Frequently Asked Questions
Thesis
Q: Does the Biology Concentration require a thesis?
- Basic Biology: No.
- Honors Biology: Required to be recommended for Highest Honors. Otherwise , No.
- Honors Neurobiology: Yes.
Q: How many students submit a thesis?
A: About one-third of the graduating class submits a thesis each year.
Q: How long should the thesis be?
A: Theses have ranged from 25 to more than 100 pages. The average number is 30 to 50 pages, including tables and charts.
Q: How many readers will I have and who selects the readers?
A: Faculty from the Biology Undergraduate Committee make reader assignments. Your director will be one of three readers. Occasionally your thesis will receive a fourth reading.
Q: I prefer not to do laboratory research. May I do a library research thesis?
A: Yes, but these require a novel hypothesis that is tested through evaluation of published data. Library theses are more difficult and in practice rarely undertaken.
Q: How are theses evaluated?
A: Each reader provides a written narrative (without letter grades) addressing criteria such as originality, writing style, contribution to the field, success of experiments, and how independently the student worked. The Biology Undergraduate Committee meets as a group to discuss readers' comments and to assign the thesis grades.
Q: Are there theses on file that I could look at?
A: The Biology Undergraduate Office retains copies of EXCEPTIONAL theses. Students are encouraged to read the theses relevant to their own current research. A list of available theses can be accessed by following a link on the Biology Undergraduate website.
Q: Will a thesis help my chances of getting into graduate school or medical school?
A: Absolutely. It helps to establish a dialogue with your prospective new school.
Q: How do I register my proposed thesis with the Undergraduate Office?
A: In addition to any appropriate forms for Research and Reading Courses (Bio 91r and 99r), you should fill out a Thesis Proposal form at the end of 6th semester, and then a Senior Thesis Abstract at the beginning of your 7th semester. (Dates for submission of such forms are posted on the Biology website's Forms Section -- click here.) If you haven’t filled out a Thesis Proposal, and decide over the summer you wish to write a thesis, you can still fill out a Senior Abstract to register your intent to write a thesis. Likewise, if you decide you are not going to write a thesis and have already filled out a thesis form, you should contact the Undergraduate Office to rescind your intent to write a thesis.
More information can be accessed on the Thesis Guidelines section of this website.
updated 11/21/07