CURO Handbook
Dr. David S. Williams, Director of the Honors Program, Foundation Fellows and CURO
dwilliam@uga.edu
Dr. Pamela Kleiber, Associate Director of the Honors Program and the Center for
Undergraduate Research Opportunities (CURO), Handbook author and co-editor
pkleiber@uga.edu
Benjamin Simpson, Administrative Associate
bsim@uga.edu
Rebecca Cheney, Program Assistant
rcheney@uga.edu
Produced by Central Duplicating, The University of Georgia
© 2006
Undergraduate Research
An active inquiry or investigation conducted by an undergraduate student that is
relevant and meaningful, engages the student, and achieves one or both of the
following goals:
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Makes an intellectual or creative contribution to the discipline or practice
•
Introduces students to or instructs them in research methodologies and values
(UGA SACS Self-Study Reports of the Undergraduate Experience, 2000)
CURO Handbook
Table of Contents
Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………..1
Why participate in undergraduate research? ......................................................................... 1
Introduction to Research (“Gateway”) Seminars ................................................................ 1
Undergraduate research apprenticeships and fellowships ................................................... 2
CURO Apprentice Program..................................................................................................... 2
CURO Summer Research Fellowships .................................................................................. 2
Karen A. Holbrook CURO Academic Support Fund........................................................... 3
CURO Symposium ................................................................................................................... 3
Publication of Research ............................................................................................................... 4
Graduation with Honors ........................................................................................................... 4
CURO Scholar Distinction…………………………………..……….…………..……..4
Participating in undergraduate research…………………………………………………...5
Before you start on your research ........................................................................................... 5
After research has started ......................................................................................................... 8
Some helpful suggestions for getting started in research .................................................... 9
Continuing your research and completing an Honors thesis/project (HONS 4990H)…..11
Getting started on the thesis................................................................................................... 11
During the thesis/project semester............................................................................................. 13
Preparing the thesis/project for submission……………………………………………….14
Style of thesis .......................................................................................................................... 14
Format for submission ............................................................................................................ 14
Requirements for the “written document” recording the development of an Honors project ... 14
General hints for style and formatting.................................................................................. 15
Procedures for submission ..................................................................................................... 15
After submission of the thesis ............................................................................................... 17
Copyright issues ...................................................................................................................... 17
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)……………………………………………………….19
Appendix A: Forms
Appendix B: Thesis format guidelines
Appendix C: Thesis sample pages
CURO Handbook
Introduction
As part of the Honors Program at the University of Georgia, the Center for Undergraduate
Research Opportunities (CURO) promotes opportunities for undergraduate students to engage in
research with premier research faculty. CURO operates on the premise that it is possible for
undergraduate students and faculty members to cooperatively engage in the creation of
knowledge. Research faculty members who participate in the CURO program consider students
partners in a learning community, and many students find that they develop mentoring
relationships focused on conducting research. For more information on CURO, visit our website
at www.uga.edu/CURO.
Why participate in undergraduate research?
It is no longer necessary to wait for graduate school to conduct research. Participating in Honors
directed undergraduate research contributes to the intellectual, professional, and personal growth
of the student. Through research, students can explore, in depth, questions and issues of interest
they have developed during their regular coursework. Students who choose to participate in
undergraduate research will gain valuable research-related skills that can help them meet the
demands of graduate or professional school, or those of any contemporary career. Specifically,
CURO students learn the skills necessary to:
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identify and develop research topics
formulate concise questions
anticipate and think through problems and generate solutions
develop frameworks to accomplish goals
work collaboratively towards a common goal
communicate effectively using the written and spoken word
think critically
evaluate objectively
present and share knowledge effectively in oral and written formats.
For these reasons, both Honors and other academically talented undergraduate students are
invited to participate in the wide range of research opportunities provided at the University
through CURO.
CURO Introduction to Research (“Gateway”) Seminars
CURO offers seminars to introduce academically talented students to research in their chosen
fields. These one or two credit-hour pass/fail seminars are open to students with 30 to 89 hours
of UGA academic credit and a cumulative GPA of 3.4 or higher (unless otherwise noted). Nonhonors students wishing to conduct directed undergraduate research are required to take the
seminar after having received Permission of Honors (POH) from Dr. Pamela Kleiber, Associate
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Director of Honors. Although not required to do so, Honors students also are strongly
encouraged to participate in one of the seminars.
