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Senior Undergrad Thesis

 
Old 11-10-2012 at 10:32 PM   #1
oxelhs
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Senior Undergrad Thesis
I just realized I have no idea how this entire process works. I know you need to contact a prof who's willing to take you on but what happens after? You just propose a random idea you want to pursue pertaining to their work?
Old 11-10-2012 at 10:38 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oxelhs View Post
I just realized I have no idea how this entire process works. I know you need to contact a prof who's willing to take you on but what happens after? You just propose a random idea you want to pursue pertaining to their work?
They should send out information to the third years in the program. And typically the prof has a project in mind for you (or a few for you to choose from). Some profs do want you to come up with your own project, but that's not as common. Once you find a prof you'll need to fill out a form from your department.
Old 11-10-2012 at 10:45 PM   #3
oxelhs
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Ahh I see. Do they send this information out in first or second term? Yeah for now I haven't read many of the profs' works so I am at a loss for an "original" idea.
Old 11-11-2012 at 05:46 AM   #4
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Ohhhh...prof's usually have ideas for you? I was planning to contact them with some ideas...
Old 11-11-2012 at 09:56 AM   #5
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It can't hurt if you already have ideas to contact them with those ideas, since some profs do want you to, and the worst that can happen is they say no, they already have a project in mind.

As for when they send out the information, it's different for every program. Usually December/January, with the forms being due March/April, but it differs. You can contact a prof sooner though, if you want. Generally the rush is December and January, but people definitely find positions before and after that time, too. In November some profs say it's too early and to contact them again later on, but others will be willing to commit that early.

If you have questions about how your program specifically runs thesis, you should contact either the thesis coordinator or the undergrad advisor for your department.

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Old 11-11-2012 at 03:49 PM   #6
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Erm...what kinds of things do you say in a query letter? Should I send my resume?
Old 11-11-2012 at 04:01 PM   #7
spyridm
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this is why you should have come to the biosoc event lexo
Old 11-11-2012 at 04:22 PM   #8
Zebedee
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Not in bio...though I'm not entirely against gate-crashing...
Old 11-11-2012 at 06:12 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zebedee View Post
Erm...what kinds of things do you say in a query letter? Should I send my resume?
Resume and often a transcript...if you don't send a transcript then at some point they will likely (though not always) ask to see it anyways. My PI never asked to see my transcript, so it's possible, but really not very common.

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Old 11-12-2012 at 03:54 PM   #10
Scarecrow
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I kind of just started talking to one of my professors at office hours in 3rd year and thats how I got into his lab. Also volunteered there, etc. Didn't ask me for my grades because he knew I did well in his classes and that's all that mattered, I guess.



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