tufts biology senior thesis

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Tufts theses & dissertations.

This page is a quick overview of resources for finding or writing a thesis or dissertation at Tufts. For more in-depth information, visit our Dissertations and Theses guide .

Find theses & dissertations

Search for specific senior honors theses, master's theses, and PhD dissertations in Jumbosearch .

You’ll find records for both print and digital, and links to the digital version where available.

You can also browse Tufts theses & dissertations in:

• ProQuest Dissertations & Theses @ Tufts . Find masters theses & PhD dissertations, available to members of the Tufts community .
• The Tufts Digital Library . Find senior honors theses, masters theses & PhD dissertations, openly available to all readers . Note that this is not a complete collection of Tufts theses.

Availability of full text online

• PhD dissertations: full text in Dissertations & Theses @ Tufts for most after 1996
• Master's theses: full text in Dissertations & Theses @ Tufts for most after 2005
• Senior honors theses: full text in the Tufts Digital Library for those after 2009

Get help while writing a thesis or dissertation

Get in touch with us  to ask a question or schedule a consultation with a librarian. We can help locate sources, create multimedia components, manage your data, cite sources, answer questions about copyright and about depositing to ProQuest, and more.

See the Resources for writing and submitting a thesis or dissertation page of our Dissertations & Theses guide for considerations in depositing to ProQuest.

The StAAR Center  offers writing support for thesis & dissertation writers.

Visit Scholarly Communication@Tufts’ FAQ for Dissertation and Thesis Writers for more information about your rights as an author.

Senior Honor Thesis Advice

Thank you for agreeing to supervise a senior honors thesis. It’s possible that your student has never before had this much independence or this much to write. Your support is essential to the student’s success.

Resources for Faculty Senior Thesis Advisors

Advising the Senior Honors Thesis: Guidelines for Tufts Faculty Detailed guidelines clarify roles and responsibilities, requirements, how to address typical problems such as lack of progress, and helping your student prepare for the defense.

Dean of Undergraduate Studies  can answer questions about honors thesis policies and deadlines.

Your student’s dean can advise you about how to respond appropriately to a senior who is not making progress on the thesis, wants to take an incomplete for the honors thesis, or may not graduate. The  StAAR Center  provides extensive support to supplement your role as a Senior Thesis advisor. They offer senior thesis workshops, support groups, one-on-one writing consultations, and help with public speaking. Scholar Development offers  funding for undergraduate research , including travel to present the research at conferences. Tufts’ Undergraduate Research Symposium offers your students the chance to present their research to peers on campus.

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Dissertations and Theses

Find graduate theses & dissertations, find senior honors theses.

• Resources for writing & submitting a thesis or dissertation
• Dissertations and theses as a research tool

We can help locate sources, create multimedia components, manage your data, cite sources, answer questions about copyright, and more.

Browse the pages of this guide for information on finding:

• graduate theses & dissertations and Senior Honors Theses at Tufts
• resources for writing and submitting a thesis or dissertation
• resources for locating dissertations written by authors at other institutions to use in your research

Get in touch with any questions about this guide or your research.

Search for Tufts master's theses and Ph.D. dissertations in JumboSearch . You’ll find records for both print and digital, and links to the digital version where available.

You can also browse for Tufts theses & dissertations in  Dissertations & Theses @ Tufts , with full text available for:

• Most PhD dissertations after 1996
• Most master's theses after 2005

Tufts undergraduate theses that have been submitted in print form are housed in Tufts Archival Research Center (TARC). More information and a list of theses submitted through 2015 is available from TARC. 

Theses that have been submitted electronically are available in the Tufts Digital Library . Students began submitting theses electronically in 2010.

To find senior honors theses for a specific department :

• Visit the Senior Honors Theses collection in the Tufts Digital Library
• In the "Limit your search" menu on the left side of the page, open up the "Department" filter
• If the department you're looking for doesn't appear in the short list, choose "more" at the bottom to see a full list of departments

Please note that because undergraduates are not required to submit a copy to TARC, your results won't be a complete set of all honors theses written for a particular department.

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• Last Updated: Aug 6, 2024 4:21 PM
• URL: https://researchguides.library.tufts.edu/theses

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Senior Honors Theses

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Scope and Contents

The collection is made up of theses written by undergraduate students from various departments as part of the requirements for honors in their department. All students are asked to deposit copies of their theses in the archives, but not all do so, therefore the collection is incomplete. The earliest thesis dates from 1929, but most date from the 1960s onward. Some theses may be under an embargo and not available online until the end of the embargo period.

• Creation: Majority of material found within 1960 -- 2014
• Creation: 1929 -- 2015
• Tufts College (Organization)
• Tufts University (Organization)
• Dean of Academic Affairs (Organization)

Language of Materials

This collection contains some restricted material. Restrictions related to specific material are listed in the detailed contents list.

Conditions Governing Use

Some material in this collection may be protected by copyright and other rights. Please see “Reproductions and Use” on the Tufts Archival Research Center website for more information about reproductions and permission to publish.

