of important results are also included. This sequence is not restricted to students enrolled in the LSA Honors Program.
MATH 295 – Honors Mathematics I (MSA, QR/1)
Section: 001
Math 295-296-395-396 is the most theoretical and demanding honors math sequence. The emphasis is on concepts, problem solving, as well as the underlying theory and proofs of important results. It provides an excellent background for advanced courses in mathematics. The expected background is high school trigonometry and algebra (previous calculus is not required, but is helpful.) This sequence is not restricted to students enrolled in the LS&A Honors program. Math 295 and 296 may be substituted for any Math 451 requirement. Math 296 and 395 may be substituted for any Math 217 requirement.
For more information on Math courses, please visit the Department of Mathematics webpage.
For waitlist information for Math courses, contact the Math department at math-undergrad-office@umich.edu.
PHYSICS 160 – Honors Physics I (NS, QR/1)
Section: 001
PHYSICS 160 covers the fundamental principles of mechanics using a modern perspective and is intended for students who have had significant exposure to physics at the high school level and/or have AP credit for physics. It emphasizes the applicability of these laws in systems ranging from binary stars to nuclear collisions. This class will be different, and more interesting, than any physics course you have taken yet.
The goals of the course are:
1. Application of fundamental principles to a wide range of systems, i.e., from nuclei to stars (unify mechanics)
2. Integrate contemporary physics (atomic models of matter, relativistic dynamics)
3. Engage students in physical modeling (idealization, approximation, assumptions, estimation)
4. Integrate computational physics (now a partner of theory and experiment) into problem solving
PHYSICS 161 – Honors Introductory Mechanics Lab (NS)
Section: 001, 002, 003
PHYSICS 161 is a three-hour weekly laboratory designed to accompany PHYSICS 160.
This lab introduces students to the core concepts of physics, namely careful observations, both quantitative and qualitative, followed by comparison with appropriate mathematical models that serve as the basis for descriptive interpretation. Course material is focused on developing a good understanding of the concepts and principles of Newtonian mechanics while providing sophisticated experiments for demonstrating the validity of these fundamental paradigms.
PHYSICS 260 – Honors Physics II (NS, QR/1)
Section: 001
PHYSICS 260 is a continuation of PHYSICS 160 and introduces the theory of electromagnetic phenomena. This course will introduce you to:
1. The deeper physical meaning of the concepts
2. A rigorous mathematical approach, using vector calculus when applicable
3. Problem solving including computer use
4. Contemporary applications
If you like physics and math, appreciate the deeper meaning and derivation of concepts and equations, and if you like to do problems, you are in the right course.
PHYSICS 261 – Honors Electricity and Magnetism Lab (NS)
Section: 001
PHYSICS 261 is a three-hour weekly laboratory designed to accompany PHYSICS 260. This lab introduces students to the core concepts of physics, namely careful observations, both quantitative and qualitative, followed by comparison with appropriate mathematical models that serve as the basis for descriptive interpretation. Course material is focused on developing a good understanding of the concepts and principles of Newtonian mechanics while providing sophisticated experiments for demonstrating the validity of these fundamental paradigms. The analytical techniques require high school level algebra and some familiarity with statistical measures of significance, procedures common to any scientific, technical, or medical area of inquiry. Although not an academic requirement, it is assumed that the students will have some basic skills in using a computer at the level of a word processing program or similar application task.
PSYCH 250 - Introduction to Developmental Psychology (SS)
Section: 020
This course provides an overview of human development from conception to death. We will examine the physical, cognitive, and socioemotional growth of children, adolescents, and adults as well as the factors that influence development. The goal is to provide a survey of the major issues, theories, and research methods used to study human development. A traditional in-person classroom format will be used to convey information (e.g., lecture, discussion, films) and assess knowledge (e.g., discussion posts, exams, papers). Learning is viewed as a process by which the student is an active—not passive—participant. Students are encouraged to integrate their knowledge of psychology with their own observations of human development, and to consider the practical implications of current research in the field for childrearing and social policy.
STATS 280 - Honors Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis (MSA, QR/1)
Section: 001 (LEC), 002, 003 (LAB)
This course is an introduction to statistical methods and data analysis at the honors level, targeting advanced undergraduate students who are interested in a challenging introductory course.
