Thesis format
An Honors thesis for the School of Biological Sciences should be written in the format of a standard biology research article, describing research conducted by the student while enrolled as an undergraduate. The thesis should include the following components: Title, Abstract, Introduction, Results, Methods, Discussion, and References, and must conform to the Honors College guidelines. A template and example theses will be provided.
The research reported in the thesis should be conducted over a period of at least three semesters. While conducting their research, students are encouraged, but not required, to enroll in BIOL 4995 (Biology Honors Research) for one to three semesters. Students may also fulfill the research semester requirements outside of BIOL 4995 by participating as a research fellow in programs such as UROP, SPUR, or another DHL-approved research avenue. All research semesters and their modalities must be documented and approved by the DHL.
The semi-independent research typically contributes to the work of the research group in one or more of the following ways:
- Producing findings that fill a gap in knowledge in the field of biology.
- Generating findings that lead to a new line of inquiry or hypothesis.
- Developing tools or research methods that advance the ability to answer questions in the field of biology.
Who is eligible to be a faculty thesis mentor?
Tenure-line faculty at the University of Utah who are working on biology-related research projects, regardless of department, can mentor honors biology research students. In special cases, a career-line research faculty may mentor a student with departmental permission. All research mentors must be approved by the DHL.
Are collaborative theses permitted?
A collaborative thesis is one where an Honors student works with one or more collaborators on the thesis.
No. Each honors biology student needs to submit an independent thesis even if they worked on a project with another student. For projects involving muliple contributors, the main findings of the submitting student should be presented and the contributions of all researchers involved in the study should be identified.
Are joint theses permitted?
A joint thesis is a single thesis that satisfies the requirements of multiple majors.
Yes, joint theses are allowed provided the DHLs of both departments agree to the arrangement.
How does the Honors Thesis relate to other aspects for the major?
The core science and biology curriculum of the major, which should be completed within the first two years of study, provides foundational knowledge in all the principal fields relevant to biology along with experience in laboratory work. The coursework should prepare honors students to begin research towards their thesis in their sophomore year.
Completion of honors research by registering under the course BIOL 4995 (honors research) and submitting the thesis under the course BIOL 4999 (honors thesis) counts towards the laboratory course requirements of the biology major.
Upon successful completion of their thesis, students may count a maximum of 3 semesters of research taken as BIOL 4995 towards their requirement of lab courses, for a total of 9 credits and 6 lab units. If a thesis is not submitted and approved (grade B or better), BIOL 4995 can only be counted once, for a maximum of 3 credits and 2 lab units. BIOL 4999 credits with a grade of C- or better can also be applied towards a biology degree. (A grade of B or better is required for Honors to be conferred).
Additional information for students
- Start planning early to satisfy the Honors requirements, working backward from your expected graduation date.
- Contact your DHL as early as possible for guidance in this process and to get onboarded as an Honors research student.
- In collaboration with their research mentor, students determine the number of credit hours they wish to earn through Honors research. Students may enroll in 1–4 credits of BIOL 4995 per semester, where 1 credit hour equates to at least 3 hours of work in the lab per week. More than 12 hours of research work per week is not expected.
- For students receiving payment for their research work, credit hours must be deducted from paid work hours. This rule does not apply to fellowships or awards.
- Students must contact the DHL at the beginning of every semester in which they plan to enroll in BIOL 4995 or 4999. The DHL provides the permission codes required to enroll in these courses.