Who May Participate and What Credits Do I Get?

Introductory Sequence

This can be an introductory sequence, without prerequisites. No science background is assumed (other than a normal high school program). The majority of participants are usually non-science majors, but the course work also satisfies some requirements for majors courses in geology, ecology and anthropology.

Any Major / Any Stage

Undergraduates with any major, at any stage of their university career, can enroll. We especially welcome high school seniors who will be entering a university in the Fall. You must apply, and be accepted, to UGA for the summer term to participate in the program. If you are a rising freshman, note that the program will allow you to enter college with all of UGA's Environmental and Multicultural Literacy, as well as Core Curriculum Science and Physical Education, requirements already complete. Incoming freshmen must change their matriculation date at UGA to the Summer term, if they originally applied for the Fall.

Participation from University of Georgia system students is encouraged, but course credits can be transferred to most other universities throughout the U.S. Those who are already students at other colleges must apply to UGA as a transient student for the summer session and be accepted to UGA; a separate $60 fee is required for application to UGA. Please check with the UGA Office of Undergraduate Admissions for information on applying for transient status.

All Students

Although the IFP is co-sponsored by the Honors Program at UGA, all students, whether in the Honors Program or not, are encouraged to apply. All applicants will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Recommendations, academic work, and interviews (if possible) will all be considered in evaluating applications. It is suggested that high school senior applicants have at least a 3.5 GPA and combined SAT scores of 1250.

Limited Size

Class size is limited to 24 students, so everyone will experience an in depth and intimate learning experience. Every student must take at least one course from each academic area (PE is optional).

Students successfully completing the program will receive 10-16 semester credits at the University of Georgia for:

  1. GEOL 2350H (Physical Geology); and
  2. GEOL 2360H (Historical Geology); or GEOL 4330 (Geology of North America); and
  3. ANTH 2120H (Introductory Anthropology) or ANTH 4020 (North American Indians); and
  4. ECOL 1000 and ECOL 1000L (Ecological Basis of Environmental Issues) or ECOL 4160 (Ecology of North America)
  5. PEDB 1100 (Beginning Backpacking/Hiking), this credit is optional.

Honors students with equivalent credit in one of the above listed academic courses may arrange to receive credit for Honors Directed Study ANTH, GEOL, or ECOL 4960H. Students interested in credit for an additional course or graduate credit (in one of these departments or in another department) should contact one of the program’s faculty members to discuss the possibilities.

If you matriculated before 2008

The 1000 and 2000 level courses offered in this program satisfy the Georgia Board of Regent’s Core Curriculum requirement for Science with lab (GEOL and ECOL), as well as one of the required Social Sciences (ANTH). Non-science majors can therefore complete their Core Area D science requirement on this program and start on the Social Science. The upper division courses can satisfy either elective, major or minor credit.

If you matriculated after 2008

The 1000 and 2000 level courses offered in this program satisfy the Georgia Board of Regent’s Core Curriculum requirement for Science with lab (GEOL and ECOL), as well as one of the required Social Sciences (ANTH). Non-science majors can therefore complete their Core Area II science requirement on this program and start on Core Area V in the Social Science. The upper division courses can satisfy either elective, major or minor credit.

The IFP courses satisfy the University-wide (UW) and Franklin College Arts and Sciences (FCA&S) requirements for:

  • UW - Environmental Literacy (GEOL and ECOL)
  • UW - Social science other than History (ANTH)
  • FCA&S - Multicultural Literacy (ANTH4020)
  • UW Area II - Physical science, with lab (GEOL)
  • UW Area II - Life Science (ECOL)
  • FCA&S - Biological science, with lab
  • UW - Basic Physical Education (PEDB)

Students who are planning to use scholarship money to help pay for this program should contact the Office of Student Financial Aid as soon as they are accepted into the program to arrange for their particular aid package.