December Graduation Deadlines
Contract: September 1, 2009
Thesis Project and Evaluations: October 23, 2009
May or August Graduation Deadlines
Contract: January 19, 2010
Thesis Project and Evaluations: March 12, 2010
The thesis project should be substantially more extensive than a term paper. It must be the result of independent, sustained thought, and intellectual curiosity. A survey of the literature about a particular topic is not sufficient. All of the following elements are required: 1) a clear formulation of a problem, question, or project; 2) a scholarly study which illuminates it, and 3) a conclusion supported by evidence. A bibliography and reference to existing literature in the field should be included where appropriate. An abstract consisting of no more than one page must be included at the front of the thesis. Students are encouraged to write in a manner and style that can be understood by a non-specialist in the field. The phrase "Thesis Project" acknowledges the possibility of having a scholarly honors endeavor that might not conform to the narrow definition of a "thesis". The following are examples of previous Thesis Projects: 1) the arrangement of a particular symphony and a detailed description of the process of composing arrangements with literary references, 2) the creation of a portfolio of photographic works accompanied by a lengthy historical and literary background, 3) a complete set of costume designs with detailed information about the design, research and garment building process and photographs of the realized costumes. The project must have a significant written component, but it need not be in the format of a formal thesis.
Procedure
Students who elect to work on a Thesis Project must make arrangements before their senior year by consulting with a faculty member who will supervise the project. The student must register for an independent study course in their major area of study (399/399H or 499/499H) before proceeding with the preparation of the independent work. The Thesis Project Contract must be completed, with signatures, and filed in the Dean's Office (102 Woods Art Building) by the end of the first week of classes of the semester of graduation. The Thesis Project Supervisor is expected to offer guidance to the student throughout the duration of the project. Two faculty members, the Supervisor and the Second Reader, must complete a Thesis Project Evaluation Form. It is the responsibility of the faculty members in their evaluations to address specifically the extent to which the thesis project meets the three required elements listed above. Thesis Projects and faculty evaluations must be submitted to the departmental unit head by the end of the 9th week of the semester of graduation. The unit heads signify departmental approval by forwarding the thesis project and faculty evaluations to the Associate Dean. Thesis Projects not meeting the approval of the department will not be sent forward to the Dean's Office for further consideration. The College Academic Distinction and Awards Committee conducts the final evaluation of the Thesis Project. Specific deadlines for each term are indicated on the Contract and Evaluation forms. The Academic Distinction and Awards Committee Materials will not consider materials submitted after the stated deadlines. In general, the Committee reviews every Thesis Project. However, if no member of the Committee feels qualified in the subject area of the thesis project submitted, the Committee solicits the help of another faculty member with an appropriate background. This outside reader then submits to the Committee a formal written evaluation. Even so, members of the Committee must depend heavily on the faculty evaluations. Students in the UNL Honors Program may submit an Honors Thesis, providing all of the above requirements and deadlines are met. NOTE: Students graduating in August must meet deadlines set for May graduates.
Note: Students in the UNL Honors program may submit
an Honors Thesis, providing all of the above requirements
and deadlines are met.
Note: Students who wish to be recommended for distinction
on the basis of a thesis alone must have a Cumulative Grade
Average above 3.5.
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