The thesis provides an opportunity for each senior to work individually with a member of the faculty, to engage in independent study and research, and to develop skills in written and oral communication. Students are encouraged to join a research group to gain experience that can form the basis for a thesis. A student may also pursue an original idea. A library project may be acceptable, leading to a critical survey of the literature and exposition of a topic of current interest.
Information is provided about the research interests of each member of the faculty.
It is the responsibility of each student to contact prospective advisors, meet them to discuss possible topics, and eventually negotiate an agreement on a plan of research. The coordinator will assist any student who may have difficulty identifying a suitable advisor and topic. After a preliminary review of the literature on the proposed topic, the student must write a proposal describing the intent and scope of the research to be pursued. The proposal, to be typewritten on no more than three double-spaced pages, is to be modelled and formatted as a proposal for a research grant. It should include a brief review of the literature, a discussion of the experimental or theoretical research to be undertaken, and a justification for carrying out the work.