Participating in CURO research seminars helps students develop an understanding of the
research process, identify and develop research interests into proposals, and locate faculty
sponsors of student research. Upon completion of the seminar, CURO students may register for
Honors undergraduate research courses.
Undergraduate research apprenticeships and fellowships
In addition to taking undergraduate research courses, qualified undergraduate students have the
opportunity to receive financial grants while conducting research through the CURO Apprentice
Program (CURO-AP) and CURO Summer Research Fellowships.
CURO Apprentice Program
CURO-AP (formerly Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program) seeks to enrich the academic
experience of undergraduate students by engaging them in research during their first and second
years. Each year, CURO selects a limited number of incoming first year students for research
apprenticeships. These students are eligible to receive a stipend of $1,000 per semester, for four
successive semesters, based on satisfactory performance as an apprentice. Apprentices are
required to spend an average of 10 to12 hours a week under the direction of faculty and earn one
academic credit hour for an Honors research seminar taken while in the program. Interested
students can find more information about CURO-AP and an on-line application at the program’s
website: http://www.uga.edu/honors/curo.
CURO Summer Research Fellowships
Depending on the availability of funding, CURO annually awards Summer Research Fellowships
to academically talented undergraduates to participate in research during the summer term.
Successful applicants receive a financial award of $2,500 or $3000 and present their research at
the CURO undergraduate research symposium. (Those students who receive $3000 must use
$500 toward presenting their research at a regional or national conference.)
In order to be selected for a Summer Research Fellowship, interested students must have at least
a 3.4 GPA and be willing to commit to the following:
1. Enroll in two sequential Honors undergraduate research courses: HONS 4960H and
HONS 4970H or HONS 4970H and HONS 4980H. (Students who wish to complete a
thesis during the summer should check with Dr. Kleiber and their faculty research
mentor. If approval is granted, the student will register for HONS 4980H and HONS
4990H.) Students who are awarded the fellowship must register for these classes for the
regular summer session before they are eligible to receive fellowship monies. If, during
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the course of the fellowship, the student withdraws from these classes for any reason, the
stipend must be returned in full. CURO Fellows must resign from any other UGA
employment to be eligible for funding and may not be enrolled in any other courses. If
selected, 6-hour Honors courses will be created for the student to register for on OASIS.
2. By the last day of classes of the summer semester, submit an abstract of the summer
research to Dr. Pamela Kleiber for possible presentation at the annual CURO
Symposium. Fellowship recipients are required to attend the Symposium, even if their
abstract is not selected for presentation.
3. Participate in panel discussions with the Associate Director throughout the academic
year.
Students who will be using human subjects in their research must be granted human subjects
approval by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at UGA in order to receive the fellowship.
The human subjects application may be submitted to the IRB after the student is selected as a
Summer Fellow, but the application must be approved before the student can receive the stipend.
Students who will be traveling internationally as part of their research must complete additional
paperwork and attend a CURO study abroad orientation before their departure. Travel insurance
will be arranged by CURO, and the cost (approximately $2/day for time abroad) will be deducted
from the stipend.
Karen A. Holbrook CURO Academic Support Fund
The fund provides support for an annual award for students performing research in the
biomedical sciences and/or travel grants for students to present or conduct research off the UGA
campus. Criteria for selection are established by the Honors Program and CURO. Check the
CURO Web site for further information.
CURO Symposium
CURO sponsors an annual undergraduate research symposium to highlight outstanding
undergraduate researchers and their faculty research mentors at the University of Georgia and
from sister institutions of higher education from around the state. Students interested in
presenting should submit an abstract of their research for review by a committee of graduate
students and faculty. CURO also invites sister institutions to select an exemplary undergraduate
student researcher to represent their institution. Students whose abstracts are accepted may
present their research at the Symposium with their faculty research mentor presiding. The
CURO web site includes an archive of abstracts presented at previous symposia, as well as the
call for abstracts and the application to participate in the forthcoming Symposium. Interested
students and faculty may access the web site at http://www.uga.edu/honors/curo.
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Publication of research
In addition to presenting research at the CURO Symposium, undergraduate researchers have the
opportunity to share their findings in several undergraduate research journals. The
Undergraduate Science Bulletin (TUSB) and the Journal of Undergraduate Research
Opportunities at Georgia (JURO@GA) give students a valuable head start on the ins and outs of
the publishing process and provide a lasting record of their academic achievements.
