Ecology and Conservation Biology -  Senior Experience

This course requirement also is currently under construction!!  Provided here is information for Spring and Summer of 2004. 

The Senior Thesis or Senior Project is a hallmark of the (NR)ECB academic program.  While most of the requirements of this or any degree are accomplished in traditional classroom, lab, and field trip settings, the (NR)ECB Senior experience takes students on a journey of independent inquiry and hands-on learning. Besides being an excellent intellectual experience, we believe that your Senior Experience will give you a better grasp of scientific principles and methods, make your degree more appealing to potential employers, and prepare you for grad school if you choose that route.  This document outlines the steps towards a successful and rewarding culmination to your (NR)ECB degree.

Overview of Options:  Senior Thesis vs. Senior Project?

 Both options are academic experiences involving original work, synthesis and analysis of information, literature review, and written and oral communication of results and conclusions.  Both are accomplishments that will be an important part of your professional portfolio. 

Requirements common to both options:

Course Details

The senior experience involves 4 credits, all registered with the faculty mentor.  These include:

            3 credits of 497 (thesis) or 485 (project).  These may be taken in any combination from one per semester to all in one semester.  You must be registered in summer if work is conducted during the summer field season (no exceptions).   According to UI specifications, 3 credits entail at least 135 hours of effort.  This effort includes library work; writing, presentation and defense of the proposal; and the gathering and analysis of data.

            1 credit of 481, thesis and project presentation.  This constitutes at least 45 hours of work writing the thesis or project, and presenting the entire senior experience at a spring (only) poster session.  Awards will be given to the best efforts at an evening celebration accompanying the poster session.

 Note:  In future years, students will take 4 credits of either 497 or 485 (i.e. 481 will not exist).

 Grades 

 Performance expectations will be clearly communicated by the mentor, and the        (NR)ECB Senior Experience Committee will assist the mentor in evaluating the project at both the proposal and final poster session. 

Senior Thesis and Senior Project Guidelines

 The Senior Thesis – is the written documentation of original scientific research conducted under the guidance of a mentor.  The essentials of a thesis project are outlined below and will be the focus of detailed discussions with your mentor. 

The Senior Project – is similar to a senior thesis, but the effort does not involve typical research in which hypotheses are tested.  Instead, a project is some other scholarly work that involves a substantial effort and satisfies a need.       

Choosing a Topic and Mentor:   

Because a senior thesis or project requires substantial effort and commitment, you should try to choose a topic that interests and excites you. There are several ways to find the perfect topic for you.  First, your coursework may expose you to topics that you might like to explore further.  The professor that has piqued your interest may be a good candidate to be your mentor, and may be able to suggest an investigation that can be done in the available time.  Another good way to choose is by browsing the accompanying list of (NR)ECB faculty and the topics they have suggested.  Many of these topics are related to larger research projects already in progress, allowing you to become part of a team of faculty and graduate students.  You should also attend all   (NR)ECB poster sessions to get ideas from what current seniors have done and to gauge the task that lies ahead of you. 

Because most faculty will only be serving as mentor for one or two students, you are advised to begin developing an academic relationship with a mentor as early in your program as possible.  Talk to faculty about their research, meet their graduate students, ask to be added to the email distribution list of the research group to find out about relevant seminars and research discussions/lab meetings.  Remember the Senior Experience is fundamentally different from that all of your other coursework --- planning and execution are your responsibility!  Failure to plan could delay your graduation.

Planning Timeline

The Senior Experience will usually take a full year to complete.  Here's an example of a typical timeline:

Junior year (or earlier):  Contact mentor, begin discussing and reading about topic.

Spring Semester: 

Summer and/or Fall Semester:

Spring Semester:

Most often the senior experience will be completed during your junior and/or senior years, but if you are planning on graduating in December, you need to plan ahead! 

 Be sure to brainstorm about your senior experience with your advisor, she/he will be able to provide invaluable advice on every aspect of the process, including finding a mentor.