Departmental Thesis Requirements

The Honors Thesis should be a substantial body of work written in technical/scientific writing style. It is typically 20-40 pages in length. It should identify an unsolved problem, describe the selected approach towards working to solve that problem, present the results obtained in the project, and summarize with concise supported conclusions. It must contain a literature review, experimental or theoretical methods section, and a list of references using a selected standard citation format.

Work done on the project to support the Honors Thesis should span a considerable period of time. The project should start no later than the beginning of the student’s senior year. It is highly advised that the project include work done during one or more summers. Students should, thus, start working with their Faculty Thesis Advisor (FTA) well before the start of their senior year. Honors Students are required to submit a completed Honors Thesis Proposal Form to the Honors College by September 15 of their senior year. The proposal form must be signed by the DHL and the FTA.

How does the Honors Thesis relate to other aspects of the major, like a Capstone Project?

For both MSE and MET E programs, the honors student can write their Honors Thesis based upon work done in a summer internship or other research project performed at the university or with an outside company/organization with approval from the DHL. Such projects can be supported via a wide range of mechanisms including ACCESS, UROP, research assistantship, volunteer research work, etc. But it should be made clear that the thesis does not have to be based upon a paid appointment/assignment.

Departmental Coursework Supporting Thesis

MSE/MET E honors students should take MSE 4999/METE 4999 in either the Fall or Spring semester of their Senior year. This course has no requirements other than to make progress towards completion of your honors thesis by the end of the senior year.

Additional Information for Students

- Honors students are required to present their thesis work in their senior year at the annual Undergraduate Research Symposium at the University of Utah which is in early April. The Honors College will contact the student about deadlines and requirements.
- Honors Thesis students should publish their thesis abstract in the University of Utah Undergraduate Research Abstracts Journal. This is due mid – March of the senior year. The Honors College will contact the students concerning formatting and deadlines. Students are strongly encouraged but not required to publish in other peer reviewed journals based on their research work.
- Honors Thesis is due to The Honors College on the last day of classes, which is our deadline for all senior projects.
1. The Honors Thesis must be signed by the FTA, DHL, and the Department Chair (Dr. Michael Free) before it is submitted to The Honors College for the Dean of the Honors College signature.
2. The Department of Materials Science and Engineering will accept the Honors College formatting of the thesis for submission to complete our requirements.

Honors students need to meet with the Honors College Advisor (Sierra Teal Whipple-Padgen, s.whipple-padgen@utah.edu, 801-581-8954) for honors mandatory advising. All MSE and MET E students should also meet with the MSE Department academic advisor (Natalie Eastwood, natalie.eastwood@utah.edu, 801-581-6864) for major mandatory academic advising. You will need to inform her that you are electing to continue in the Honors College, and she will discuss with you the additional major courses required for your degree completion. You are welcomed to contact Dr. Simpson (DHL) with questions or for advice (Michael.simpson@utah.edu, 801-581-4013).