JURO@GA, an online publication, highlights undergraduate research in the arts and humanities
by students in Georgia. The journal may be accessed at: http://www.uga.edu/honors/curo/juro.
The Undergraduate Science Bulletin is available both online at
http://bmbiris.bmb.uga.edu/tusb/index.htm and in print. Please refer to these web sites for
procedures concerning the submission of research for publication.
Graduation with Honors
Honors undergraduate and thesis courses may be applied toward upper division requirements and
graduation with Honors. Please check the Honors Student Handbook for further information
regarding graduation with Honors. CURO Scholars distinction information is an honor available
to all students who take 12 hours of Honors research, including writing a thesis and presenting at
the Symposium. More information is available on the CURO web site.
CURO Scholar Distinction
Students who complete twelve hours of Honors undergraduate research, write an Honors thesis,
and present at the CURO Symposium will be eligible for the CURO Scholar distinction. (The
Honors thesis semester hours count toward the twelve hours of research.) The distinction will be
acknowledged at the CURO Symposium and noted on the student’s transcript.
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Participating in undergraduate research
Undertaking a research project is a challenging endeavor for both seasoned and beginning
researchers alike. From deciding the topic of the research to writing research reports and
considering further research of the topic, research poses many challenges to those who undertake
it. In order to better prepare CURO students for the challenges of undergraduate research,
CURO has prepared a list of suggestions to get started.
Before you start on your research
1. Find out the requirements for graduation from the major department and what kind of
academic credit will be granted for completing a research project.
2. Determine what prerequisites you must fulfill for enrollment.
3. Know the rules.
4. Find a topic of research.
5. Find a faculty research mentor.
6. Design the framework.
7. Secure permission.
1. Graduation requirements
Generally, completion of an Honors undergraduate research course counts towards a
student’s major. Some departments require enrollment in an undergraduate research
course (though not necessarily Honors research) and/or the completion of a thesis,
portfolio, or project. Honors recommends that research required by the major department
be expanded in scope or specificity for the Honors thesis. See the major advisor and Dr.
Pamela Kleiber for details.
2. Requirements for enrollment
Honors students in good standing may enroll in Honors undergraduate research courses
(4960H-4980H). Non-Honors students with a 3.4 cumulative GPA or higher (unless
otherwise stated) may also complete Honors directed undergraduate research courses
following the successful completion of a CURO Introduction to Research “Gateway”
seminar (HONS 3010H, HONS 3040H, or HONS 3070H). CURO “Gateway” Seminars
are also advised for Honors Students who want guidance before taking 4000 level
research courses. Seminars are graded on a pass/fail basis.
3. Rules governing participation in undergraduate research
Students who wish to take more than one Honors undergraduate research course per
semester must get prior approval from Dr. Kleiber. The only exceptions to this rule are
the CURO Summer Research Fellowship recipients, who must take two research courses
in the summer.
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4. Finding a topic of research
A good research topic often develops from sustained interest in a topic a student has
studied in a course or another educational experience. Below are some suggestions for
finding a topic.
a. Make a list of questions about a topic of interest. The foundation of a research
project often takes the form of a question or questions. Take some time and think
about areas of interest that did not receive in-depth treatment in your courses.
What questions remain unanswered? These can become the research questions
that your project will attempt to answer.
b. Look for previous research that addresses the same topic. Good research
builds on or questions the work of other researchers, so it is important to do some
background research to find out what kind of treatment your topic has received in
the past. A good place to start looking for background materials is the Galileo
database of articles from scholarly journals accessible through the UGA libraries
Web site at http://www.libs.uga.edu/.
c. Visit the CURO web site. This web site includes information about current
research opportunities for undergraduate students and a list of university research
centers and institutes that may sponsor undergraduate research. Students may
access the site at http://www.uga.edu/honors/curo.
d. Visit the Graduate School’s departmental contact page. The departmental
web sites listed on this page contain information about ongoing research in each
department and the contact professor. Some of these research projects may afford
possible research opportunities. Students may access this page at the following
address: http://graduate.gradsch.uga.edu/bulletin/bulletin/contacts/contacts_
main.htm.
e. Visit the departmental web site for a major course of study. Once a student is
familiar with the research of a professor and has established a shared interest, the
student can approach the professor in order to consider a design for an
undergraduate research course.
f. Attend regularly scheduled Information sessions for “Getting Started in
Research as an Undergraduate” and “Writing the Honors Thesis.”
g. Consider off-campus research opportunities. Many research projects funded
by the government such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) have
undergraduate research programs that may count towards credit in Honor
undergraduate research. Students who are interested in one of these programs
will need to find a faculty research mentor at UGA to assign a grade and serve as
a liaison between the university and the researcher with whom the student will be
working.
