Honors Thesis
An optional Thesis Track is available to all Biology and biomedical Sciences majors. Students who successfully complete the thesis track will earn honors in their major.
Requirements for graduation with a thesis (for deadlines, see the Thesis Calendar):
- Students must obtain the approval of their research advisor, who must be a member of the Natural Sciences faculty.
- Student must be a Biology or Biomedical Sciences major in good standing (meeting the GPA requirements for the major).
- Student must generate a proposal for a novel research project in conjunction with a thesis advisor* and submit it for approval by the Department of Natural Sciences Thesis Committee consisting of the thesis advisor and the second reader (“the Committee”).
- Student must conduct three consecutive semesters of Natural Sciences research (may include a summer) unless the Committee approves otherwise in writing.
- Student must enroll in Science Research 297, 397, and 497 (BIOL, CHEM, or PHYS designation depending on area of research) and pursue research-related activities for at least 9 contact hours per week.
- Student must present their research findings at a minimum of two conferences (chosen in consultation with their thesis advisor), one of which may be held on the MMC campus.
- Student must write a thesis which is approved by their thesis advisor and reviewed by at least one reader from the Committee.
- Student must successfully present and defend their thesis to the Committee; this presentation should be public and open to the MMC community.
- Student may conduct research on the MMC campus or at an off-campus location approved by the Committee.
- Off-campus research projects must additionally include: A) a progress report submitted each semester from the approved off-campus thesis advisor; and B) a Committee member as a Reader of the thesis.
- Student must take AT LEAST ONE of the Biology capstone courses (BIOL 425 or BIOL 441) required for the major at MMC.
* Thesis Advisor must be a FT faculty member of the Natural Sciences Department or else be approved in writing by the Committee.