List of Honors Courses

Fall 2026

Honors Courses

 

ANTH 005H: Biological Anthropology

Introduction to evolution and how natural selection has shaped modern human variation. Examination of non-human primate behavior and how analogous it might be to that of early humans. Discussion of culture, the fossil evidence, genetics, and inheritance.

  • General Education Requirements
    • Approaches to Knowledge: Life Science

    • Approaches to Knowledge: Social Science

    • Approaches to Knowledge: Societies and Cultures of the Past

    • Intellectual Experience: Global Awareness

    • Intellectual Experience: Sustainability

    • Intellectual Experience: Ethics

    • Intellectual Experience: Scientific Method

  • CRN: 31619
    • Lecture
    • Tuesday, Thursday
    • 3:00 pm - 4:15 pm
    • COB1 102
  • CRN: 31622
    • Lab
    • Tuesday
    • 4:30 pm - 5:20 pm
 

 

CHEM 002H: Honors Gen Chem I

First semester of a two-semester honors general chemistry sequence. Stoichiometric calculations, types of chemical reactions, properties of gases, thermochemistry, introduction to chemical equilibrium, basic atomic structure and atomic orbital theory, periodic properties, and chemical bonding. Concepts and quantitative skills introduced in lecture are reinforced by a discussion and laboratory section.

  • General Education Requirements
    • Approaches to Knowledge: Physical Science

    • Intellectual Experience: Scientific Method

  • CRN: 33110
    • Lecture
    • Monday, Wednesday, Friday
    • 11:30 am - 12:20 pm
    • GRAN 150
  • CRN: 33404
    • Discussion
    • Friday
    • 9:30 am - 10:20 am
    • Admin 253
 

 

ECON 001H: Intro to Econ Honors

Introduction to economics principles and methods, including microeconomics (operation of the economy at the individual and firm level) and macroeconomics (nature and functions of the national economy in a global context).

  • General Education Requirements
    • Intellectual Experience: Scientific Method

    • Approaches to Knowledge: Social Science

  • CRN: 31605
    • Lecture
    • Tuesday, Thursday
    • 4:30 pm - 6:20 pm
    • COB1 102
  • CRN: 31606
    • Discussion
    • Monday
    • 4:30 pm - 5:20 pm
    • SSB 110
 

 

PHYS 008H: Honors Physics I

A mathematically intense introduction to classical mechanics designed for majors and other highly motivated students. Utilizing differential and integral calculus, topics include forces, kinetics, energy, momentum, gravity, rotations, waves, and fluids. Advanced coursework in all areas (i.e. homework, etc.) prepares students for success in upper-division physics courses.

  • General Education Requirements
    • Approaches to Knowledge: Physical Science

    • Intellectual Experience: Scientific Method

  • CRN: 32982
    • Lecture
    • Monday, Wednesday
    • 4:30 pm - 5:45 pm
    • COB2 130
  • CRN: 32984
    • Lab
    • Tuesday
    • 1:30 pm - 3:20 pm
 

 

PSY 193H: Honors in PSY i

Intended for advanced-level students seeking to complete an independent research project in collaboration with a faculty advisor in Psychological Sciences. Provides structure and guidance for conducting an independent research project, concrete deadlines and feedback during the research process, and a forum within which to share and present research findings with fellow honors students in Psychological Science.

  • General Education Requirements
    • Approaches to Knowledge: Literary and Textual Analysis

    • Intellectual Experience: Scientific Method

    • Upper Division: Culminating Experience

    • Upper Division: Writing in the Discipline

  • CRN: 32916
    • Lecture
    • Monday, Wednesday
    • 6:00 pm - 7:15 pm
    • SSB 110
 

 

PSY 194H: Honors in Psychological Sciences II

The Honors in Psychological Sciences course is intended for advanced-level students seeking to complete an independent research project in collaboration with a faculty advisor in Psychological Sciences. This course is intended to provide structure and guidance for conducting an independent research project, concrete deadlines and feedback during the research process, and a forum within which to share and present research findings with fellow honors students in Psychological Science.

  • General Education Requirements
    • Approaches to Knowledge: Literary and Textual Analysis
    • Intellectual Experience: Scientific Method
    • Upper Division: Culminating Experience
    • Upper Division: Writing in the Discipline
  • CRN: 10752
    • Seminar
    • Monday, Wednesday
    • 6:00 pm - 7:15 pm
    • SSB 110
 

 

SPRK 001H: Scientific Inquiry with AI

Introduces students to life at a research university. Students focus on the nature of inquiry by exploring a particular topic over the course of the semester, approaching it from multiple perspectives and possibly multiple disciplines. Students learn how to generate research questions, engage with campus and/or local resources, and think critically. Students synthesize and present their ideas in writing and other forms of communication (visual, oral, and/or numerical). For more information on specific SPRK sections, visit https://ge.ucmerced.edu/spark.

  • General Education Requirements
    • Lower Division: Spark Seminar
  • CRN: 13185
    • Seminar
    • Tuesday, Thursday
    • 1:30 pm - 3:20 pm
    • BSP 201
     

 

SPRK 010H

Introduces students to life at a research university. Students focus on the nature of inquiry by exploring a particular topic over the course of the semester. Students learn how to generate and answer research questions by applying appropriate methods. For more information on specific SPRK sections, visit https://ge.ucmerced.edu/spark.

  • Cornerstone Engineering Design 
    • CRN: 32958
    • Seminar
    • Friday
    • 9:30 am - 11:20 am
    • GRAN 125
  • Community Mapping 
    • CRN: 32977
    • Seminar
    • Thursday
    • 11:30 am - 1:20 pm
    • COB1 270
 

 

WRI 010H: College Reading & Composition

Development of college-level skills in effective use of language, analysis and argumentation, organization and strategies for creation, revision and editing.

  • General Education Requirements
    • Lower Division: Written Communication

    CRN: 32954

    • Lecture
    • Tuesday, Thursday
    • 3:30 pm - 5:20 pm
    • COB1 205
  • CRN: 32955
    • Lecture
    • Tuesday, Thursday
    • 5:30 pm - 7:20 pm
    • COB1 205
 

Honors First-Year Seminar

 

HON 001H: Honors Seminar I

Focuses on exploration and inquiry. Exposes students to multiple academic fields with an introduction to our research university, and familiarizes students with on campus opportunities for experiential learning, leadership, mentoring, and community services. Provides training and practice for working in interdisciplinary groups and appreciating diverse perspectives through small group projects, encouraging participation in discussions, presenting oral presentations, and writing reflection pieces.

  • CRN: 31535
    • Seminar
    • Monday
    • 2:30 pm - 3:20 pm
    • KL 316
  • CRN: 31536
    • Seminar
    • Monday
    • 1:30 pm - 2:20 pm
    • SSM 102
  • CRN: 31537
    • Seminar
    • Tuesday
    • 12:30 pm - 1:20 pm
    • SSM 102
 

Honors Second-Year Seminar

 

HON 002H: Honors Seminar II

  • CRN: 32868
    • Seminar
    • Wednesday
    • 9:30 am - 10:20 am
    • COB1 282
  • CRN: 32869
    • Seminar
    • Friday
    • 10:30 am - 11:20 am
    • COB1 276

 

Summer 2026

Honors Courses

 

WRI 010H: College Reading and Composition

Development of college-level skills in effective use of language, analysis and argumentation, organization and strategies for creation, revision and editing.

  • General Education Requirements
    • Lower Division: Written Communication
  • CRN: 20550
    • Seminar
    • Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
    • 11:00 am - 1:20 pm
    • COB 262
    • Summer Session C
      • 7/6/2026 - 8/14/2026