Senior Thesis
Through the Senior Thesis option (CIS 493
or CSC 493), students can earn three credits for one or two semesters of independent,
but supervised, project work completed in an academic setting. The option is intended
to enrich the student's knowledge of computer applications, theory, software or hardware,
and to develop skills in analyzing problems involving current computing technologies.
Projects pursued may involve substantial software or hardware development, structuring
available commercial software/hardware for specific applications, or theoretical analysis
of computational schemes. Students interested in pursuing a graduate program
are strongly urged to consider the thesis option to test out their
potential for independent research and advanced study.
Alternatively, students enrolled in the
Honors College may register for
HON 490 and complete a thesis.
Students interested in pursuing some independent exploration, but not interested in a
thesis option may consider an independent study (CIS 499 or CSC 499).
Eligibility requirements. To be eligible for the thesis option, the student
must:
- Have at least junior standing in the College (54 credits).
- Be a computer science or computer information systems major with at least 18 credits of course work
in the major with at least a 3.00 major GPA.
- Be fluent in at least one high-level programming language (e.g., Java, C/C++, or Visual Basic).
Individual thesis supervisors may have additional requirements, such as
knowledge of specific subjects, programming languages or software.
Besides meeting the formal prerequisites, thesis candidates should be
self-motivated and interested in real-world learning, and should have good
communication and problem-solving skills.
Restrictions: Certain forms of work experience are expressly excluded from
consideration for theses:
- Thesis credits cannot be given for work carried out in an employment situation.
- Thesis credits cannot be given for projects already completed or
in progress.
- Thesis credits cannot be counted towards the major elective requirement.
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Application procedure
- Each interested student should begin by carefully reading the description of
the thesis option and verifying his/her eligibility. It is recommended that
students begin exploring this option at least two semesters ahead of their
intended graduation.
- If the student meets the eligibility requirements for the thesis option,
he/she should contact faculty members, discuss possible thesis topics, and then
identify a full-time member of the department faculty who agrees to
serve as his/her Thesis Supervisor. In case of joint supervision by two or more
faculty members, a primary supervisor will be identified.
- Finally, the student must complete and submit a Thesis Application Form
to the Thesis Coordinator, who will provide necessary support for
registration, thesis submission, grade reporting, etc.
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Thesis activities
Each thesis candidate will:
- Work a total of at least 125 hours, spread over one or two semesters, for the project.
- Spend the work time solely on a project-related reading, development, and writing.
- Meet weekly with the Thesis Supervisor, discuss the progress, and seek necessary help.
- Prepare a thesis that presents the major accomplishments with appropriate documentation.
Again, the student must seek the help and the guidance of the Thesis Supervisor in preparing
the thesis.
- Participate in a final evaluation of the thesis.
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Evaluation and grading
- A thesis is considered completed when the student has completed the planned
work of 125 hours or more, and the thesis has been prepared and submitted to the
Thesis Coordinator, along with the Self-Evaluation form.
- The thesis must be word-processed and formatted in a professional manner,
following appropriate writing style in the discipline. Further requirements
regarding the format and contents of a thesis will be specified by the department
from time to time.
- The Thesis Coordinator will constitute an ad-hoc committee consisting of
himself/herself, the Thesis Supervisor(s) and at least one more faculty member
for the purpose of evaluating the thesis. The Thesis Coordinator will be the
chair of the committee. All committee members will be given an opportunity to
read and evaluate the thesis.
- The student will make an oral presentation and an appropriate demonstration of
the software/hardware developed before the ad-hoc committee.
- A letter grade (A - E) will be assigned by the Committee after the evaluation.
For thesis work that extends beyond one semester, a "PR" grade will be assigned
at the end of the first semester. Extension beyond the second semester will not
normally be granted.
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Necessary forms
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