The Commonwealth Honors College thesis or project is intended to provide students with the opportunity to work closely with faculty members to define and carry out in-depth research or creative endeavors. It provides excellent preparation for students who intend to continue their education through graduate study or begin their professional careers. The student works closely with their 499Y Honors Research sponsor to pursue research on a topic or question of special interest to them in preparation for writing a 499T Honors Thesis or completing a 499P Honors Project.

Honors Thesis expectations are high. The intended end-product is a traditional research manuscript with accompanying artifact(s), all theses: - are 6 credits or more of sustained research on a single topic, typically conducted over two semesters. - begin with creative inquiry and systematic research. - include documentation of substantive scholarly endeavor. - culminate in an oral defense or other form of public presentation.

Honors Project expectations are high. The intended end-product is a traditional project manuscript with accompanying artifact(s), all projects: - are 6 credits or more of sustained research on a single topic, typically conducted over two semesters. - begin with creative inquiry and systematic research. - include documentation of substantive scholarly endeavor. - culminate in an oral defense or other form of public presentation.

Students in junior or senior year, with faculty sponsorship, may elect to complete a portion of their credit requirements with an internship/study experience coordinated through the Career Center.

This independent study course is intended for seniors participating in a year-long research project.

This is a stand-alone independent study designed by the student and faculty sponsor that involves frequent interaction between instructor and student. Qualitative and quantitative enrichment must be evident on the proposed contract before consent is given to undertake the study.

Not available at this time

This course examines the relationship between environmental conditions and social justice. Students will consider the social and political forces that differentially distribute vulnerability and contribute to health and socioeconomic disparities between populations. In this course, students will consider both local and global struggles for environmental justice, with case studies that focus on historically marginalized communities in the United States as well as in the Global South.

This course is intended for seniors who plan to apply to grad school within the next 1-3 years. Whether you see yourself on a research-focused track or a professional M.S. track, by the end of our structured 12 week process, you will have completed a strong set of draft components for your graduate school application, including a clear timeline for yourself and 2-4 requests for great letters of recommendation.