The New Integrator

Frequently Asked Questions about IB Honors

Welcome! - The purpose of this page is to answer some of the questions that prospective students in the IB Honors Biology program often have. It is quite possible, of course, that you have even more questions. In that case, please do not hesitate, at any time of year, to contact the program director, Prof. John Cheeseman, by email (link at the bottom of the page) or by phone (217-333-2385).

IBH Students at Graduation - Congratulations to the Class of 2009

If you haven't seen the SIB official pages detailing all the requirements of the program, you probably want to have a look. That page gives more detail on the nitty-gritty details than you will probably find here.

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. To see where we have been, The Integrator has an archive of past "issues". And to see where we are right now, check out the IBH blog.

What is so cool about being in IB Honors?
I came from a small high school with no AP program. Can I still be in IB Honors?
How do IB Honors classes differ from other biology classes?
Can I be premed and in IB Honors? Don't I need to major in MCB in order to get into med school?
Can I be in IB Honors and still do research?
What if my goals don't involve research or health careers?
Can I be in IB Honors and still be a James Scholar?
Can I meet my Advanced Composition requirement in IB Honors?
Does the IB Honors curriculum leave any time for other activities?
Can I be in IB Honors and still study abroad?
How do I get to talk to a real person about IB Honors?

What is so cool about being in IB Honors?
A: You can start with the class size. Each year, a new group of only about 15-20 honors students is admitted, and they share the same IB Honors classes for the three semesters. Then there is the camraderie. IB Honors students all have 24 h access to the classroom and lab, and use this as a place to study together or just hang out. Of course, it is often the case the IB Honors students find themselves in the same Chemistry, Math or Physics classes, too.

The result? A high quality, "small college" experience in a very big, outstanding university, with a group of students who all share your passion for biology.
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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 now... 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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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 additional resources for the students, not as the primary contacts. Second, the pace is generally much faster and 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; many labs are pretty intense exercises for both the students and the professors, while others are "open ended"... done when the needs of the experiment demand.
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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. But also check with the IB advising office and subscribe to their newsletter to keep up to date.

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 humans as integrated beings?
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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, and IBH students are much sought after by faculty all over campus. 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 been involved in research over the summer, with projects ranging from nitrogen-fixing bacteria that live in plants to drug discovery to biofuels to primate behavior in the Chimpanzee reserve in Uganda. 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.
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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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Can I be in IB Honors and still be a James Scholar?
A: Good question, and of course, the answer is yes. In fact, all three of the core courses (IB 270, 271 and 372) carry James Scholar credit. Students who are also Campus Honors Program still need to take the CHP courses, however.
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Can I meet my Advanced Composition requirement in IB Honors?
A: Yes. IB 271 (Organismal Biology) satisfies the Advance Comp requirement.
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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 played in a rock band. One conducted a church choir. Others have organized charity events (e.g. 10 km runs), and helped in public school science teaching. Several have been TAs in Chem, and RAs in the residence halls. 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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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. In AY 2009-2010, one of our IBH students is in England for the year. The IB Honors faculty and academic advisors are strongly committed to this kind of experience. Don't hesitate to ask for help in working out your plan.
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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 (use the contact link at the bottom of the page) to set up a good time to meet. His schedule tends to be more open than yours, so he will ask what times are best for you.
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