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Another form of undergraduate research is the senior thesis. Unlike research teams, the senior thesis is a solitary process where a student works one-on-one with a faculty member on a research project. The purpose of this presentation is to share the process of engaging in a senior thesis from the personal experience of one undergraduate student. Most universities have guidelines students and faculty need to follow in order to complete a senior thesis, especially if the requirement is via an Honor’s College. Requirements are set in place in order to guide the student in the process of the thesis and promote high-quality work. The senior thesis is meant to broaden, elaborate and extend the knowledge and skills of the student. In terms of topic choice, students should select an area that they are passionate about and wish to expand upon and deepen their knowledge. Because the senior thesis is meant to challenge students, it is advised to select a topic that pushes students to extend knowledge in their field of interest. For example, pre-professional students (e.g.., pre-med) who are majoring in exercise science could find a way to tie together concepts of exercise psychology to the medical field. Another important consideration in determining a topic is ensuring there is a faculty member who is educated in the specific area of study. Choosing a faculty member is an important part of the thesis procedure. One must choose someone who will keep them accountable, but give them enough freedom to expand upon ideas they are truly passionate about. If students need guidance from someone who will set extremely strict guidelines in order to keep them on task for success, then that student should not choose a faculty member who will expect progress to be completed at random. It may seem obvious, but the selection of a faculty member can make or break the thesis experience. A thesis can be a rewarding and beneficial process for any senior. However, it is important that each student determines his or her own strengths and weaknesses before selecting a topic and faculty member. Each of these aspects is critical to the success of the thesis.
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