{"id":3329,"date":"2021-10-31T12:11:10","date_gmt":"2021-10-31T16:11:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/krieger.jhu.edu\/behavioralbiology\/?page_id=3329"},"modified":"2024-11-07T13:58:58","modified_gmt":"2024-11-07T18:58:58","slug":"honors-thesis-in-behavioral-biology","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/krieger.jhu.edu\/behavioralbiology\/the-major\/honors\/honors-thesis-in-behavioral-biology\/","title":{"rendered":"Honors Thesis in Behavioral Biology"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

(Johns Hopkins community members can download as Honors Thesis PDF<\/a>) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The honors thesis in Behavioral Biology provides students with an opportunity to conduct independent research, culminating in a scientific paper of publication quality. Honors theses are especially recommended for students interested in pursuing advanced degrees. We expect the research design, execution, analysis and writeup to be of high caliber. The honors thesis in Behavioral Biology must be written by the student and include independent research carried out by the student through behavioral biology research or internship credits (AS.290.5xx).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conducting an honors project will include multiple phases: the development of a research question and experimental design, articulation of hypotheses and predictions, scholarly literature review, careful data collection and analysis, and preparation of a scholarly writeup of the project that places the research in a broad scientific context. You<\/em>, the student should conduct the majority of the research, data analysis, and all of the writing, with mentorship and guidance as needed.<\/em> If you are interested in earning honors in Behavioral Biology, speak with the DUS and your research mentor about ideas for a feasible project.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Timeline<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your final thesis proposal must be approved by your immediate supervisor\/mentor (often a postdoctoral fellow or graduate student), the lab PI (sometimes the same as the supervisor) and another Behavioral Biology faculty member (often the DUS) by the end of the semester, the semester you will graduate. Applying for\/obtaining honors in Behavioral Biology involves four formal steps, with the following deadlines:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. The semester prior to your graduation semester, before the last day to drop classes <\/strong>(usually about 1 month into classes), you must submit an honors thesis application<\/a> \u2013 this includes a title and abstract of the research and must be signed by your lab supervisor and PI.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. The semester of your graduation, before the last day to add classes, <\/strong>you must submit an honors grade worksheet<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. The semester of your graduation, before the last day to drop classes, <\/strong>you must email a draft of your honors thesis to the DUS with your PI cc\u2019d.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. At the end of the semester, <\/strong>a complete thesis, approved by your PI, must be submitted to the DUS.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Scientific Writing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Here are some links to get more information and tips for writing a scientific paper:<\/p>\n\n\n\n