Students choosing to invest themselves in research may do so through the Honors Research Program. Generally,
this program is begun before the end of the junior year after completion of at least one semester of independent
research. Students who intend to participate in the Honors Research Program should notify the
BCS/NSC Undergraduate Coordinator of this intent as soon as possible and
no later than the end of the Fall semester of their
senior year; a form is prepared to list the student's independent research projects completed and/or
proposed, name the research mentor and/or faculty advisor(s), and give a tentative title for the thesis. A degree
with Honors in Research is awarded to students who successfully complete the following additional requirements:
- Maintain a 3.3 GPA in BCS courses.
- Complete two semesters of independent research with the thesis advisor. The final semester should be registered
as Honors Research (BCS 396).
- Before enrolling in Honors Research, submit a 3-page thesis proposal to an advisory
committee consisting of the thesis advisor and one other faculty member in the department. At the same time,
register a copy of this proposal in the BCS undergraduate program office (Meliora 100). The thesis proposal
should present the background and rationale for the research, explain why the work undertaken is important,
and outline the methods used to address the problem and the time frame estimated to complete the work. The
thesis proposal should be reviewed by the advisory committee no later than the end of the Fall semester of
the senior year. Students wishing to work with an advisor in an affiliated program must obtain prior approval
from the department's Committee on Undergraduate Studies.
- Submit the title of the thesis and endorsing signatures from the advisory committee to the Undergraduate
program office (Meliora 102) no later than the second week of the semester in which the Senior Seminar is
taken. (Honor students should enroll in the Honors Senior Seminar BCS
311.
- Prepare a written Senior Thesis in the form of a scientific journal article and present the thesis orally
as part of the Senior Seminar. The written thesis must be received by the advisory committee no later than
April 15 of the graduating year.
- The thesis is presented formally in a public seminar and then defended at a closed meeting of the student's
advisory committee with an additional faculty member chosen by the departmental chair.
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