WHERE TO LOOK

Do you have a good working relationship with faculty in your major department? That’s a good place to start. You may also consider talking with a faculty member whose work you admire, especially if it relates to your topic area. Meet with your potential advisor to discuss your topic. Do they seem interested or better yet, enthusiastic, about the possibilities? If you can see yourself working closely with this faculty member on your thesis, ask if they can commit the time to your project. Point them to the Faculty Advisors web page so they can see what will be required of them throughout the process.

WHAT THEY DO

Your Primary Thesis Advisor is the person with whom you’ll work most closely. He or she will:

• help you develop a reading list, experimental procedures, or creative direction for the project;
• sign a form so that you can enroll in HC477 (the required Thesis Prospectus Class);
• review and critique your prospectus and thesis drafts;
• attend both your prospectus defense and your final thesis defense
• sign the final copies of the prospectus and thesis.

Two other faculty members will round out your thesis committee and typically get involved in the project after the Thesis Prospectus is completed. However, you may ask them for advice and involvement earlier in the process. They will also review your work and attend your oral defense.

• The Secondary Thesis Advisor provides a different angle on the project and helps revise and shape the thesis. They are also experts in your chosen field and are usually involved after the thesis prospectus course is completed. If your thesis is interdisciplinary, consider selecting a Secondary Thesis Advisor from your second field.
• The CHC Thesis Advisor is usually identified and involved near the end of the thesis writing. This member of the Honors College faculty will be a liaison between the CHC and your major department. He or she will also make sure your thesis is accessible to “non-experts.” Again, choose someone who has an interest in your project and can commit the time to read your final thesis and attend your oral defense.

WHAT FACULTY ADVISORS NEED TO KNOW

To be sure your thesis advisors know what their role is, point them to the Faculty Advisors web page, or have them contact the CHC Academic Coordinator Kris Kirkeby.