Time Line for the Senior Thesis
September
- The first meeting is scheduled for the first week of classes in September. Expectations and support will be outlined. Times will be determined for regular individual appointments.
- An abstract summarizing your research objectives is due in the Biology Department office by 5:00 P.M. date to be announced. Both your outside research mentor and your departmental mentor must approve this abstract prior to submission.
October-November
- Continue working on your thesis research and meet regularly with mentor(s).
December
- You will turn in the Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results and References for a laboratory thesis and or a Thesis Outline, Introduction and References for a library thesis by 5:00 P.M. on the first day of the exam cycle.
January
- Set up new appointment times for spring term.
February-March
- Continue working on research and meet with mentor(s) regularly.
April
- Write an abstract describing your Thesis work. After discussing it with your mentor(s), turn it in to the Biology Department by the end of the day on or about April 1. This abstract will go into a booklet describing the research of the senior class and you will receive a copy of the booklet at the luncheon following the presentations.
- You should submit a first draft of your thesis due on or about April 1. It should be typed, carefully spell-checked and proofread before submission.
- After receiving comments from your mentor, you should incorporate recommended changes into the thesis. The Senior Thesis is the culmination of your Biology degree. Let your pride be your guide!
- During the first two weeks of April, start to prepare a PowerPoint presentation for the Senior Thesis Presentation. Practice this talk with your mentor(s) during the week preceding the symposium, generally the third week of April.
- The Sigma Xi Research symposium is generally held on the Wednesday evening preceding the Presentation Symposium.
- Saturday morning, is the Senior Thesis presentations and luncheon. Awarding of the Chapman Medal for Outstanding Undergraduate Research occurs during the luncheon. Your friends and family are welcome to attend.
May
- On the last day of classes, the completed, corrected final copy of the Senior Thesis is due in your advisor's office, no later than 5:00 P.M. You must provide an original copy on bond paper (this is the Department’s copy) and an additional copy for each mentor on regular paper.
- Commencement!!