Division of Biological Sciences

BISP 196- Senior Honor's Thesis Program

The Senior Honor’s Thesis Program is open to biology majors who meet the eligibility requirements listed below. Students who complete all the requirements for the program will have “Distinction in Biological Sciences” recorded on their transcript. Completion of this program is the only way to earn distinction through the Division of Biological Sciences.

Eligibility

  • Undergraduate student majoring in one of the eight majors housed within the Division of Biological Sciences.
  • Achieve prior to start of program and maintain throughout program, a 3.7 major GPA and 3.7 overall UCSD GPA.
  • Three consecutive quarters of research during last 3 quarters at UCSD in a Division of Biological Sciences faculty lab.
    • Adjunct for the Division of Biological Sciences are acceptable.
    • Co-sponsorships or working with faculty outside of Division (School of Medicine, SIO, etc.) not allowed.

Program Requirements

  • 3 consecutive quarters of BISP 196 research.
  • Minimum of 12 hours of research per week.
  • Students must meet with their PI regularly to discuss their research and the writing of their thesis.
  • The program starts in fall, but students must submit a new application for Special Studies each quarter
  • Winter quarter meeting with Honors Thesis Faculty Advisor.
  • Completion of thesis (8-10 page scientific paper) due Friday Week 10 of spring quarter.
    • Thesis must be reviewed and signed by the PI before submitting to staff advisor in the Biology Student &Instructional Services office. Honors Faculty Advisor will then review thesis paper.
  • Participation in the Research Showcase (10th week of spring).
  • Submission of an abstract to the Saltman Quarterly (spring).

How to Register

  • Print and fill out: "Application for UCSD Special Studies" and "Research Plan"
    BOTH FORMS MUST BE FILLED OUT COMPLETELY AND SUBMITTED TOGETHER TO THE BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES STUDENT AND INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES OFFICE.
  • Make sure you and the faculty have signed and reviewed the forms completely. If you have any questions regarding this process, please call (858) 534-0557.

Deadline Dates to Turn in Application/Research Plan 

  • Fall application: August 1st
  • Winter application: 8th week of the quarter prior
  • Spring application: 8th week of the quarter prior
  • You will need to turn in an additional 1-2 page research summary discussing the progress of your research with spring application.

Other important Dates/Deadlines:

  • Research Thesis: Friday of 10th week of spring quarter
  • Saltman Quarterly Abstract: 4th week of spring quarter (submit to: sq@biomail.ucsd.edu )
  • Registration for the Research showcase: April-May (will be online)
  • Research Showcase: Wednesday of 10th week of spring quarter

If you have any additional questions about the program or would like to know about faculty eligibility, please contact Biology via the Virtual Advising Center (VAC) at vac.ucsd.edu.

Questions about your research or project? Contact one of the Honors faculty advisors:

  • Dr. Nigel Crawford           858-534-1637              ncrawford@ucsd.edu       3216 Muir Biology