Major Code BS1929

Honors Tutorial College
35 Park Place
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.2723
Fax: 740.593.9521
honors.college@ohio.edu
www.ohio.edu/honors

David Chelberg, director of studies/contact person
chelberg@ohio.edu

Program Overview

The HTC program in computer science offers exceptional students the opportunity to study the many aspects of computer science in one-on-one relationships with Computer Science faculty members. Maximum opportunities will be afforded for the student to progress well beyond the material found in conventional courses. The primary purpose of the tutorial program is to serve as preparation for graduate study. Students will receive a degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Sciences from the Honors Tutorial College.

Tutorials

Students are required to complete eight tutorials within the Russ College of Engineering and Technology, including two devoted to the thesis for 6 credit hours each. In addition to the tutorials, the student must complete the Tier I English requirements, all core mathematics, science, computer science, and electrical engineering courses not covered by tutorials. Internships and/or study abroad may be included within the program with special permission from the director of studies (credit will only be given once). Honors Tutorial students take a minimum of 15 hours per semester.

Advising and Monitoring

Each student receives initial advice from the director of studies regarding selection and sequencing of courses, choice of a thesis advisor, and other procedural matters. The thesis advisor will monitor the thesis work. A typical tutorial will meet on a weekly basis for a minimum of one hour. The student and the tutor will discuss the current reading and written assignments, discuss problems and solutions, and offer critical analysis, and the tutor continuously evaluates the progress of the student. A final grade is made based on any facets of evaluation available to the tutor: written assignments, written exams, oral exams, discussions, presentations by the student, field work, etc.

The Honors Thesis

The honors thesis is a reflection of the student’s special interests. Its acceptance, dependent upon an appropriate mixture of research and analysis, relies upon the judgment of his or her thesis advisor. It is expected that this major paper will constitute work of the highest quality in investigating a problem of concern to both scholars and practitioners. Although an intensive study of relevant theoretical and research literatures is the underpinning of the thesis, students are encouraged to augment this scholarly base with field data whenever possible.

Evaluation

Students throughout the program earn letter grades consistent with the University grading system and are expected to maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Students who earn less than a B (3.0), or who maintain less than a 3.5 GPA will need to confer with the director of studies and/or the Dean of the College. In addition to letter grade assessments, tutors complete semester based course descriptions and evaluations of each student’s work. In these assessments both the student’s academic standing and academic attitude are evaluated.

Admissions Information

Freshmen/First-Year Admission

Students are selected by the director of studies of the computer science tutorial program and the Honors Tutorial College on the basis of superior ability and sustained motivation. Typically, selected students have superb scores on standardized tests (30 composite score on the ACT or a combined score of 1300 on the SAT) and also an outstanding high school record (class standing in the top 10%). An interview with the director of studies is required for acceptance into the program. Recommendations from two high school teachers are strongly recommended. Please note that personalized aspects of the tutorial system occasionally make it possible for us to accept students who have not performed well on standardized measures of ability but who demonstrate exceptional aptitude in other ways. The priority deadline for applications is December 1st, and admission interviews are held in January.

Change of Program Policy

First-year students at Ohio University may apply to transfer into the computer science tutorial program and the Honors Tutorial College. These students must meet the same entrance requirements as entering freshmen. The priority deadline for application is December 1st.

External Transfer Admission

First-year students at another institution may also apply to transfer into the computer science tutorial program and the Honors Tutorial College. These students must meet the same entrance requirements as entering freshmen. The priority deadline for application is December 1st.

Opportunities Upon Graduation

Most students graduating from the program either take positions in industry as a software engineer or other, similarly titled position, or may go on to further their studies in a graduate program in computer science.

Requirements