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h. Check the web sites below for important information. These sites include two
important issues in research: research safety and guidelines for conducting
research with human and animal subjects. Students conducting research
involving human subjects must submit an application to the Institutional Review
Board (IRB). If a student is working on a faculty member’s project, human
subject approval already should be in place. Please note the length of time
required for approval of human subjects research.
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Safety-related web site: http://www.esd.uga.edu/
Human subjects information: http://www.ovpr.uga.edu/hso/
Animal subjects information: http://www.ovpr.uga.edu/acu/
Conflict of interest information:
http://www.ovpr.uga.edu/rpph/appendix/coi_pol.html
Intellectual property information:
http://www.ovpr.uga.edu/rpph/rph_chp2.html
Library of Congress: http://www.loc.gov/
5. Finding a faculty research mentor
A professor who shares the student’s interest is a good candidate to serve as a faculty
research mentor. Additional suggestions may be found below.
a. Check department web sites. Here, students can review the research interests of
faculty to determine mutual interests.
b. Look in the major department. Students can talk to professors in their major
department and ask them who would be a good candidate for their research
mentor.
c. Make an appointment with the major advisor. A student’s major advisor may
be able to suggest faculty members who share similar research interests. CURO
staff also is available for consultation on possible research projects.
d. Explore the Graduate School web site. The Graduate School’s departmental
contact page, http://www.gradsch.uga.edu/bulletin/bulletin.html, contains a
wealth of knowledge about the research interests of faculty members. Students
can then make contact with those that share your research interests.
6. Designing a research course framework
Students should design the framework for the research course in cooperation with their
research mentor. This design may include a reading list for the background research,
development of research questions to be answered during the research, a proposal or a
description of the final product of the research, and a timeline for completion of the
project. Other suggestions are listed below.
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a. Develop a research question for the topic.
b. Review the related literature. This will provide an idea of what has been done
and what you can contribute.
c. Determine the methods you plan to use to answer the research questions.
d. Decide the final product of the research. This may take the form of a proposal
for continued research that will culminate in a possible Honors thesis/project, or a
paper summarizing the progress the student has made in his/her topic towards an
Honors thesis/project.
e. Complete an application for Undergraduate Research Course. Students
should complete the application with the assistance of their faculty research
mentor and send it to the CURO office for approval.
7. Securing permission
In order to enroll in Honors undergraduate research courses, the student must get
permission from the faculty research mentor and the department in which the research
will be conducted and submit an Application for Undergraduate Research Course to
CURO for approval. A copy of the application may be found in the appendices. The
deadline for turning in the application is the last day of exams of the semester before the
one in which the student will be doing the research. Thorough completion of this form is
imperative, as it represents a formal agreement between the student and the faculty
research mentor. Students who will be using human subjects in their research must be
granted human subjects approval by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at UGA.
After research has started
1. Be diligent about record keeping.
2. Schedule regular meetings with the faculty research mentor.
3. Always seek and carefully consider the advice of your faculty research mentor during the
research.
4. Talk to the faculty research mentor about the format of the write-up/final product of the
research.
5. Consider presenting the research at the CURO Symposium and the National Conference
in Undergraduate Research (NCUR).
1. Record keeping
Students should record everything they do and observe in a notebook. Consistent and
detailed record keeping will help greatly when it comes time to prepare the write-up or
final product of the research.
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2. Meeting with your faculty research mentor
The faulty research mentor can help address problems early on before they become
critical. Don’t be afraid to discuss unexpected data or slow progress with the faculty
research mentor—both are normal parts of the research process.
4. Formatting the final product
Depending on the nature of the research and whether the student plans to continue the
research in another research course, the format for preparing the results varies. Knowing
this format ahead of time will help the student avoid mistakes and confusion when it
comes time to turn in the final product. Style manuals may be found in the reference
section of the main library or the CURO Reading Room.
