For Honors Students who are Juniors or Seniors
For Students who will be graduating after the Fall of 2007, thesis forms will be available at the August 28, 2007 thesis meeting in Giffels Auditorium at 4:30 PM.
The information below has been designed to provide our seniors with a checklist for fulfilling the thesis requirement of the Fulbright College Honors Program.
Prior to Defense
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Schedule the Defense—Students must schedule their defense date by finding a day and time that accommodates all four members of the thesis committee. The defense must be completed by the defense deadline date each semester.
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Provide Thesis Members with Defense Copy —A copy of the Honors Thesis should be submitted to the student's thesis advisor at least two weeks prior to the thesis defense date. Also, copies should be provided to each additional member of the thesis committee (including the Honors Council Representative) at least one week prior to the thesis defense date.
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Obtain an Honors Candidate Thesis Report (Salmon Sheet)—The student obtains a salmon sheet from the Fulbright Honors Office, completes the top portion and brings the Sheet to the defense. The student's defense scores are recorded on this sheet and submitted to the Fulbright Honors Program Office by the Honors Council Representative.
During the Defense
- Introduce Thesis—The student and Thesis Director will prearrange the introduction procedure. Either the student should prepare an introduction of his/her Honors Thesis or the Thesis Director will begin the defense inquiry.
- Engage in Discussion—The student should expect to discuss topics similar to those listed below:
1. Discuss how you became interested in this topic.
2. Explain your research methodology.
3. Consider how your conclusions might vary according to your sources or methodology.
- Conclude the Defense — At the conclusion of the defense, the Honors Council representative will dismiss the student from the room, telling him / her to remain nearby while the committee undertakes its deliberations. Following the committee discussion, the Honors Council representative will call the candidate back into the room, informing him / her of two things: 1) Whether or not he / she has passed the defense. At no time during the process should the candidate be allowed to view the salmon sheet.
Following the Defense
Finish and Submit the Thesis—Upon the successful completion of the thesis defense, the student is given one week to incorporate final changes and prepare the manuscript for submission to the Fulbright Honors Office (Old Main 517).
When all of the defenses are completed and final exams done, the Honors Council will meet and determine the level of Honors graduation for each student. The fundamental guidelines for making this determination are listed below:
Summa
Minimum GPA……………………………..3.9
Minimum Honors Hours……………………24
Minimum Defense Score…………………...3.5
Magna
Minimum GPA…………………………….3.8
Minimum Honors Hours……………………18
Minimum Defense Score…………………..3.0
Cum
Minimum GPA……………………………3.25
Minimum Honors Hours……………………12
Minimum Defense Score………………… 1.0
Criteria for higher levels of distinction is based on the Honors Council's determination of the student's ovarall academic achievement. The Honors Council will also consider various other criteria—such as national awards, publications, and service distinctions—in their final assessment of the candidate’s record. |