Biographical / Historical

The distinction of honors in the undergraduate curriculum existed as early at 1877, both for "in course" achievement and "Special Honors" work. Departments had varying requirements and criteria for awarding honors. In 1957 a Committee on Honors was established to systematize rules for awarding Honors in both in course and Special Honors programs. By the 1960s it was common for many departments, at least in the humanities, to require a thesis for honors consideration, and the undergraduate honors thesis program was administered by the office of the Dean of the College.

In 2009, the Digital Collections and Archives (DCA) started transitioning to collecting honors theses in digital form. In 2014, DCA started accepting honors theses by deposit through the Samvera administrative interface, MIRA. For Arts, Sciences, and Engineering students, supervising advisers are asked to confirm that thesis submissions were awarded honors.

In 2023, DCA was renamed the Tufts Archival Research Center (TARC). They continue to steward honors theses in the Tufts Digital Library.

2.45 Linear Feet (6 boxes)

889 Volumes

715 Digital Object(s)

Additional Description

Arrangement.

This collection is organized into series by department or program.

Processing Information

Beginning in 2014, Tisch Library staff provided subject headings for all theses deposited through the Samvera administrative interface, MIRA. As of February 2016, theses and qualifying papers are cataloged by Tisch Library and are searchable in the Tufts University Library Catalog. Tufts Archival Research Center remains the permanent steward, but this finding aid is no longer updated with new accessions.

Processing status

This collection is processed.

Related Names

• Curriculum and Instruction -- Student Work

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Repository details.

Part of the Tufts Archival Research Center Repository

Collection organization

Tufts Archival Research Center Tisch Library Building 35 Professors Row Medford, MA 02155

[email protected] Phone: 617.627.3737

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bioseniorhonorsthesis - Biology Senior Honors Thesis

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Senior Thesis

Application of Admission Progress Report Candidate Declaration Form

The Undergraduate Senior Thesis is a two-semester program culminating in a written research thesis, public thesis defense seminar, and private oral examination. The senior honors thesis is a capstone experience for exceptional undergraduates, allowing them to showcase the depth of their Chemistry knowledge and focus on independent research. Students wishing to pursue an undergraduate senior thesis must:

• Be a senior in good academic standing,
• Be majoring in Chemistry, ACS Certified Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Chemical Physics,
• Have been on the Dean’s list at least twice prior to senior year,
• Have at least one prior summer or semester of research prior to senior year.

Students should coordinate with their research director*, register for CHEM 0195 for the first semester of senior year, and complete the Application for Admission to the Chemistry Thesis Program in the spring of their junior year. The research director* must sign the application indicating their approval. This form is due to the Chemistry Department Main Office no later than September 30th of their senior year.

* If the research director is not a chemistry faculty member then a Chemistry faculty member must also serve as co-advisor and also sign the form.

Prior to Senior Year

• [Mandatory] Perform at least one summer or semester of research; one year of prior research is common.
• [Mandatory] Apply to the Chemistry Thesis Program: The application form must submitted to the Chemistry Department Main Office (Pearson 110) no later than  September 30th of the student’s senior year. The Research Director must sign the application form indicating their approval; if the Research Director is not a chemistry faculty member, a chemistry faculty member must serve as co-advisor and also sign the form. The thesis committee must have at least two faculty members from the Chemistry Department. The Department will evaluate the application and notify the student if they are admitted into the thesis program.
• [Mandatory] Register for CHEM 0195 for the first semester of the senior year.

Senior Year, Fall Semester

          All semester:

• [Mandatory] Continue with research. Commit to performing at least 20 hours of research per week during the senior year.
• [Strongly recommended] Attend departmental seminars.

          October:

• Have a planning meeting with the committee by the end of October (recommended but optional).
• [Mandatory] Submit the university form to be enrolled in the Honors Thesis Program

Senior Honors Thesis   Policies and Procedures

In general, the “Thesis Honors Candidate” form must be received in Dowling by mid-October , but please check their website. 

          December:

• [Mandatory] Register for Chem 0199.
• Begin writing thesis, especially introductory sections during the break.

Senior Year Spring Semester

• [Strongly recommended] Attend departmental seminars.         

          January–February:

• [Mandatory] A progress report meeting must be held in January–February . The student should make a 20-minute   presentation of research progress followed by a Q&A and planning discussion. A progress report form must be filled out after the meeting, indicating that the meeting has taken place and that progress toward the thesis is satisfactory, and must be filed with the Main Chemistry Office no later than February 15 of the student’s senior year.

          March:

• [Mandatory] Schedule the thesis defense with the committee. Reserve a room with the Chemistry office and give them a title. The defense is public, announced by the office one week in advance, and the defense must be completed before final exams begin in May . The defense may take place shortly before or during the Reading Period.
• [Strongly recommended] Submit a draft of your thesis to your research director for editing and general approval.

          April–May:

• [Mandatory] Submit a written thesis to the committee at least two weeks before the defense date.
• [Mandatory] Give the defense seminar on the scheduled date. The seminar should be 45 minutes, should include introductory information so that the audience can understand the context of the research, and should be presented at a level understandable by a chemically literate general audience. After the public defense, the committee will question the student privately. The research director must submit the “Recommendation for Senior Thesis Honors” form by the deadline ( usually early May ). 

