Thesis

Honors Thesis Defense

All defenses must be completed two weeks before the end of the semester. This means that your thesis should be completed three weeks before the end of the semester so that your committee has sufficient time to read the document and to provide feedback. Your committee will consist of your advisor, a second faculty member from your area of interest (usually a second faculty member from your major department), and one faculty member from the Honors Council. The council member will be selected by Dr. Green. When possible this committee should be the same as the committee that sat in on your proposal defense.

When you are ready to defend you need to submit one electronic and one paper copy of the thesis to the Honors Office in Prairie Crossing. You should ask your committee members if they prefer an electronic or a paper copy of the thesis and provide to them accordingly. You should assume that the committee will suggest some revisions and refinements. Thus, even a successful defense will be followed by one more draft of the paper.

Once you are ready to schedule the defense, have your advisor contact Dr. Raymond Green, and he will arrange a mutually agreeable time for the committee to meet.

The final defense usually occurs in the conference room in the Honors Office. However, if another location is preferable this is negotiable. If you have technological needs (e.g., computer and projector) please let the Honors Office (903-886-3033) know in advance.

On the day of your defense the student will be asked to leave the room briefly. Dr. Green will apprise the committee of its purpose and the procedures of the defense. The student will be asked to return and then make a brief (10-15 minute) presentation concerning their thesis project. Once this is done, the floor will be opened for questions. After the defense the student will once again be asked to leave the room while the committee deliberates. Overall, the process usually lasts about an hour.

After the defense students are expected to make all corrections and to submit the final thesis for binding. Instructions for the binding process will be provided by the Honors Office.

Sample Thesis Proposals

These Thesis Proposals are actual proposals from current Honors Program students:

Sample Writing

Thesis Proposal Guidelines

Guidelines for Writing Your Thesis Proposal

Students should contact the Honors office at honorscollege@tamu-commerce.edu for instructions regarding thesis binding.