The honors thesis enables students to explore a particular area of research interest in depth. Students who pursue honors research are closely mentored by a faculty member. Learn more about Lafayette’s requirements and procedures for departmental honors.
If you are interested in doing senior honors research, start talking to engineering faculty members in your field during your junior year. Honors research often follows from doing Excel research or an independent study. Honors in integrative engineering is given upon successful completion of the two-semester course sequence ES 495 and ES 496 and submittal and presentation of the honors theses. The honors designation will appear on your official transcript.
In special cases, depending on the nature of the honors project and its design content in particular, honors thesis can substitute for capstone. More typically the two courses count as engineering electives toward your degree requirements. If you want to substitute honors for capstone, you must meet with the Program Chair and your thesis advisor during your junior year to develop a plan for meeting ABET-related requirements.