The Honors College

The Senior Honors Thesis/Project must be a minimum of 3 semester hours, but can be more. The Senior Honors Thesis/Project must be examined and approved by both an advisor in the student's thesis/project area and a second reader from a different department. This examination is in the form of an oral defense of the work that should be public, with announcements made in a reasonable manner (e.g., to the relevant department). Typically, a defense will consist of an oral presentation of the work by the student followed by the examination by the Director and Second Reader. In the case of performances, art shows, or any other non-written product, for example, the student's presentation is the performance/show, but with a short introduction explaining the performance/show to the audience and the examination by the Director and Second Reader following the performance/show.  These theses also require a written component to explain the product (DVD of performance, graphic art product, pictures of art work) that should be a minimum of 10 pages to adequately explain the goals and accomplishments of the project.

• Guidelines for Formatting
• Click here to view of video about How to Apply for an Honors Thesis/Project

Scheduling the Defense

The defense should be scheduled to occur no later than two weeks prior to the last day of exams. The final, submitted thesis/project must be in the Honors Office by the first day of exams. This allows time for the student to make any requested changes by their committee; however, the time is minimal and it is highly recommended that the defense be held before the deadline. For more information about the defense click here.

Course Description from Undergraduate Bulletin

HON 4010. Senior Honors Thesis/Project (1-3).F;S.

Independent study and research for an interdisciplinary thesis or project. Directed and graded by a faculty member in the student's thesis/project area with a second faculty member from a different department serving as Second Reader. May be taken concurrently for credit in a student's major department, if applicable. Prerequisite: completion of an approved Honors sequence. (By invitation or application only.) May be repeated for credit if the total proposed thesis/project is more than three credits.