Graduation Honors
The University Medal is the highest campus honor awarded to a graduating senior in recognition of superior scholarship and achievement. A College or School Medal is also given to the outstanding graduating student in each of the colleges and professional schools.
Additional honors are awarded by each College. The information offered here is not all inclusive. For more information see your adviser or consult the UC Davis General Catalog.
College of Biological Sciences Honors and Awards
Each year, the College of Biological Sciences presents the Undergraduate Student of the Year Award to an outstanding graduating student.
Citations for academic excellence and outstanding performance are awarded to biological sciences students who have achieved academic excellence in their Major and participated in an independent research project. Recipients are nominated by the faculty of their Major based on academic record and recommendation from their research professors. Nominations are reviewed and confirmed by the University Committee on Undergraduate Scholarships, Honors and Prizes. Citations are presented annually at the College of Biological Sciences Citation Awards Ceremony and reception hosted by the deans, faculty and staff of the College . Students are encouraged to invite their family, major professors, and friends to celebrate their achievement.
Biological Sciences Students in the College of Letters and Science
A final overall grade point average (GPA) is necessary for honors for students graduating from the College of Letters and Science. This GPA changes yearly at the end of winter quarter. The GPA is based on the GPA's of the top 16% of graduating seniors. See the General Catalog for details. For high or highest honors students must complete the year-long Honors Program of the College of Letters and Science AND meet the established grade point average.
Qualified students must be enrolled in the College of Letters and Science and must have completed 135 units with a GPA of at least 3.5 in their major before starting the project. Other prerequisites for entering the program are defined by the major. The program consists of a project whose specific nature is determined by consultation with the student's major adviser.
For CBS students, it is a year long research project that culminates in a thesis.
Students wishing to participate the Program should begin by contacting an adviser in their Major department.
Biological Sciences Students in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Students must achieve the GPA established for one of three honors categories, honors, high honors or highest honors. These GPAs change yearly at the end of winter quarter based on the GPA's of the top 16% of graduating seniors. See the General Catalog for more details.