For BARSC students, all major coursework informs the thesis, and the thesis topic should be discussed with the BARSC committee as the capstone of the degree program. Unlike other thesis options where students choose between research, creative or applied approaches, BARSC students must include both a research component (broadly defined) and either a creative or applied product that emerges from and demonstrates the implications of that research.

No, a BARSC senior thesis is not necessarily longer than a traditional senior thesis. However, since the BARSC thesis demonstrates the interdisciplinary nature of the degree, the thesis will encompass both a research based and a creative or applied component.

The short answer is, yes, a BARSC student’s thesis director does not have to be a member of the BARSC committee.

However, the thesis director is often a member of the committee, as this faculty member is someone with whom the student has worked closely for several years. However, interests change, students may be introduced to other faculty members who better suit their research area or methodology, and faculty may go on sabbatical or have other commitments — all of which can be reasons why a thesis director is not a member of the BARSC committee. The thesis director should have a demonstrated record of scholarship in one of the disciplinary perspectives highlighted in the project.

All Honors students are required to select a second reader who brings specific knowledge or expertise to the thesis project and offers support and feedback throughout the project and during the thesis defense.

For the BARSC thesis, the second reader should be a faculty member who brings a disciplinary perspective different from that of the thesis director or who has expertise related to the creative or applied product connected to the thesis. Students may have more than one reader on the thesis committee. BARSC students should identify the second reader before the midpoint of the first semester of enrollment in SCHC 499.

This question is particularly relevant to Accelerated Undergraduate to M.D. students, as SCHC 497 is a requirement of that concentration. A BARSC student’s thesis does NOT have to be based on research conducted in SCHC 497. Sometimes interests change, and students may be introduced to other faculty or labs that better suit their research interests or methodology. We also welcome you to create your own research project.

BARSC students are required to have a public thesis defense during the semester in which they are enrolled in their final thesis credits. The defense is an opportunity for BARSC students to present their research projects and engage in a reflective conversation with faculty, peers and interested stakeholders in their work. Most students will satisfy this requirement by participating in the Honors Thesis Symposium held each April. Students who plan to graduate in December should contact Dr. Tracy Skipper about opportunities for a public defense in the fall semester.