ECS Academic Honors Programs FAQ Entries

This page is used to answer questions regarding the ECS Academic Honors Programs; such as CS/SE/EE/CE/TE Honors.

Disclaimer

We are not an official source of information regarding these programs. This information is provided based upon our experiences and understanding. Any questions specific to your position should be directed to the administration for the specific program. The official information published by the school comes from the undergraduate catalog for each major.

Undergraduate Catalog Information about Honors

Refer to the Undergraduate Catalog for official information regarding honors programs. A summary of the Academic Honors Program information from the undergraduate catalog is here.

The FAQ

If you have questions about the ECS Honors Society, see the HonorsSocietyFAQ.

What is the ECS Academic Honors Program? What is the difference between the ECS Honors Society and the CS/SE/EE/CE/TE Academic Honors Programs? What are the entrance requirements for the CS/SE Academic Honors Program? What are the entrance requirements for the EE/CE/TE Academic Honors Program? How do I join one of these academic programs? How are CS Honors class sections different from non-honors CS sections? What rewards do I get for completing an ECS Academic Honors Program? Can I be in Fast-Track and Honors at the same time? CS Honors Prerequisites Chart Can you clarify the EE/CE/TE Honors Graduation Requirements?

Answers

What is the ECS Academic Honors Program?

The ECS Academic Honors Program is really a collection of programs run by each department (CS/EE) for each major (CS/SE. EE/CE/TE). The Academic Honors programs are official programs run by UTD. These programs allow students to take certain upper division classes in their major and receive 'major honors' credit for them. Depending upon the department (CS for CS/SE, EE for EE/CE/TE) the format of the special courses varies. There are several benefits for participating in the program, see this FAQ for a list. One of the key benefits of participation in the program is the ability to advertise your enrollment on your resume for future job applications and graduate school applications.

What is the difference between the ECS Honors Society and the CS/SE/EE/CE/TE Academic Honors Programs?

The ECS Honors Society is a student organization that brings social, service and educational enrichment activities to past, present and future academic honors program students. On the other hand, the ECS Academic Honors Programs are school run programs that you can receive academic credit for your participation. Each program has specific entrance requirements and participation requirements that interested students should meet.

What are the entrance requirements for the CS/SE Academic Honors Program?

Admission to the Honors programs requires a 3.50 or better GPA in at least 30 hours of coursework.

What are the entrance requirements for the EE/CE/TE Academic Honors Program?

Admission to the Honors programs requires a 3.50 or better GPA in at least 30 hours of coursework.

How do I join one of these academic programs?

You can joing the CS/SE Honors Programs by filling out the application at http://www.utdallas.edu/~ntafos/. For the EE/CE/TE programs, you should talk to your academic adviser in the ECS Advising Suite.

How are CS Honors class sections different from non-honors CS sections?

• Smaller, more interactive classes (Generally less like a lecture, and more like a discussion.)
• Classes are taught by tenure-track faculty

But you don't have to worry. The classes are still graded based upon mastery of the material, not competition. Past honors students have agreed, that the work requested from students is not overwhelming compared to a non-honors class, but the work does require more thought and more in-depth understanding of the subject.

What rewards do I get for completing an ECS Academic Honors Program?

The credit for these classes can eventually allow a student to receive graduation benefits such as:

• Diploma recognition
• Final transcript recognition
• Ceremonial recognition (extra sash)

Some of the programs have some more short-term benefits such as

• Access to a 24/7 computer lab just for honors students
• Smaller, more interactive classes (Generally less like a lecture, and more like a discussion.)
• Classes taught by tenure-track faculty

Can I be in Fast-Track and Honors at the same time?

Of course! These programs actually work quite well together. For example, the CS/SE honors programs will accept a number (currently up to 4) of fast-track (graduate) course credits as honors credits. This puts you closer to receiving the graduation related benefits of the academic honors program. Anyways, both programs target the same student population: motivated, education-driven students who would like to promote their career, academic or industrial.

Actually, Fast-Track is even required in order to graduate with EE/CE/TE honors!

CS Honors Prerequisites Chart

CS Honors Prerequisite Chart can be found here

Can you clarify the EE/CE/TE Honors Graduation Requirements?

Just in case the Undergraduate Catalog explanation of the EE/CE/TE Honors graduation requirements seemed like Greek here is some help.

1. You must complete an honors thesis in addition to your senior design project.
2. You must complete at least 5 honors credit courses.
   1. At least 3 of these must be Fast-Track graduate courses. (This requirement may be relaxed in future undergraduate catalogs for CE/TE students.)
   2. At least 1 of these must be an undergraduate honors course.
      • CE/TE Honors students can receive honors course credit for CS or EE department offered honors course sections.