Program Director: Diane C. Tucker, PhD, Professor of Psychology
Associate Directors: Joe L. March, PhD, Associate Professor of Chemistry; and Joel Berry, PhD, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Program Manager: Clay Walls, BA
The Science and Technology Honors Program at UAB revolutionizes the undergraduate experience. Acceptance to the program places students in the company of fellow scholars and world-renowned researchers. Science and Technology Honors (STH) students take part in unique academic and research experiences specifically designed to give them a head start on a scientific or technical career.
This unique program is the only one of its kind in Alabama. It is designed for the best and brightest students whose academic and extracurricular achievements demonstrate intellectual curiosity, energy, creativity, and leadership abilities. As a graduate of the STH Program, a student is well prepared for graduate study at the Master’s or Doctoral level as well as for professional school.
Mission
To prepare scientific leaders of the next generation by engaging students in interdisciplinary classroom, leadership, and research experiences which culminate in the dissemination of new scientific knowledge.
Vision
- UAB’s Science and Technology Honors Program will recruit a diverse group of talented undergraduate students, involve faculty from across the university as teachers and mentors, and provide a unique educational experience for students.
- Through interdisciplinary courses and laboratory research experiences, students will be exposed to the power of integrating multidisciplinary approaches and will apply this perspective to research questions.
- Science and Technology Honors students will be trained in scientific thinking and communication and will conduct and disseminate original research or scholarship under the supervision of a faculty mentor.
- STHP graduates will be well prepared for graduate and professional study and will show evidence of leadership in academic, economic, and policy areas related to science and technology during their careers.
Benefits
Students in the STH Program work closely with research faculty and participate in original scientific research. During the first two years, the program prepares students with the knowledge and skills they need to get started in research. Beginning as early as the freshman or sophomore year, students work closely with a faculty mentor on an individualized project, learning about research through apprenticeship. STH students are encouraged to attend national conferences and to publish their research in scientific journals.
The program is a closely knit community with approximately 50 undergraduate students admitted each year. The small number encourages collaboration among students, interaction with faculty, and sharing of ideas. Students receive priority registration and take science and technology focused sections of core courses such as EH 202 and CMST 101. In addition, STH students can earn graduate credit, providing an advantage when pursuing an advanced degree.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
STH students are required to maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA in their UAB undergraduate coursework through graduation. If a student's UAB GPA falls below 3.0, the student will have one year to raise his/her GPA to 3.0 or higher in order to remain in and complete the program.
Coursework
The academic portion of the Science and Technology Honors Program builds upon UAB’s research strengths in science and technology. Special interdisciplinary courses such as Introductory Seminar (STH 199) and Interdisciplinary Seminar (STH 299) examine topics from many scientific and technical perspectives, illustrating how scientists integrate multiple fields of study when approaching research and development questions.
Students discover the methodologies and techniques used in a variety of research areas, including biology, cell biology, chemistry, computer and information systems, engineering, neuroscience, psychology, physics, and more. In their Research Approaches I (STH 201) and Research Approaches II (STH 202) courses, students get hands-on experience in laboratory techniques and visit laboratories to observe researchers up close and in action.
Exclusive seminars put students face to face with UAB’s best known researchers who share their insights and experiences from the lab and the field. The entire curriculum is designed to encourage independent thinking, questioning of ideas, creative problem-solving, and skill in scientific communication. STH coursework also integrates seamlessly with honors programs in science and technology majors.
The program culminates in a two-year intensive research experience under the direction of UAB faculty. Students build upon the methods they have learned in their courses and seminars to propose and conduct an independent research project in collaboration with their faculty mentor. This project becomes the student’s Honors Thesis. The Honors Thesis is prepared for publication in a scientific journal and for presentation at a national conference. Thus, many STH students will both publish a scientific paper and present at a national conference before graduating from UAB. Students in the program must complete 30 hours of honors coursework, which includes 19 hours of Science and Technology Honors courses and at least 8 hours of independent research under the direction of a faculty mentor to complete their Honors Thesis research. Honors versions of many core courses have been developed and contribute to the 30 hours of honors credit required.
Who Should Apply
This program is best suited for students who are intensely curious about science and excited about the prospect of becoming a generator of new knowledge in their field. In addition to curiosity about science, successful applicants generally have a strong academic record and plan to pursue a career in science or technology. STH students typically have a GPA of 3.5 or higher in their high school academic courses and ACT or SAT scores at or above the 90th percentile in math and science. Because the program values diversity and strives to accommodate talented students, applications are reviewed individually and invited applicants are personally interviewed.
Applications and letters of reference must be received by December 15th of the student’s senior year of high school. Students interested in applying for admission to the Science and Technology Honors Program may visit our website or contact us using the information below.
