Skip to Main ContentSkip to Footer
University of Memphis Logo
ApplyVisitEventsNewsGiveumMailMyMemphis

Herff College of Engineering

Stand Out with Academic Excellence

At the Herff College of Engineering, motivated students have the chance to take their education further through prestigious honors opportunities.
Whether you join the renowned Helen Hardin Honors College or a departmental honors program, you’ll benefit from small classes, research experiences and a community that values intellectual curiosity.

Why choose an honors program?

  • Gain an edge in competitive job markets and graduate school applications
  • Work closely with expert faculty on research projects
  • Build leadership, creativity, and critical thinking skills
  • Join a network of high-achieving peers

Helen Hardin Honors College

The Helen Hardin Honors College attracts some of the brightest undergraduate students at the University of Memphis.
Here’s why students choose Hardin Honors:

  • Small, discussion-based classes led by dedicated professors
  • Unique research opportunities across disciplines
  • Prestigious scholarships: Truman, Goldwater, Fulbright, Rotary
  • Academic community focused on creativity, leadership, and service

The goal? To cultivate a community of academically talented and motivated students who achieve success — both on campus and after graduation.

Departmental Honors Programs at Herff College

Herff College offers departmental honors tracks in multiple engineering disciplines. Students who complete these programs graduate with honors recognition, which appears on their diploma and transcript and is announced at commencement.

"Herff Departmental Honors Programs"

  • Eligibility: Junior standing, GPA ≥ 3.4, and departmental approval

  • Requirements:

    • Minimum of 10 hours of upper-division honors courses

    • BIOM 4800 (BME Honors Seminar)

    • Honors thesis (BIOM 4999)

  • Recognition: Degree conferred “With Honors in Biomedical Engineering”

  • Eligibility: Junior/senior standing, GPA ≥ 3.25, or departmental approval

  • Requirements: 12 hours of upper-division honors courses

  • Recognition: Degree conferred “With Honors in Civil Engineering”

  • Eligibility: Junior standing, GPA ≥ 3.4, and departmental approval

  • Requirements:

    • 8 hours of honors courses, including: EECE 4279 and EECE 4280 [W]

    • Honors thesis (EECE 4999)

  • Recognition: Degree conferred “With Honors in Computer Engineering”

  • Eligibility: Junior standing, GPA ≥ 3.4, and departmental approval

  • Requirements:

    • 8 hours of honors courses, including: EECE 4279 and EECE 4280 [W]

    • Honors thesis (EECE 4999)

  • Recognition: Degree conferred “With Honors in Electrical Engineering”

  • Eligibility:

    • Incoming freshmen with ACT ≥ 26 (or equivalent)

    • Transfer/continuing students: GPA ≥ 3.0 overall and GPA ≥ 3.25 in Herff courses

    • Approval of departmental honors committee

  • Requirements:

    • Maintain GPA ≥ 3.0 overall and GPA ≥ 3.25 in Herff courses

    • Complete at least 18 semester hours:

      • MECH 4395 and MECH 4396 (thesis preparation & completion)

      • 9 credits of upper-division mechanical engineering honors courses

      • 3 credits of MECH 1395, MECH 2395, or MECH 3395

    • Minimum grade of “B” in honors courses

  • Recognition: Degree conferred “With Honors in Mechanical Engineering”

 

Honors Assembly

Honors Assembly is an annual university event in which outstanding students from across the university are recognized for their accomplishments. Awards by department include: 

Department of Biomedical Engineering

Outstanding Senior Award
Presented annually to the outstanding senior in biomedical engineering based upon scholarship, leadership and service.

Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering

Dr. Fred H. Kellogg Award
Presented annually to the student graduating in that academic year, who, in the opinion of the faculty, is most likely to be an outstanding professional engineer. In selecting the recipient, the faculty will consider a combination of academic performance, demonstrated design capability, and those qualities of leadership, personality and character that will contribute to the successful practice of Civil Engineering.

Dr. Thomas S. Fry Award
Presented to the graduating student who has demonstrated academic achievement with a minimum of the last 60 credit hours of course work at The University of Memphis, and who has earned the highest GPA.

Dr. T. S. Wu Award
Given annually by the Civil Engineering Department to the senior who exemplifies the engineering design qualities and characteristics which were exemplified by Dr. T.S. Wu, Professor Emeritus, of the Civil Engineering Department.

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Outstanding Senior Award :  Presented annually to the outstanding senior in electrical and computer engineering based upon scholarship, leadership and service.

Department of Engineering Technology

Outstanding Senior Award
Presented annually to the outstanding senior in engineering technology based upon scholarship, leadership and service.

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Outstanding Senior Award
Presented annually to the outstanding senior in mechanical engineering based upon scholarship, leadership and service.

College-Wide Awards

Dean's Award
Presented annually to the graduating student who has complied the highest academic achievement in the Herff College of Engineering.