Senior Honors Thesis
Program
Office of Undergraduate Research
What is the Senior Honors
Thesis Program?
 The Senior Honors Thesis program provides 6 hours of credit
to complete a substantive research project in any field at
the University of Houston.
 If considering a thesis, be sure to first consult with an
academic advisor from your major to confirm how thesis
hours will adhere to your degree plan.
What is the Senior Honors
Thesis Program?
 The thesis project can be in your major or outside of your
major. If your thesis project is outside of your major,
consult with an academic advisor as to how the thesis will
adhere to your degree plan.
 These are not courses you can sign up for independently;
you must first be approved to participate in the program.
 The thesis must be directed by a faculty member with the
appropriate expertise for your topic. This individual will
serve as the instructor of record for the two courses.
 Many students in the program are members of The Honors
College, but you don’t have to be a member to
participate in the program.
Why a Senior Honors Thesis?
 The Senior Honors Thesis is a capstone program for your
undergraduate career, and allows you to graduate with an
honors designation. Many UH students say this is the most
memorable aspect of their undergraduate experience.
 Prepares you for graduate and professional school.
 Hones your writing and interviewing abilities.
 Allows you to take ownership of your field and studies.
 Fosters a mentor relationship between you and your thesis
director.
Steps for Success
1. START by thinking about potential topics. It is a good
idea to read theses in your field to get an idea of
what students in your discipline have done in the
past.
2. TALK to faculty in your department or faculty
members that have expertise in your topic. The first
person you speak with may not be able to be your
thesis director, but they may direct you to someone
else who will be.
How to Get Started
 Review the website at
http://www.uh.edu/honors/undergraduateresearch/honors-thesis/index.php
for guidelines, resources, and the required forms to enroll in
thesis hours.
What Should Be Included in
My Prospectus?
 Outline of goals and objectives and the way in which they
will be accomplished.
 Timeline in which you intend to have each section
completed.
 Include a bibliography of sources you will use, and a listing
of any other references or materials pertinent to your
project.
Use Your Prospectus!
 Once you develop a timeline for completion for your thesis,
use these parameters to stay on schedule.
 If you make a change to the content of your thesis, make
the change to your prospectus as well. The prospectus is
your outline for what you intend to cover and should reflect
the final product.
Helpful Tips
 Meet weekly with your thesis director.
 Keep your committee updated on your progress and on
any changes you may have made to the original
prospectus.
 Your committee is there to assist you with your project. If
you find yourself lost in the process, don’t be afraid to ask for
assistance.
 Stay on schedule. The thesis project is a major time
commitment. Schedule your time accordingly to ensure on
time completion. It is a good idea to divide your thesis into
chapters and subsections early on in the process.
 Schedule every component of your thesis project EARLY.
The Defense
 The defense is the presentation of your work to all three
members of you committee once you have completed a
draft of your thesis. Typically at the defense students
present their thesis, and then engage in a question and
answer session with their committee members.
 Plan the defense at least 6-8 weeks before graduation.
 Give all three members of your committee a copy of your
thesis at least 2 weeks before the scheduled meeting.
 Allow yourself plenty of time to make revisions after the
defense to ensure you meet your college’s binding deadline.
Questions?
 For more information about the Senior Honors Thesis
program, please contact:
Karen Weber
The Office of Undergraduate Research
The Honors College
211 MD Anderson Library
713-743-3367
kweber@uh.edu