Graduation with Distinction in Biology

Biology majors who achieve excellence in both their studies and a research-based thesis may apply for Graduation with Distinction in Biology.  Students may apply if they have a grade point average of 3.0 or above in Biology courses or courses cross-listed with Biology at the time of application, NOT including Independent Studies. The award of Distinction requires the completion of an original research project, usually carried out as an independent study in biology (BIO 191/297) or in an appropriate biological science department at Duke University.

Distinction will be awarded by a faculty committee based on an oral poster presentation and the written thesis. The thesis and poster should present a significant achievement in research and demonstrate a clear mastery of the research field.

The Distinction Process

Procedures for Distinction in Biology (PDF version)
Application Form (Word Doc), PDF Version
Deadlines - December 2007 Graduation
Deadlines - May 2008 Graduation

Preparation of the Honors Thesis

Guidelines for the Thesis
Thesis Format
Role of Research Supervisor
Role of Faculty Reader

Thesis Evaluation Rubric (PDF)
Faculty Evaluation Form (MS Word)
Student Response Form (MS Word)

Presentation & Format of the Thesis & Poster

Thesis Format & Printing
Sample Cover Page
Sample Theses
Guidelines for the Poster

Approved Distinction Theses from previous years
(Titles, Abstracts &  Research Supervisor Contact Information)

PROCEDURES & DEADLINES FOR MAY 2008 GRADUATION WITH DISTINCTION

1. Friday, September 28, 2007 - Submit an abstract & application form.

The Application Form (Word Doc), PDF Version is available online or at the DUS-Biology (Rm. 135 BioSci). Applications are to be submitted to the Undergraduate Studies Office by 4:00 pm.

The application must include:

• Student's name, e-mail, address and telephone number;
• Title and abstract (1-2 paragraph summary) of research;
• Name, contact information and signature of the faculty Research Supervisor.

The signature on the application should be from the Principal Investigator or faculty member most closely associated with your project. Any Duke faculty member in a biological sciences department (including the Duke University Medical Center) may be a Research Supervisor. The signature of the supervisor is an endorsement of the application for Distinction.  Approval of the application by the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) indicates that the student may proceed with the completion of the written thesis.  At that time, each student will be matched with a Faculty Reader from the Biology Faculty.

Students accepted as candidates for Distinction will be eligible to register for a special 1.0cc seminar in the fall or spring. This seminar will be an intensive training in the principles of scientific writing, with a focus on the preparation of the honors thesis. This seminar is recommended, but not required, for all candidates with the exception those participating in the Howard Hughes Forum (Biology 199S). The seminar carries a W designation.

2. Friday, Feb 29, 2008 - Last date to meet with Biology Faculty Reader.

By Friday, Feb 29, 2007, you should have been in contact with your assigned Biology Faculty Reader to discuss the criteria, format and general expectations for the writing of your thesis. You should either meet or begin correspondance with your Faculty Reader early in the academic year.

3. Friday, March 21, 2008 - Submit first draft to your Biology Faculty Reader.

The Research Supervisor must review and approve the thesis draft before submission of the the first draft copy.  Feedback from the Research Supervisor is crucial and it is wise to anticipate one or two rounds of revision before the March 21 deadline.  After submitting the draft to the Faculty Reader, students should contact their Reader individually to discuss the thesis draft. It maybe best to include your supervisor in that meeting.  After the Mar 21 deadline students may still submit a final thesis for approval but without opportunity for feedback or revision.

4. Friday, April 11, 2008 - Electronic Submission of Thesis Title & Abstract

Abstracts may be no longer than 250 words. There is no minimum word requirement.  This abstract may be revised from the original applicaiton. The preferred format for submission is a Microsoft Word document, either on disk or as an e-mail attachment.   Send e-mail attachments to: jill.foster@duke.edu.

