Thesis format
The thesis for the Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies and Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies honors degrees is most often conducted in conjunction with the Architectural Design Studio IV (ARCH 4011) capstone design course taken in the Spring of the student’s senior year. Other arrangements can be made in consultation with the Department Honors Liaison (DHL).
The thesis should be in the format of a complete research or creative project, including final review presentation and/or final documentation report. This is typically a PDF document that includes the methodology, research, process, final outcomes, and reflection as well as the phases and documentation of the project. The report should include a writing component and citation of research, as well as credits for any collaborators and works not authored by the student (images, diagrams, etc). There is a wide range of alternatives or exceptions to this format, which can be approved by the DHL with prior notice.
Who is eligible to be a faculty thesis mentor?
Career-line and tenure-line faculty are eligible to be a faculty thesis mentor. Adjunct faculty, as well as community and industry partners are eligible to be co-mentors with at least one career-line or tenure-line faculty member. Visiting faculty should only be faculty mentors if the completion of the degree will fall within the faculty's term. Otherwise, they are eligible to be a co-mentor with another faculty member. If you have any questions about a faculty member’s designation, please contact the DHL.
If a faculty mentor leaves the University before the thesis is complete, the student can identify an alternative mentor or consult the chair for assistance in finding a new mentor.
Are collaborative theses permitted?
A collaborative thesis is one where an Honors student works with one or more collaborators on the thesis.
A collaborative thesis is one where an Honors student works with one or more collaborators on the thesis.
Collaborative theses are permitted after consultation with and approval by the DHL in advance of the substantial portion of the work though tend to be very rare in practice. A collaboration plan authored by the students, including a reflection component that describes the co-creative process will be required. Students can submit a single co-authored thesis based on the work completed, ie: if the students collaborate on presentation and final report, then a single thesis submission is appropriate; if they collaborate but complete individual presentations and reports, then they should submit their respective individual reports.
Are joint theses permitted?
A joint thesis is a single thesis that satisfies the requirements of multiple majors.
A joint thesis is a single thesis that satisfies the requirements of multiple majors.
A joint thesis is permitted for completion of the honors Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies and Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies degrees with prior approval from the respective DHLs.
How does the Honors Thesis relate to other aspects for the major?
The honors thesis most often relates to the final semester capstone studio, ARCH 4011. In some cases, the thesis may be on a separate topic or relate to a final year course such as Identity and Justice in the Built Environment (ARCH 4850) or Architectural Theory and Practice (ARCH 4270), which are writing- and theory-intensive courses. Students who wish to propose alternative pairings should speak to the DHL prior to the start of the Fall semester of their senior year.
Major-specific Thesis Proposal Process
The Honors College requires Thesis Proposal/Registration by the end of the third year. If your major has a separate additional Thesis Proposal Process, it is detailed here.
This major does not have a separate additional Honors Thesis Proposal process.
Additional information for students
Honors students will enroll in ARCH 4999 - Honors Thesis/Project - in either the fall or spring semester of the final year of their degree. The entire cohort (whether enrolled in fall or spring semesters) will meet every two weeks throughout the fall and spring semesters to define research processes, provide feedback, and work toward delivering a completed thesis by the spring deadline.