Natural Sciences
James "Chad" Johnson
About this opportunity
Degrees within the natural sciences in the School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, prepare graduates for a wide range of careers by offering course and laboratory work and quantitative research opportunities that develop fundamental problem-solving, critical thinking, writing and communication skills. Graduates may enter careers in business, laboratory or field research, medicine, publishing, scientific journalism, and teaching.
Thesis
In the Natural Sciences in SMNS, thesis work is done in close collaboration with faculty and typically involves experimental design/implementation and data collection/analysis. A successful thesis document should contain enough supporting information to be able to communicate the motivation and the technical details of the work/project to any faculty member in the natural sciences. Our unit abides by Barrett's requirements for a thesis committee of a faculty thesis director and one second committee member (faculty or qualified professional) and encourages the participation and inclusion of trans-disciplinary faculty on appropriate theses projects. The student should meet with a potential thesis director early in their planning process in order to find the "best fit" for their desired thesis or project.
Academic Preparation
As the exact appropriate academic preparation varies, depending on the thesis subject, students should coordinate with their potential thesis directors on how to prepare. Students interested in going to graduate school are highly encouraged to pursue Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)’s during their summers, while students interested in industry should pursue internships.
Recommended Timeline
Students are encouraged to contact a potential thesis committee director at least one semester prior to starting their 492 thesis credits (typically taken senior year). Students waiting until the semester in which they are to take their 492 class may not get to work on a thesis topic of their own choosing or design. Contact your FHA early in the year before you start your thesis to brainstorm ideas, faculty research mentors, and potential collaborations. If the focus of the thesis will be original research, students should begin a conversation with potential directors around their second year or earlier. Indeed, new researchers require time to develop and research breakthroughs are inherently unpredictable.
Once a faculty thesis director and second committee member have been chosen, the student will organize their project outcomes and timeline into the thesis prospectus, which is submitted to Barrett Advising. The prospectus serves as a project plan and helps map out the thesis process and expectations for final deliverables.
Students will generally work on their thesis project research, design work, and implementation, to include data collection if required, during the semester they are enrolled in the 492 course. The 493 course time should be used to put together the material from the previous semester in a cogent, meaningful manner in written form and prepare for the thesis defense. This time is critical for both the student and thesis director. The student must communicate with his/her thesis director and share their written work for feedback. This "edit and re-edit" process is just as important as the work performed in the 492 semester to produce a successful thesis.
Other Honors Opportunities
Honors enrichment contracts are available in classes in the School of Math and Natural Sciences on a case-by-case basis. Interested students should contact their faculty member/instructor directly regarding completing an honors enrichment contract for their class.
The New College also has several opportunities for undergraduate research to include the New College Undergraduate Inquiry and Research Experiences (NCUIRE) program, as well as Individualized Instruction (499) opportunities, and Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences offered each semester. Students can earn honors credit for these opportunities.
College
New CollegeCampus
West Valley