Senior Thesis

Undergraduate Research:  Senior Thesis

Completion of a senior thesis is not a requirement for students in the biological sciences majors. It is an option for highly motivated students interested in graduate school and research careers. Completion of a thesis is generally a year long commitment.

Please note that completion of a senior thesis does not fulfill the Comprehensive Requirement/Disciplinary Communication (DC) graduation requirement. It is strongly suggested that students complete BIOL 186L: Undergraduate Research in MCD Biology as a starting point of the senior thesis as BIOL 186L is approved to meet the Comprehensive Requirement/DC Lab Requirement for graduation.

Step by Step Guide to Completing a Senior Thesis:

1. Find a faculty member willing to sponsor you. You will generally begin work on your thesis by enrolling in one of the BIOL 186: Undergraduate Research Courses in MCD Biology.

2. Write your research proposal with guidance from your faculty sponsor and submit the  Request to Approve Senior Thesis Topic so the MCD Biology Department and MCD Biology Undergraduate Advisors know you are planning to complete a Senior Thesis.

   • You have the option to enroll in BIOL 195 with your Faculty Sponsor if they are an MCD Biology Department Faculty Member; please note, if they are outside the MCD Biology Department, we do not have an option to enroll in BIOL 195. Your faculty sponsor may have an independent studies or Senior Thesis course in their department you could potentially enroll in. 

   • If you would like to enroll in BIOL 195, please complete the Petition for Undergraduate Individual Studies Course with your Faculty Sponsors signature to MCD Biology Advising no later than the first day of instruction for the quarter you wish to enroll in BIOL 195. 

3. Your faculty member will guide your research, data analysis and content, as well as the write up of your thesis.

4. Submit your finished thesis electronically to biology advising along with the Thesis Submission Form by the end of the seventh week of the quarter you intend to graduate. Please be sure to complete and sign the Undergraduate Thesis Signature Page and include it with your submitted thesis. 

Honors in the Senior Thesis

If your faculty sponsor feels your thesis is worthy of honors, they will select a fellow faculty member to review the thesis and determine that honors are warranted. Once the second reader has concurred you will receive honors in the senior thesis after both your faculty member and the second reader have signed the Undergraduate Thesis Signature Page included with your completed and submitted thesis.