Expectations
Objectives
The intent of the Senior Thesis requirement is to give students an opportunity to explore in depth a topic of interest. Its objective is to consolidate the understanding of how experimental evidence is obtained and used in ways that further our understanding of the natural world. This effort is most obviously a success when students achieve an insight that goes beyond a mere cataloging of facts to gain an understanding of how scientific evidence is used to explain biological processes.
Expectations
- Regular meetings. For the entire year, you will meet regularly with your mentor. The faculty are particularly interested in the intensity and consistency of your commitment to the project. If you should miss a meeting, it is your responsibility to make an appointment with your mentor promptly.
- Time commitment during both terms of the senior year. You are expected to work with equal intensity during both semesters. Plan on spending at least 10 hours on the thesis per week. Be warned that the time goes by very fast, particularly during the spring semester; so, you shouldn’t leave everything to the last minute!
- Writing, reviewing and proof-reading. The idea of writing a thesis that is in excess of 40 or 50 pages can be daunting to many students. However, it can be accomplished by writing drafts of chapters during both semesters. Re-writing, editing and proof-reading are used to produce the final thesis.
- Draft copy. In general, faculty will read and comment on one complete draft of the thesis before it is presented for a grade. The draft you submit should be well-written (checked for spelling, grammar, and clarity). Students should follow directions for preparation of the thesis. Ideally, the final draft should be completed by the beginning of April.
- Presentation at the Senior Thesis Symposium. All students will present their thesis work at a research symposium, generally the third Saturday in April (final dates to be announced). You will give an oral presentation of your thesis research to a panel of faculty, other students, family and friends.
- Submission of the final copy of the thesis. The completed and corrected final copy of the Senior Thesis is submitted to your advisor, no later than 5:00 P.M on the last day of classes. An original copy on bond paper will be submitted in a manila folder; do not staple or bind it in any way. This is the copy that the Department will have bound and will keep on permanent file. Each mentor should receive a copy of the thesis, submitted on regular paper. If you desire a copy, the department will bind one or more copies for your for a nominal charge.
Standards for Evaluation
- Fall and spring semester grades. The grade for fall semester is based on turning in a good draft of the document by the deadline. The grade for the spring semester is based on the final Thesis document submitted by the last day of classes. Additionally, your level of commitment to the project will influence the grade for both semesters (how many hours per week you worked, over what interval you worked, and assessment of your level of dedication). The outside research mentor will be asked to provide the departmental mentor with this assessment.
- Standards. A well-done thesis will earn a B+. The grades of A- and A are reserved for exceptional efforts and very high quality written material. A thesis will receive a grade below a B+ if the writing or the commitment to the project is average or below average.
- Awards and Honors. Students who exhibited the most intense commitment in laboratory theses will be nominated for membership in the science honor society, Sigma Xi. Students with exceptional thesis work may also present in the Sigma Xi Research Symposium to be eligible for the Sigma Xi Undergraduate Research Medal and for the Biology Department’s Chapman Medal.
