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Successfully complete a thesis approved by a committee composed of a thesis supervisor and a second reader.
Structure for the Program for Distinction in Geography:
To graduate with distinction, students must take at least three thesis credits (GEO 499) during their senior year. Thesis work is done in conjunction with a faculty member in the Department of Geography and operates as an independent study. The senior thesis must be completed and approved by the supervising faculty member and second reader prior to graduation.
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Compliance with writing and format guidelines set by the supervisor and student. Most theses average 60 pages, but there is no designated page length. Students are encouraged to review approved undergraduate theses in James Library for examples.
Timeline for Program of Distinction in Geography:
Fall semester, junior year: | Students also completing an Honors thesis begin work on their senior thesis in geography. Deadlines for the Honors Program begin in November. |
End of spring semester, junior year: | Students interested in graduating with Distinction in Geography identify a topic of study, a research question/project, and a geography faculty member to supervise the project. |
Summer between junior & senior year: | Students begin and/or complete any necessary fieldwork for their senior theses. |
Fall semester, senior year: | Students continue work on thesis projects. Enroll in GEO 499 in Fall or Spring semester. |
October 15th, senior year: | Second reader is selected. Students continue to work with their supervisors on drafts of their theses. |
Spring semester, senior year: | Students register for GEO 499, if they have not enrolled in the Fall semester. |
February 1st, senior year: | Students submit a first draft of their theses to their supervisors. Supervisors return draft with written comments within three weeks of submission. The second reader may or may not read the first draft. |
March 15th, senior year: | Students submit draft of theses to their second readers, if required. Second readers return theses with comments within three weeks of submission. |
April 15th, senior year: | Students submit final draft of theses to supervisors and second readers. |
April 28th, senior year: | Supervisor and second reader approve final versions of the theses, which will be submitted to the Geography Department and bound. |
May 1st, senior year: | All paperwork for thesis is completed, and the Geography Office is officially contacted by supervisors to confirm completion of all requirements to graduate with Distinction in Geography. |
Required formatting for Senior Theses for Distinction in Geography:
Senior theses must meet the following format elements:
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