5. Presenting the research
The annual CURO Symposium displays the best of undergraduate research from across
the state of Georgia to other interested students and faculty. Students can submit an
abstract of their research for review online at
http://www.uga.edu/honors/curo/symposium. Guidelines and specifications regarding the
creation and submission of an abstract may be found at the CURO Web site. Information
about the National Conference in Undergraduate Research (NCUR) may also be found
here.
Some helpful suggestions for getting started in research
The following selection comes from 500 Tips for Research Students, by Sally Brown, Liz
McDowell, and Phil Race. These tips are excellent for those students getting started on their
research projects. Reprinted with permission.
MAKING KEY RESEARCH DECISIONS
Chapter 2 page 10-11
When students begin a research project, there are many decisions to be made. Students need to
decide on the exact topic for their research and how to approach it. Then come the details of the
research project design. Since many of these decisions loom large at the beginning of a project
when students may feel they know very little, it can be daunting.
1. Nothing is final. Decisions students are asked to make at the beginning may seem to be
irrevocable, but often research changes in minor ways, and sometimes in major ways, as it goes
along. This is an accepted part of the process.
2. Have an escape route. Consider alternatives if the first idea doesn't work. Try to think through
the consequences of the decisions. It is always worth having a Plan B. Or, try doing more than
one thing in parallel for a while and see how they work out.
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3. Don't rush decisions. Students may begin to panic if the days and weeks are slipping by and they
don't feel they are actually doing anything. Students should not let this feeling push them into
action for the sake of action. Thinking and planning do take time. Play with ideas for a day or
two and see how they feel.
4. Don't start from scratch. Somebody else has almost certainly undertaken a similar project,
needed a similar piece of measuring equipment, or done a similar kind of survey. (Check out the
CURO Reading Room for Honors theses and samples of research proposals.)
5. Research is all about building on the work of others.
6. Write it down. Students should write down and try to express clearly what they want to do and
how they intend to achieve. It is probably the most useful way of clarifying and pinning down
thoughts.
7. Get a second opinion. And a third and a fourth! Write down ideas, plans, rationale, and first
thoughts and get others to look at them. They may well notice some things that the student has
overlooked. Research supervisors should be particularly helpful here.
8. Doing research is about progressively focused decision-making. Don't expect to get everything
sorted out once and for all and then get on with it. Students will find themselves constantly facing
decisions about what to do next, how to interpret this set of data, what is significant, and so on.
9. Students should not wait until they know what they're going to do is the best possible course of
action. Do something anyway. Sometimes deciding to do something is better than waiting to be
sure that it is the right thing (but see ‘escape route’ above).
10. Keep a sense of proportion. Research isn’t a student’s whole life and, in the overall scheme of
things, will it destroy the planet if someone makes a wrong choice? Time spent doing research is
an opportunity to get an overview of the field a student is interested in before making important
choices.
11. Take responsibility. It's the students project. No one else can or should make the important
decision for the student. However, listen to people who have fallen into the pits that can trap the
unwary, as they know where the pits are and how to avoid them.
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Continuing the research and completing an Honors
thesis/project (4990H)
After completing one Honors research course, many students choose to continue research in their
topic and/or complete an Honors thesis/project. Completion of an Honors thesis/project is a
capstone of the undergraduate experience which provides a lasting legacy of what each student
has learned over the course of his or her college career, and is a hallmark of academic
achievement. Though many of the guidelines, tips, and suggestions for taking Honors
undergraduate research courses equally apply to taking an Honors thesis/project course, there are
differences. CURO has organized a list of tips and suggestions to make the experience less
stressful and more rewarding.
Getting started on the thesis
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Find about eligibility requirements for taking an Honors thesis course.
Check with the major department about required final projects.
Secure permission for enrollment in an Honors thesis course.
Find a topic for the thesis.
Find a faculty research mentor.
Design the Honors thesis course.
Find a reader for the thesis.
1. Eligibility requirements
Unless granted special permission by the Honors Program, all undergraduates wishing to
complete an Honors thesis/project must have completed at least one Honors
undergraduate research course (4960H, 4970H, 4980H) or one departmental Honors
research course. Additional courses are available (but not required) to allow students to
devote additional credits to research and to demonstrate progress toward 4990H. See the
section on “Getting started on research” for details about taking Honors research courses.
2. Departmental final projects
Some departments require students to complete a final paper/project to receive a degree.