5. Friday, April 18, 2008- Present research results and conclusions as a poster (3:00-5:00 pm, French Family Science Center Atrium)

A poster summarizing the results and conclusions of your project will be presented at the Poster Symposium as an oral defense of your thesis. Students should be available to answer questions from 3:00-5:00 PM. It is important to meet with your Faculty Reader at the Poster Symposium to discuss your poster- you may want to contact your reader in advance in order to arrange a time. All candidates for distinction must present a poster, but presentation does not guarantee the award of distinction. The location of the poster symposium is to be announced. The design and preparation of your poster should follow the "Guidelines for the Preparation of an Honors Poster."

It is the responsibility of the student to meet all requirements and deadlines. Awards of Distinction will be announced at the time of graduation and appear on the final transcript.

6. Monday, April 21, 2008 - Submit final copy to DUS-Biology Office by 12:00 pm.

The signature of the Research Supervisor is required for consideration of your final thesis and indicates that the work is complete and is nominated for distinction. An original thesis and one copy should be submitted in the format described below.  An honors committee consisting of the DUS and the Faculty Reader appointed by the DUS will evaluate the thesis for distinction.  The committee will evaluate the thesis in its final form and revisions will not be considered.

DECEMBER 2007 GRADUATION WITH DISTINCTION DEADLINES:

December graduates should follow the same procedures and guidelines outlined above, using the following deadlines:

Friday, September 7, 2007: Submission of abstract and application form to DUS-Biology Office

Friday, November 2, 2007: Last date to have met with Biology Faculty Reader

Friday, November 16, 2007: Submit one copy of first draft of thesis to Biology Faculty Reader

Tuesday, Dec 4, 2007: Submit final draft to DUS-Biology Office (with approval of research supervisor)

Friday, Dec 7, 2007: Poster Session, 5:00 p.m. French Family Science Center Atrium

MAY 2008  GRADUATION WITH DISTINCTION DEADLINES:

Friday, September 28, 2007: Submission of application, abstract and nomination to DUS-Biology Office

Friday, February 29, 2008: Last date to have met with Biology Faculty Reader

Friday, March 21, 2008: Submit one copy of first draft of thesis directly to your Biology Faculty Reader

Friday, April 11, 2008: Electronic Submission of Abstract

Friday, April 18, 2008: Poster Symposium, 3:00pm-5:00pm, French Family Science Center Atrium

Monday, April 21, 2008: Submit final copy to DUS-Biology Office by 12:00 pm

SUBMISSION AND FORMAT OF THE HONORS THESIS

Students should submit two original copies of the final thesis. One copy will be bound and kept in the Undergraduate Studies office and the other will be given to the student's faculty reader for review.

The format of the final copy should follow these guidelines:

1. Margins: 1 1/4" left, 1" top, bottom, right
2. Cover Page (sample ): Title; student's name; supervisor's name; date of submission; 3 signature lines at bottom right (Research Supervisor, DUS, Reader). Please follow the format and language of the sample.
3. Abstract Page: single-spaced, no page number
4. Text, figures and references: double-spaced, page numbers centered at the bottom
5. NO STAPLES or BINDERS, paperclips or binderclips are okay

Examples of Distinction papers from previous years are available for examination in the Undergraduate Studies Office (Rm 135 BioSci).

GUIDELINES FOR THE PREPARATION OF AN HONORS POSTER

The Honors Poster is a summary of the results and conclusions in the honors thesis. The poster must be displayed at the Poster Symposium, and students awarded Distinction are also invited to display their posters at the Biology graduation reception. The poster should include the following: Title (w/student's name and research supervisor's name); Introduction/Background; Materials & Methods; Results; Conclusions (list of concluding statements).

Students are encouraged to make use of the Biology Department's large-format poster printer. This allows you to print your entire poster, including color figures, on a single sheet of paper.

Students must follow the guidelines for creating a poster found here: http://www.biology.duke.edu/undergrad/honors/poster_instructions.html

Deadlines and info on submitting your poster for printing is here:
http://www.biology.duke.edu/undergrad/honors/poster_deadline.html

Additional information regarding poster design and deadlines for using the poster printer will be provided closer to the Symposium date.

For more information, contact Dr. Ron Grunwald, Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies. Phone: 919-660-7320; E-mail:ron.grunwald@duke.edu.