1720 2nd Ave S, HHB 531
Birmingham, AL 35294-1152
(205) 996-5701
sthonors@uab.edu
STH Signature Courses
Each student in the program takes the following STH Program coursework during their first two years in the program to prepare for their independent research experience
STH 199 Introductory Seminar. Fall semester of freshman year. 2 credit hours. Students work in teams to analyze current scientific problems under investigation by UAB faculty, learning about how scientists approach problems and conduct their research, including ethics and institutional review of human and animal research.
STH 299 Interdisciplinary Seminar. Fall semester of sophomore year. 3 credit hours. This course illustrates the synergy achieved by interdisciplinary analysis of problems. Example topics include Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, Energy Generation and Conservation, Central Nervous System Disorders, and Forensic Science: The Science Behind CSI.
STH 201 Research Approaches I and STH 202 Research Approaches II. Spring semester of freshman and sophomore years. 3 credit hours each. Systematic training in foundational research methodologies and opportunity to application of the methods in research laboratories. Students choose among a Biotechnology Training Lab, Advanced Chemical Analysis, or Engineering Design and Materials Analysis in their freshman year and rotate through laboratories chosen to match their research interests in their sophomore year.
STH 301 Statistics and Design Overview. Spring semester of sophomore year. 3 credit hours. Introduction to principles of research design and statistical analysis, including a statistics laboratory for hands on experience. Students may satisfy the STH 301 requirement by earning credit for an equivalent statistics course approved by the STH program director, e.g., or . Alternative credit through AP or IB is also acceptable.
Curriculum
To graduate with University Honors in Science and Technology, students must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of honors coursework including the following required courses:
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Seminars | ||
| STH 199 | Introductory Seminar | 2 |
| STH 299 | Interdisciplinary Seminar | 3 |
| Research Methods/Applications | ||
| STH 201 | Research Approaches I | 3 |
| STH 202 | Research Approaches II a | 3 |
| Statistics | ||
| STH 301 | Statistics and Design Overview b | 3 |
| Honors Thesis Preparation | ||
| STH 395 | Science and Technology Honors Proposal Preparation | 1 |
| STH 400 | Science and Technology Honors Thesis Preparation | 1 |
| Honors Research c | ||
| Minimum number of research hours required | 8 | |
| Science and Technology Honors Research | ||
| Science and Technology Honors Thesis Research | ||
| Honors College Leadership | ||
| HAC 101 | Honors College Leadership | 1 |
| HAC 201 | Leadership Skills | 1 |
| HAC 301 | Prime Time Leadership | 1 |
| Total Hours | 27 | |
| a | Students may satisfy the STH 202 requirement by having research experience in at least two laboratories and approval of the STH program director. |
| b | Students may satisfy the STH 301 requirement by earning credit for an equivalent statistics course approved by the STH program director including but not limited to MA 180 or PY 214. Alternative credit through AP and IB is also acceptable. |
| c | Students may also register for research credit under the equivalent course(s) in the department of their major, e.g., BY 398, BY 498, CH 297, CH 497, BME 494, BME 495, etc. These are interchangeable with STH 398 and STH 399 and are all counted as honors hours. |
Optional STH Electives
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| STH 310 | Communicating Science | 1-3 |
| STH 396 | Internship and Community Projects/SL | 1-3 |
| STH 397 | Science and Technology Honors Independent Study | 1-3 |
Proposed Program of Study for Science and Technology Honors Students
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Term | Hours | Second Term | Hours |
| STH 100 | 1 | STH 201 | 3 |
| STH 199 | 2 | HAC 201 | 1-3 |
| HAC 101 | 1-3 | ||
| EH 202 (or EH 102)1, 2 | 3 | ||
| 7-9 | 4-6 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| First Term | Hours | Second Term | Hours |
| STH 299 | 3 | STH 202 | 3 |
| CMST 101 | 3 | STH 301 | 3,4 |
| HAC 301 | 1-3 | ||
| 7-9 | 6-7 | ||
| Junior | |||
| First Term | Hours | Second Term | Hours |
| STH 398 | 2 | STH 395 | 1 |
| STH 398 | 2 | ||
| 2 | 3 | ||
| Senior | |||
| First Term | Hours | Second Term | Hours |
| STH 399 | 2 | STH 400 | 1 |
| STH 399 | 2 | ||
| 2 | 3 | ||
| Total credit hours: 34-41 | |||
| 1 | If the student has not completed EH 101, then the student will take EH 101 in the fall semester of freshman year followed by a special STH section of EH 102 in the spring of the freshman year instead of EH 202. |
| 2 | If the student has not completed EH 102, then the student would take a special STH section of EH 102 instead of EH 202 here. |
| 3 | An approved honors elective may be substituted for CMST 101. |
Courses
STH 100. Science and Technology Honors Participation/SL. 1 Hour.