It may be possible for an Honors thesis to count towards the fulfillment of a final paper
requirement. Please check with the major advisor and Dr. Pamela Kleiber and ask them
how students may simultaneously fulfill the final paper requirements and requirements
for an Honors thesis.
3. Securing permission for the Honors thesis/project
Students wishing to enroll in an Honors thesis/project course must get the permission of
their faculty research mentor as well as departmental approval for their work as well as
complete an Application for Undergraduate Research. A copy of this application has been
included in the appendices. Please note the departmental approval line. For this line, a
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signature may be required of a member of a department committee (as in the English
Department), a specific advisor (as in Biological Sciences) or the department head.
Please make sure the correct prefix and number is available for the requested semester.
This application must be completed in its entirety and returned to the CURO Office by
last day of exams of the semester before the one in which the student intends to do the
thesis/project. If this deadline passes, please make an appointment with Dr. Pamela
Kleiber to discuss approval.
4. Finding a topic for the Honors thesis/project
Below are some suggestions for narrowing down the research topic:
a. Expand on Honors undergraduate research projects/courses. Students writing an
Honors thesis generally choose to base it on findings or questions developed
during prior Honors undergraduate research projects/courses.
b. Consider expanding previously written works/projects from other courses. Papers
or projects completed in other courses can be refined, expanded, and polished to
satisfy the requirements of an Honors thesis. Faculty research mentors can assist
students in determining how best to build on previous work and develop it into an
Honors thesis.
c. Check to see if the major department requires a final project/paper to receive a
degree. Students required to complete a final project/paper may be able to expand
it in scope or depth in order to have their Honors thesis/project count towards this
requirement. Talk to the major advisor to see how a final paper/project for a
degree may be combined with requirements for an Honors thesis.
5. Finding a faculty research mentor
Check with previous faculty research mentors from directed Honors undergraduate
research courses. Students whose theses are primarily based on the results of their
research may want to ask the same faculty research mentor to direct their Honors
thesis/project course.
6. Designing the Honors thesis/project course
Because an Honors thesis/project must be completed in one semester, it is important for
the student and his or her faculty research mentor to develop an outline of the thesis
course, including objectives of the thesis/project, literature to be reviewed, a description
of the final product, and a timeline for completion of the thesis/project.
7. Finding a reader
The responsibility of the reader is to provide an additional perspective to the content and
style of the thesis/project.
a. Consider professors from previous courses. Professors with similar interests are
good candidates for readers.
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b. Consider a reader from a different department. Students completing an Honors
thesis/project that includes several different disciplines may wish to choose a
faculty research mentor from the primary discipline department and a reader from
a different department who is familiar with the secondary discipline.
c. Secure agreement from the faculty research mentor first. It is important that both
the faculty research mentor and reader agree to this relationship, so students
should check with their faculty research mentor before finalizing the selection of a
reader.
During the thesis/project semester
1. Have regular contact with the faculty research mentor and reader.
2. Make sure CURO has an up-to-date email for the student.
3. Have a conference with the faculty research mentor and reader.
1. Meeting with the faculty research mentor and reader
The faculty research mentor and reader can help assess the progress of the thesis/project
and find appropriate materials to review.
2. Email address
The email address the student provides CURO on his or her application for undergraduate
research and thesis will be kept on a distribution list in order to communicate about thesis
related information.
3. Faculty research mentor and reader conference
As students complete the thesis, they will need to meet with their faculty research mentor
and reader. Together, they will discuss the thesis and prepare it for submission. Be sure
to submit copies of the thesis/project to the faculty research mentor and reader in advance
of the conference. During the conference, students should give their faculty research
mentor and reader a copy of the Notice of Faculty Mentor & Reader Conference form to
fill out and turn in to the CURO office at 203 Moore College. Please note that the
thesis cannot be processed until this form is received.
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Preparing the thesis/project for submission
When the time comes for preparing an Honors thesis/project for submission, students must be
aware of three things: the style of the thesis, the submission format, and the procedures for
submission. Uniform style and formatting assures that the reader pays attention to the meaning
of the content. Following the correct submission procedures guarantees that students receive due
credit for their thesis in a timely manner. Only theses that are properly formatted will be
accepted for publication.
