Thesis format

An honors thesis for the school of biological sciences should be written in the format of a standard biology research article reporting research done by the student while enrolled as an undergraduate. The thesis should have 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 to enroll in BIOL 4995 (Biology Honors Research) for one to three semesters but are not required to. Students can choose to complete research semester requirements outside of 4995 as a research fellow in programs like UROP, SPUR or another DHL- approved research avenue. All research semesters and their modality have to be documented and approved by the DHL. The semi-independent research usually contributes to the work
of the research group in terms of one or more of the following criteria:

1. Findings that fill a gap in knowledge in the field of biology.
2. Findings that lead to a new train of thought or new hypothesis.
3. Development of tools or research methods that will be useful in answering 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.

Each honors biology student needs to submit an independent thesis even if they worked on a project with another student. For projects involving multiple 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.

Joint theses are allowed provided the DHLs of both departments agree to the arrangement.

How does the Honors Thesis relate to other aspects of the major (e.g., a Capstone Project)? What departmental coursework supports the thesis?

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 backwards from your expected graduation date.
• Contact your DHL as early as possible for advice with this process and to get onboarded as an honors research student.
• Students decide, in collaboration with their research mentor, the number of credit hours they wish to earn via honors research. Students can enroll in 1-4 credits of BIOL 4995 per semester, where 1 CR translates to at least 3 hours of work in the lab per week. More than 12 hours/week of research work is not expected.
• For students ge_ng paid for their research work, credit hours must be deducted from pay 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 to enroll in these courses.