There are two types of honors for undergraduates: Latin honors (summa, magna, cum laude) are determined by the College and English honors (highest honors, high honors, honors) are determined by concentrations. More precisely, the Latin honors are: “summa cum laude in a field”, “magna cum laude with Highest Honors in a field”, “magna cum laude in a field”, “cum laude in a field”, and “cum laude on the basis of the student’s overall record”.
To receive English honors in Computer Science, students must have a high grade point average and must also fulfill a more demanding course program than the basic program. There are several honors tracks within Computer Science (see the Computer Science handbook entry for more details):
The standard honors program requires two additional courses on top of the basic requirements, as well as greater depth in certain areas. See this table as well as the handbook entry for the details.
Joint Concentrations and the Mind, Brain, and Behavior Program are also part of the honors track. For a joint concentration, ultimately the primary field is responsible for the English honors recommendation.
All levels of English honors in Computer Science are decided individually by vote of the Computer Science faculty based on the student’s academic and scientific achievements. In making this determination, the faculty looks not only on the concentration GPA but also on the overall level of ambition in the course program. For high honors and highest honors a (strong) thesis is required as well.
Ordinarily, honors in Computer Science requires a concentration GPA of at least 3.5 in the courses on the student’s Computer Science study plan; high honors in Computer Science requires a concentration GPA of at least 3.75 and an excellent thesis; and highest honors in Computer Science requires a concentration GPA of at least 3.85 and an outstanding thesis.
Latin honors are awarded by the college based on students' overall GPA as well as recommendations from the concentration. The Harvard College Handbook for Students contains the official requirements for Latin honors, which are summarized here:
Summa cum laude in a field:
Magna cum laude:
Cum laude in a field:
Cum laude on the basis of the student’s overall record:
Here is historical data on the GPA threshholds established by the Faculty for awarding degrees Magna Cum Laude and Cum Laude in Field. See the Registrar’s page on Graduation and Diplomas for GPA thresholds for the latest academic year.
| Cum Laude in Field | Magna Cum Laude/Cum Laude | Summa Cum Laude in Field | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 3.448 | 3.721 | |
| 2010 | 3.472 | 3.74 | |
| 2011 | 3.48 | 3.75 | |
| 2012 | 3.484 | 3.756 | |
| 2013 | 3.48 | 3.763 | |
| 2014 | 3.511 | 3.769 | |
| 2015 | 3.525 | 3.772 | |
| 2016 | 3.538 | 3.794 | |
| 2017 | 3.571 | 3.81 | 3.934 |
| 2018 | 3.62 | 3.844 | 3.947 |
| 2019 | 3.623 | 3.846 | 3.941 |
| 2020 | 3.655 | 3.853 | 3.956 |
| 2021 | 3.736 | 3.898 | 3.97 |
| 2022 | 3.757 | 3.909 | 3.976 |
| 2023 | 3.753 | 3.920 | 3.986 |