Style of thesis
For the purposes of this handbook, the style of a paper refers to standards by which the content
of a paper is presented and organized. Style usually focuses on conventions of punctuation,
spelling, capitalization, abbreviation, referencing of sources, et cetera. Style for scholarly
written works varies from discipline to discipline, so students writing an Honors thesis should
check with their faculty research mentor or major advisor about which style to use. Once the
student knows the style to follow, he or she can refer to the appropriate style manual. Copies of
several style manuals are available for use in the CURO Reading Room in Moore College. The
main library’s reference area has a complete selection of style guides.
Format for submission
In addition to conforming to conventions of style for a particular discipline, an Honors thesis also
must be submitted in a standardized format. Though submission format and style may overlap in
some areas, format generally refers to the overall structure of a thesis—margins, pagination,
typeset, chapter headings/subheadings, et cetera. Formatting conventions also specify pages that
must be included in the Honors thesis, such as the signature page, the abstract, and the table of
contents. Students should see the thesis sample pages and thesis format guidelines in this
handbook, and visit the CURO web site for information about formatting the thesis.
Requirements for the “written document” that records the
development of an Honors project
Students completing a creative project to fulfill the Honors capstone requirement must prepare a
document that illustrates its development. In general, the written document supporting a creative
work should contain a description of the work, influences affecting the creation of the work, and
the theoretical background of the work. This document must conform to the standards of style in
the students department as well as the thesis submission guidelines set forth by the Honors
Program. Like an Honors thesis, the document will be submitted online in PDF format.
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CURO Handbook
General hints for style and formatting
1. Use the appropriate style.
2. Be consistent.
3. Be professional.
1. Style of the thesis
The Honors thesis/project should conform first to the style and format required by the
academic discipline. For example, English uses the Modern Language Association
(MLA) style and Psychology uses American Psychological Association (APA) style.
Students can then modify the style to conform to the Honors thesis/project submission
criteria.
2. Consistency
Use the same format for levels of headings, pagination, et cetera, throughout the entire
document.
3. Professionalism
An Honors thesis is a scholarly work that should reflect the professionalism of the writer.
Use standard typefaces, such as Times New Roman or Courier.
Procedures for submission
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Review the formatting and style.
Prepare the electronic copy of the Honors thesis.
Sign up for a format check appointment online with program assistant Rebecca Cheney.
Submit a PDF version of the Honors thesis online.
Attend a thesis format check appointment.
1. Format and style of the Honors thesis
Students should check the formatting of the final copy of their Honors thesis using the
thesis format guidelines and thesis sample pages in the appendices. These guidelines
provide information about what pages to include in the Honors thesis, the order in which
they should appear, and general formatting regulations. Questions about style and
formatting may be forwarded to Rebecca Cheney at rcheney@uga.edu.
2. Preparation of the electronic copy of the thesis
All students writing an Honors thesis are required to submit an electronic copy of their
thesis in PDF format to the Honors Program. The electronic version of the thesis will be
archived in GALILEO by the main library and sent to the Tate Center, where two bound
copies will be made free of charge. The CURO computer lab in Moore College is
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CURO Handbook
equipped with Acrobat software for converting Word documents into PDF format. The
Graduate School offers Acrobat software seminars. Students also may download the free
GhostScript software from the Graduate School Web site
(http://graduate.gradsch.uga.edu/etd2/ghost.htm) to convert their thesis into PDF
documents. Note that the names of the student author, faculty research mentor, and
reader may be typed, instead of signed, on the Signature Page of the electronic version of
the Honors thesis.
3. Signing up for a thesis format check appointment
A month prior to the last day of exams, the CURO office will send out an email asking
students to sign up for a format check appointment online. (Students should make sure
that the CURO office has their updated e-mail address.) These appointments will occur
during the weeks prior to and during final exams. They should take place after students
have had their Faculty Mentor & Reader Conference and have made all of the final
changes that their research mentor and reader recommended.
To register for an appointment:
• Go to the main Honors web page at http://uga.edu/honors/fronts/index.html.
• Click on “Advising & registration” in the bottom right corner.
• Click on “Register your advising appointment online” in the top left corner.
• Enter your Social Security Number, and click Next.
• Beside College, select “Honors thesis format check advisement,” and click Next.
• From there, you can search available appointments. The times will appear on the
right side of the screen.
• To make an appointment, click on “Register” by the time that you want.
• Note: The system requires that you register for an appointment at least 24 hours in
advance.