Senior Honors Thesis

• [Mandatory] Incorporate edits and suggestions from the thesis committee in the written thesis. Deposit the thesis with the Tisch Library. Please check these websites regarding formatting restrictions, how to deposit your thesis, and the deadline ( usually mid-May ):

Senior Honors Thesis   Tufts Archival Research Center   Submit Your Work

Senior Thesis

Completing a year-long senior thesis is a challenging and rewarding opportunity for students who are highly motivated to research a particular topic. To be eligible to complete a senior thesis for Department of Sociology credit, one must meet the following criteria:

• Be a rising senior with the intent of being a registered student for two consecutive semesters (and then presumably graduating).
• Be in good academic standing .
• Have a GPA in the Sociology major of 3.50 or above.
• Have been on the Dean's List at least twice before the senior year. There is a waiver process for transfer students and others who have not met this criterion.
• Relevant training generally comes from coursework, work experience, and/or prior research. For example, students planning to use  survey research might establish that they have introductory training by having completed SOC 101 (or an equivalent course). Others might do so by having completed SOC 100 and working as a research assistant on a survey-based project. Still others might have obtained survey design skills during summer employment. 
• Students should have taken (or plan to take) available courses relevant to their topic.
• Submit an application and prospectus (see below)

Steps for Juniors Interested in Writing a Senior Thesis

Step 1: Identify Potential Committee Members  Senior theses are conducted with the supervision and support of a committee. Each committee includes a chairperson and a second reader. Committees are established by the department via a matching process. Toward this end, students will be asked to suggest 3-4 potential committee members on their application form, and to indicate why the think each would be an appropriate fit.  The chair acts as the student’s principal thesis advisor. They meet regularly with the student, guide them through the research process, provide feedback, and evaluate submitted work. All tenured or tenure-stream members of the Department of Sociology are eligible to serve as chair. Each committee also has a second reader who offers guidance on research questions and design early in the process, is available as a resource during the year, and provides feedback on at least one a draft of the thesis prior to the final submission. Tenured and tenure-stream faculty at Tufts (inside or outside the Department of Sociology) are eligible to serve as second readers, as are lecturers.   In February and March of the Junior year, students considering writing a thesis should meet with faculty members to discuss their ideas. Students should use these meetings to 1) home in on a topic, research question, and methodological approach and 2) identify faculty who may be appropriate committee members, as indicated by their areas of substantive expertise, methodological skillset, interest, and availability (faculty on leave during the student’s senior year may be unavailable).  Please note that because faculty can take on a limited number of theses each year, the availability of appropriate committee members is considered when thesis applications are reviewed (in addition to factors such as student eligibility and the feasibility of the proposed project).

Step 2: Submit an Application and Prospectus

Your written prospectus (roughly 3-4 double-spaced pages) should:

• Identify the big-picture topic and research question(s) that the thesis aims to address;
• Explain why the research is sociologically significant, by drawing on established concerns within the discipline and gaps in the existing knowledge. Why is it important to answer this question? 
• Review 3-5 scholarly works pertinent to the research question(s) and explain how your work extends or speaks to them;
• Outline your preliminary research design and methodology (e.g. surveys, interviews, media analysis, participant observation, experimental design);
• Explain the coursework, prior research, and/or work experience that has given you the appropriate introductory training you will need to use the method(s) you have selected;
• If you will be working with human subjects, include your anticipated timeline for completing the required Institutional Review Board training and apply for approval.

Please email the prospectus with a copy of your unofficial transcript and this application to Amy Pendleton by April 1 for fullest consideration. 

Step 3: Register for Thesis Credit  If your thesis is approved, you will need to register for Senior Honors Thesis A for the first semester of your senior year and Senior Honors Thesis B for the second.

Students who successfully complete and defend a thesis ultimately earn 4 SHUs for each of these courses. Senior Honors Thesis A and Senior Honors Thesis B may both be used as electives to fulfill the requirements of the major. 

Additional Information  Those who apply by the April 1 deadline will receive a decision letter by the end of April. Students whose theses are approved will be notified about the composition of their committee at that time.  Thesis students should reach out to their chair promptly to devise a timeline. As rule of thumb, students present at least one chapter (or a literature review and extended introduction) to the thesis committee by the end of first semester so the committee can review their progress.  The due date for the completed thesis is set by the chair in consultation with the university guidelines and the student (typically this is in early April). The student will then present the thesis to their committee in a “defense” which must take place prior to the first day of final examinations. The student will subsequently complete required revisions and follow university guidelines for submitting a copy of the thesis. Occasionally, theses are discontinued after one semester due to insufficient progress or a change in student plans.  In such instances, students are given an Incomplete (I) for Senior Honors Thesis A while they transform their work into a more limited independent study paper, in consultation with their chair. The paper should be submitted in keeping with the Incomplete deadline, at which point the chair will review the work and convert the Incomplete into the appropriate grade.