IB Honors - Frequently Asked Questions

The purpose of this page is to answer some questions that you might have when looking for a major within the field of biology. If you have gotten here, then you have at least heard of IB Honors. So far so good.

If you haven't seen the SIB official pages detailing all the requirements of the program, you probably want to have a look, at least before committing yourself to the idea.

On the other hand, if you didn't get here from there, you might also want to take a look at the unofficial, IB Honors news page, "The Integrator". This page changes frequently, with new and timely stories every 4 to 6 weeks. It also has an archive of past "issues".

Interviews will be February 26th, 28th and 29th in the afternoons. Call Debbie Lanter at 333-3044 to make an appointment. Interviews take about 20 min, and are informal. You will also have the chance to ask faculty and current students questions you have about us.

Here are other questions you might have and that I already know about. Ask me something else, and I can add it to the list, too.

Q: What is so cool about being in IB Honors?
A: You can start with the class size and camaraderie. Each year, a new group of only about 20 honors students is admitted, and they share the same IB Honors classes for the three semesters. They all have keys and 24 h access to the IB Honors classroom and lab, and often use this as a place to study together, and help each other.

Of course, it is often the case the IB Honors students find themselves the the same Chemistry, Math or Physics classes, too.

The result? A high quality, small college experience in a very big university, with a group of students who all share your passion for biology.
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Q: I came from a small high school with no AP program. Can I still be in IB Honors?
A: Absolutely. The defining thing about IB Honors students is not who they have been, but who they are, and their overwhelming, shared characteristics are their intellectual capacity and their passion for biology. The Big U can certainly be intimidating for its shear size and apparent impersonality. IB Honors is a great way to get away from that and to turn the ideas that got you here into reality.
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Q: How do IB Honors classes differ from other biology classes?
A: First, in IB Honors, the three core biology classes are all lab classes taught by the actual, real-live professor. Are there TAs? Yes, but as an additional resource for the students, not as the primary contacts..Second, the pace is generally much faster and more in tune with the high quality of the students who have joined the program. No one goes away from a large lecture or a lab bored. They also don't tend to go away early; the labs are pretty intense exercises for both the students and the professors.
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Q: Can I be premed and in IB Honors? Don't I need to major in MCB in order to get into med school?
A: You can major in anything, even English or music, and go to med school. Med Schools don't have any requirements regarding the majors they accept. Be sure to check early and often with the Career Center about actual Med School requirements and preparation procedures.

About a third of IB Honors students are pre-med, or pre-vet, or pre-dent. The IB Honors curriculum is broad, rigorous and demanding, and "looks good on your resumé". It prepares you for any upper-level course in biology, regardless of the rubric or home department. IB Honors students in pre-med/vet/dent will undoubtedly take MCB courses.

At the same time, IB Honors provides a broad education in all aspects of being an integrated organism. After all, what could be more consistent with a career in medicine than understanding of humans as integrated beings?
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Q: Can I be in IB Honors and still do research?

A. Absolutely. In fact, IB Honors requires a year of independent study in a lab. In practice, most IB Honors students start this in their sophomore year, or even as freshmen. This year, about 80% of the current students have become involved in research over the summer, with projects ranging from nitrogen-fixing bacteria that live in plants to mouse stem cells to biofuels. The IB Honors faculty and TAs, and the previous classes of IB Honors students, are a great resource for identifying labs and projects to fit any student.

Q: What if my goals don't involve research or health careers?
A: One "problem" with a career in biology is that there are so many possibilities that preparing for any one of them is a continuously evolving project. While the IB Honors faculty and academic advisors may be helpful in identifying a good path to start down, the fundamental truth of the matter is that any path is made easier by the kinds of good preparation that the IB Honors program affords.
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Q: Does the IB Honors curriculum leave any time for other activities?
A: Apparently so. A number of current IB Honors students volunteer in hospitals, or serve as EMTs. At least one plays in a rock band. One conducts a church choir. As a rule, IB Honors students seem to have gotten to the university and joined the program because they are both driven and well-organized. That itself can open up all kinds of time.
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Q: Can I be in IB Honors and still study abroad?
A: Yes. Because there is no set study abroad program, the details have to be worked out separately for each student. Be sure to check as early as you can with the Study Abroad office to get started.

Last year, more than 1800 students from UIUC studied abroad, for periods ranging from a month to a full year. They came from all colleges and majors and went to more than 20 countries. The IB Honors faculty and academic advisors are strongly committed to this kind of experience. Don't hesitate to ask.
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Q: How do I get to talk to a real person about IB Honors?
A: The simplest and best way is to call Prof. John Cheeseman (333-2385) or stop by his lab (283 Morrill Hall), or email him to set up a good time to meet.
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Last updated, 1.29.08