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.
AMCULT 240 - INTRODUCTION TO WOMEN’S AND GENDER STUDIES (HU, RE)
Crosslisted with WGS 240
Section: 014 (LSA HNRS)
A survey introduction to women's studies which serves as a foundation for more advanced work. Explores how women’s lives differ across social categories such as race, class, sexual orientation, and age, with an emphasis on the situations of women in the United States today. An interdisciplinary approach acquaints students with the broad dimensions of the field.
BIOLOGY 171 – Introductory Biology: Ecology and Evolution (NS)
Section: 002 (LEC), Sec 200, 201 (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 only, no Honors credit (see below)
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: 400 (LEC), 410-415 (LAB)
Chem 211-400 is focused on techniques used for the synthesis, isolation, and purification of organic compounds, and the content differs from the 100, 200, and 300 sections. This is an honors section.
Honors option for CHEM 230 and CHEM 260–Compute to Learn
For further information, please contact the Chemistry Undergraduate Office at chemUndergrad@umich.edu.
GEOG 145/INTLSTD 101 – Introduction to International Studies (SS)
Section: 001 (LEC), Sec 012 (DIS) LSA HNRS
This is the introductory core course for the International Studies major at the University of Michigan. The course explores human rights, human development and human security in historical and comparative perspective using multiple disciplinary approaches. The curriculum is divided into six modules that cover:
• globalization;
• international relations and organizations;
• human rights and humanitarianism;
• global environment and health;
• human development; and
• culture and identity.
Honors:
Students in the Honors section will have discussions with the primary instructor for the course. These discussions will address special topics that build on material covered in lecture, and enable the students to explore key topics of international significance in more depth.
Students in the Honors section will also write a longer paper and make one short presentation to their group.
HISTORY 208 - Sports In World History (HU)
Section: 011 (LSA Hnrs)
Sports are a seemingly universal feature of societies across the world. From soccer to cricket, from baseball to the Olympic Games, sports constitute connections across space and time. This course examines the reach of sports with attention to scale and theory. We'll look at the following questions over the term: What can turning our attention to different contexts and different times tell us about the purpose and development of sports? How can sports shed light on constructions of gender, sexuality, and race? What are the links between sports and political power, state building, social protest, and globalization? What separates sports today from athletics in the premodern world? This course will approach the above through different problem-based modules, which will introduce students to the theoretical underpinnings of world history.
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. The graduate number for this course is LAT 503.
MATH 156 – Applied Honors Calculus II (MSA, QR/1)
Sections: 001 - 007
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 285 – Honors Multivariable and Vector Calculus (MSA, QR/1)
Section: 001, 002, 101, 102
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, 101
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, 002
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 all questions about Math courses, email 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 the milestones of human development from conception to death. We examine the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional growth of children, adolescents, and adults, and the various factors (e.g., genetics, parenting, peer groups, schooling, and the media) that influence development. Our goal is to give you an initial introduction to the main issues, the central theories and findings, and the dominant research methods used to study them.
In this course, we take a multi-dimensional approach to learning and give you several avenues through which to obtain information (e.g., lectures, text, films) and to demonstrate your knowledge (e.g., exams, papers). We view learning as a process in which the student is actively engaged in the course material and not just a passive recipient. We hope that students can integrate the content of this course with their knowledge of psychology and observations of human development. We will also discuss the implications of course content for child-rearing and education so that you can apply your knowledge to meaningful problems.
STATS 280 - Honors Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis (MSA, QR/1)
Section: 001
STATS 280 will provide in-depth discussion of models and methods that are appropriate to specific situations, criteria for selecting among them, their strengths and weaknesses and their conceptual footing. Interactive learning will be emphasized in lectures and the laboratory module. During the lab, students will learn to use modern statistical software for visualization and data analysis, and carry out the computational parts of lab assignments.
STATS 280 includes derivations of basic statistical results such as expected values and sampling variances using techniques from pre-calculus mathematics. Students will also be expected to master quantitative relationships such as scaling relationships between variances, sample sizes, and standard errors
Definition and summary of univariate and bivariate data, distributions, correlation, and associated visualization techniques; randomization in comparative studies and in survey sampling; basic probability calculus, including conditional probabilities, concept of random variables and their properties; sampling distributions and the central limit theorem; statistical inference, including hypothesis tests, confidence intervals; one sample and two sample problems with binary and continuous data, including nonparametric procedures; analysis of variance; simple and bivariate regression; simple design of experiments; chisquare and rank-based tests for association and independence.
WGS 240 - Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies (HU, RE)
Crosslisted with AMCULT 240
Section: 014 (LSA HNRS)
A survey introduction to women's studies which serves as a foundation for more advanced work. Explores how women’s lives differ across social categories such as race, class, sexual orientation, and age, with an emphasis on the situations of women in the United States today. An interdisciplinary approach acquaints students with the broad dimensions of the field.
