Frequently Asked Questions about the Honors Senior Thesis

What are the requirements to graduate with University Honors?

To graduate with University Honors, you must:

1. Complete all Honors track requirements in the Drake Curriculum
2. Maintain a 3.2 GPA or higher
3. Complete the HONR 199: Honors Senior Thesis with a grade of B or higher​.

What is the Honors Senior Thesis?

The HST is a culminating project representing a student’s advanced, interdisciplinary academic work. It can take the form of a research paper (typically 30 pages), creative performance, artistic installation, or another medium, as long as it reflects significant intellectual effort​.

When should I start planning my thesis?

As early as is reasonable (not your first year). Ideally, the Preliminary Thesis Proposal form should be submitted by the end of the semester before you plan to complete the thesis​. You will finalize your project idea with your thesis advisor at the beginning of the semester in which you register for either HONR 199 or HONR 197, and submit your finalized HST Proposal form by the end of the second week of that semester.

What’s the timeline for completing the HST?

1. Register for HONR 199 or HONR 197
2. Submit the Preliminary HST Proposal form before the semester you intend to write the thesis.
3. Secure a thesis advisor (outside your major) and submit the HST Proposal form by the end of week 2 of the semester in which you have registered to complete it​.
4. Present your project to the Honors community near the semester’s end​.
5. Submit your final thesis to your thesis advisor
6. Submit your thesis and presentation to an online repository.

Can the Honors Thesis double as my major capstone?

Yes, but only if:

• The thesis exceeds standard capstone expectations
• It demonstrates strong interdisciplinarity
• You receive approval from the Honors Director
• Your thesis advisor for the HST is from outside your major
• You include a meta-analysis of the project’s interdisciplinary nature​.

Who can be my thesis advisor?

Your thesis advisor must be a faculty member outside your major who has relevant expertise. You are responsible for researching and contacting potential mentors​.

Can I have more than one advisor?

Yes, you may. Many projects benefit from two advisors—especially interdisciplinary or joint capstone projects​.

What does 'interdisciplinary' mean in the context of the Honors Senior Thesis?

It means integrating insights from multiple disciplines to address complex questions. Unlike multidisciplinary work (which just juxtaposes disciplines), interdisciplinary work creates a synthesis of knowledge, tools, or methods​.

Is interdisciplinarity required for my thesis?

Yes. Your thesis must demonstrate meaningful interdisciplinary thinking, and you’ll need to explicitly discuss this in your project proposal and meta-analysis​.