Applied Science & Math

About this opportunity

Located on the Polytechnic campus, our unit is the School of Arts and Sciences within the College of Integrative Sciences and Arts. We host a broad range of major programs in Applied Biological Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Applied Physics, Applied Quantitative Science, Applied Science,  and Pre-Veterinary Medicine. Our faculty are engaged in a diverse array of research topics such as astrophysics, quantitative ecology, environmental microbiology, fisheries, modeling of insect interactions, reptile distributions, among others. Information on faculty members can be viewed here. Any Barrett student majoring in these tracks should contact the FHA (crpenton@asu.edu) to be directed to respective prospective faculty.

Thesis

There is considerable flexibility of the form for a thesis/creative project in our unit. The research can be field, lab, computational, or literature based. Faculty are open to discussion regarding the theme and format of your project. Group thesis projects may also be possible. When contacting a faculty member concerning a prospective thesis, please have a couple of themes in mind and knowledge on whether you would like to pursue a written or applied thesis. Faculty members should be chosen based on their field of expertise which can be garnered from their faculty pages in CISA or via ASUSearch. 

Examples of Honor's Contracts:

Dr. C. Ryan Penton: Emerging diseases, Sewage to track disease incidence, Why fungal diseases are becoming more widespread, Student choice of disease of interest
Dr. Nataile Welcome: Exploration of engineering internships, Spatial awareness in biology (journal articles), Aviation (journal articles), The Cubic equation, Society for the advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science, Proving calculus concepts, Makers lab innovation hub exploration. Accessible via this LINK. 

Examples of Honor's Theses:

Dr. C. Ryan Penton: Effect of microalgae application on the root rhizosphere and plant response in lettuce (Applied), Gut microbiome affecting depression and anxiety, Antimicrobial peptide activities against the fungal infection Pseudogymnoascus destructans, Changes to the oral microbiome after consumption of foods high in probiotics, Linkages between nutrition and immunity in mammals, Evaluating the viability of a DNA-based chip targeted for C. trachomatis, N. gonorrhea, and other pathogens of interest.

Academic Preparation

Again there is considerable flexibility with regard to the academic preparation of the student. Due to our program diversity (Applied Biological Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Applied Physics, Applied Quantitative Science, and Applied Science) there are no particular courses that are necessary to successfully complete the thesis. Courses such as ABS 492/493, MAT 492/493, and PHY 492/493 are available during their senior year to assist in the completion of their thesis.

Recommended Timeline

It is best if the student begins their work in the second semester or at the end, of their junior year, so that they have sufficient time to complete their scientific work before they finish writing the thesis in the second semester of their senior year. But there is flexibility and for students who are doing a literature-based project it is possible to begin the first semester of the senior year and complete everything in time to defend by the deadline of the last semester of their senior year. It is not recommended that any student attempt to start and complete a thesis in the last semester before graduation.

Other Honors Opportunities

Nearly all courses offered in our unit offer honors enrichment contracts. Students are encouraged to approach faculty teaching those courses at the beginning of the semester to discuss the possibility of an honors enrichment contract. Honors enrichment contracts can take on various forms, from short papers to presentations to creative projects. We encourage students to suggest topics/projects that are of interest to them.