Thesis format
The format of a the thesis for the B.S. Design honors degree is integrated into the Spring Senior Studio in the degree requirements.
The thesis should be in the format of a complete "senior studio project" including final review presentation and the final product documentation report. This is typically a pdf document including process and final outcomes, 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 in design practices and alternatives or exceptions to this format can be approved by the MDD faculty.
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 elligible 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 with in the faculty's term, other-wise they are eligible to be a co-mentor with another faculty member.
If a faculty mentor leaves the University before the thesis is complete the student can identify an alternative 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.
Collaborative theses are permitted and the students can submit a single co-authored thesis based on the work completed in the Senior Studio, ie: if the students collaborate on presentation and final report, than a single thesis submission is appropriate; if they collaborate but complete individual presentations and reports than they should submit their respective individual reports. Students who work on collaborative thesis projects should submit a reflection essay in addition to the report. This reflection essay should consider the working process and their contribution to the collaboration.
Are joint theses permitted?
A joint thesis is a single thesis that satisfies the requirements of multiple majors.
A joint thesis is permitted for completion of the honors B.S. Design degree.
How does the Honors Thesis relate to other aspects for the major?
The honors thesis relates to the Senior Studio project. In some cases work in other courses is directly supportive of this project, but not in all circumstances.