Guidelines for Thesis Supervisors
The College of Arts & Sciences
Students arrive at the decision to complete a Senior Thesis through many paths. Some have been involved in the University Honors Program and have taken departmental honors seminars prior to their senior year; some are transfer students with little research experience at this institution; some are excited by the opportunity, but have never before worked on a significant intellectual project. Given the diversity of their experience and their motivation, students need more assistance than you might assume from viewing their academic records!
If you agree to become a faculty mentor for a student pursuing a Senior Thesis, the first recommended step is to set up an in-person meeting with the student to discuss their research interests related to your field(s) of expertise. To provide a guide for this conversation, follow the guidelines provided in the thesis initiation form, by the appropriate deadlines.
Areas Where Students Need Guidance
Students will need guidance with the following:
Topic Development
Discerning a strong thesis within a manageable topic
Research Methods
Identifying appropriate research tools and methods; encouraging them to contact other faculty members with related areas of expertise
Research Ethics
Learning technical research procedures and appropriate academic honesty
Literature Review
Evaluating the relevance of published sources and preparing a pertinent, focused, current bibliography
Time Management
Devising a schedule for completion through certain stages of the thesis, which needs to include meetings with the faculty mentor on a regular basis
Writing and Formatting
Organizing and editing the final paper in accordance with the documentation style and length relevant to the field
Supervisor Responsibilities During the Defense Process
Once a paper is completed to your satisfaction in the semester of the defense, your role is to:
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1
Support Distribution
Approve the distribution of the paper to the two other readers on the defense committee; compel student to get copies of the paper to readers at least two weeks before the oral defense.
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2
Verify Defense Arrangements
Make sure the student has arranged for the oral defense date, time, and location and has notified the thesis coordinators of these details.
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3
Oversee Evaluation
The student is responsible for completing and returning the Thesis Evaluation Form.
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4
Review Revisions
In case of a "provisional pass," review the student's revised thesis to ensure that it meets the requirements of the defense committee before allowing the student to submit the final copy of the thesis to the thesis coordinator.
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5
Guide Final Submission
Remind your student to submit his/her finalized thesis via to the thesis coordinators as an e-mail attachment (.doc or .pdf formats), along with five to seven key words or phrases that will assist in archiving and indexing the thesis in Ekstrom Library's searchable digital collection. In addition, students are asked to complete and submit a signed copy of the Nonexclusive License form (see Forms) to indicate their permission for archiving in the digital collection.
Contact Information
Please reach out to the A&S; Senior Thesis Committee AS_SRTH@louisville.edu if you have any questions!