Service Learning for Science and Technology Honors Program students. Credit earned through Program Meetings, Volunteerism, Student Executive Council, Campus Lecture Series attendance, and other activities approved by the program director. Student is responsible for maintaining required attendance records/documentation.
STH 101. Science and Technology Honors Program Meeting. 0 Hours.
Participation in regular program meetings and/or seminar series.
STH 150. Skills for Leadership & Innov. 1 Hour.
Introduction to individual leadership styles and basics of team function. Student groups address innovation challenge to apply leadership and teamwork principles.
STH 151. Problem Analysis/Proj Planning. 1 Hour.
Students will analyze a problem or need and develop a plan to address the need. Skills such as developing measurable outcomes and communicating with stakeholders are emphasized.
Prerequisites: STH 150 [Min Grade: C] or HAC 101 [Min Grade: C]
STH 199. Introductory Seminar. 2 Hours.
Fall semester of freshman year for students accepted in the Science and Technology Honors Program. Discussion of basic concepts of scientific methodology will be woven around presentations by faculty from diverse disciplines. Discussion of contemporary scientific topics is also included.
STH 200. Science and Technology Honors Participation II. 1 Hour.
Service Learning for Science and Technology Honors Program students. Credit earned through Program Meetings, Volunteerism, Student Executive Council, Campus Lecture Series attendance, and other activities approved by the program director. Student is responsible for maintaining required attendance records/documentation.
Prerequisites: STH 100 [Min Grade: P]
STH 201. Research Approaches I. 3 Hours.
Spring semester of freshman year. Hands-on experience with research methods. Students participate in a lab experience such as Biotechnology, Engineering, or Chemical Analysis where they learn state-of-the-art techniques used in research laboratories.
Prerequisites: STH 199 [Min Grade: C]
STH 202. Research Approaches II. 3 Hours.
Spring semester of sophomore year. Students will complete research rotations in laboratories related to their areas of interest with the goal of selecting a laboratory in which to conduct their Honors Thesis. Research by the end of the term. Bioethics discussions will be included.
Prerequisites: STH 299 [Min Grade: C]
STH 250. PrimeTime Leadership. 1-3 Hour.
Carry through leadership or innovation project. Document outcome of the project, report to stakeholder, and prepare public presentation of project.
Prerequisites: STH 151 [Min Grade: C] or HAC 201 [Min Grade: C]
STH 270. Perspectives on Innovation. 3 Hours.
Focus on investigating examples of innovation with the goal of understand the social, scientific, and economic context that supports the innovative climate. Permission of instructor required.
STH 299. Interdisciplinary Seminar. 3 Hours.
Fall semester of sophomore year. Team-taught course with faculty from several disciplines addressing how a complex problem is addressed by multiple disciplines. This course will illustrate the synergy achieved by interdisciplinary analysis of problems.
Prerequisites: STH 201 [Min Grade: C] or CH 201 [Min Grade: C]
STH 301. Statistics and Design Overview. 3,4 Hours.
Spring semester of sophomore year. Introduction to statistics and research design. Covers basics of experimental design and statistical decision theory; indices of central tendency, variability, and association; graphical data presentation; and statistical inference. Students have the option of taking the course for 4 credit hours which will include a computer laboratory component to illustrate principles and provide hands-on experience with statistical methods.
STH 310. Communicating Science. 1-3 Hour.
Students will collaborate with university faculty and staff to produce media products which communicate scientific concepts to the public. Permission of instructor is required.
STH 350. Next Level Leadership. 1-3 Hour.
Oversight of team organized to sustain leadership or innovation project.
Prerequisites: STH 250 [Min Grade: C] or HAC 301 [Min Grade: C]
STH 395. Science and Technology Honors Proposal Preparation. 1 Hour.
Seminar for students who are preparing to propose their honors thesis research and have worked in a lab for a minimum of one semester. Students will present and discuss their research plans and provide input into the proposals of classmates. Honors thesis research proposals will be completed by the end of the semester and defended before a faculty committee. Permission of program director is required.
STH 396. Internship and Community Projects/SL. 1-3 Hour.
Experiential learning through individually designed community based or clinically related experiences. Each project will have both experiential and academic components. Permission of program director is required.
STH 397. Science and Technology Honors Independent Study. 1-3 Hour.
Individually designed academic course of study under the direction of a selected faculty member.
Permission of the program director is required.
STH 398. Science and Technology Honors Research. 1-6 Hour.
Laboratory research under the supervision of a faculty mentor. Permission of program director is required.