4. Submission of the thesis
Prior to the thesis format check appointment, students should submit a PDF version of
their thesis online via the Format Check Submission Page at
http://www.gradsch.uga.edu:5080/honors/. The title MUST LOOK LIKE THIS:
lastname_firstname_middleinitial_yearandmonthofsubmission_degree.pdf
For example,
cheney_rebecca_s_200705_ba.pdf
5. The thesis format check appointment
Students should bring with them to their thesis format check appointment the Electronic
Thesis Submission Form, the signed Notice of Faculty Mentor & Reader Conference
form, two copies of the signed signature pages on 100% cotton rag paper, a copy of their
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CURO Handbook
thesis title page, and a copy of their thesis on disk as a Word document to make changes
if necessary. *Note: It is possible to convert a PDF file to a Word document, but
sometimes the formatting is compromised in the process. Therefore, students should
bring a copy of their thesis as a Word document to make changes easily.
If a student is unable to make the necessary format changes at the time of the thesis
format check appointment, the CURO program assistant will accept evidence of the
completed thesis (signed Notice of Faculty Mentor & Reader Conference form, thesis
title page, etc.) in lieu of the final version so that the student will graduate with the proper
Honors distinction. The student must correct the formatting mistakes and submit the final
version of the thesis online as a PDF file via the Final Submission Page at
http://www.gradsch.uga.edu:5080/honors/ as soon as possible so that the publication
process can begin. Students who wait more than six months to submit the final version of
their thesis will not receive a bound copy of their thesis.
After submission of the thesis
1. When all necessary documentation is received, CURO will review the thesis.
2. After approval of the thesis, one electronic copy will be sent to the library for electronic
“shelving” and another to the Tate Center for printout and binding. Two bound copies of
the thesis will be made free of charge. One hard copy is for the student and one will be
kept in the CURO Reading Room in Moore College. The faculty research mentor will
receive an electronic copy of their student’s thesis. Students may request additional
bound copies from Tate Center Copy Services by contacting the manager and providing
him/her with a credit card number as soon as the thesis is turned in to the Honors
Program. For price estimates, go to the Copy Services website. A complete electronic
version (including the abstract) will be made available to campus-wide computer users
though the UGA libraries web site. The thesis will be made available to off-campus users
via GALILEO only if that option is approved by the student on the Electronic Thesis
Submission Form.
3. The abstract of the thesis will be made available on the CURO Web site and may be
accessed from any computer with Internet access.
Copyright issues
The University of Georgia respects the intellectual property rights of students and faculty.
Students should discuss copyright protection with their faculty research mentor. Information on
applying for copyright protection can be obtained at the Library of Congress Web site at
http://www.loc.gov/copyright/. When necessary, students should complete an Intellectual
Property Disclosure form to submit to CURO. A thesis will not be released for printing and
binding until written notification has been received that a patent is no longer pending. A thesis
may be held up to a maximum of three years, after which it will be deleted from the system.
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CURO Handbook
Intellectual Property Disclosure forms may be picked up from the CURO office in Moore
College.
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CURO Handbook
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
CURO and the Honors Program welcome comments, questions, and suggestions by current and
former Honors and CURO students about undergraduate research and Honors theses. Student
input helps ensure that these programs provide students with all the information and support
necessary to make the most of their undergraduate research experience. CURO has compiled a
list of Frequently Asked Questions and the corresponding answers to aid current CURO and
Honors students in the completion of their research and Honors thesis.
Q: When should students start working on their Honors thesis?
A: All Honors students should consider undergraduate research early in their undergraduate
career. The first year is not too early to begin planning a course of study to include
undergraduate research. Students planning to complete a thesis should decide no later than the
end of their third year. The necessary paperwork should be completed the semester before
research begins.
Q: How long should it take to complete an Honors thesis?
A: A minimum of six credit hours are required to complete an Honors thesis (at least one
undergraduate research course and an Honors thesis course). In some cases, an upper level
course provides sufficient preparation for the thesis proposal.
Q: Is undergraduate research or an Honors thesis mandatory for all Honors students?
A: Though the Honors Program encourages all students to participate in undergraduate research
and write an Honors thesis, completing a thesis is not mandatory. Students may satisfy the
requirement for graduation with Honors, High Honors, or Highest Honors by taking graduatelevel courses.
Q: If a student is conducting Honors or CURO undergraduate research, does he or she
have to write an Honors thesis, too?
A: No. The Honors Program believes that Honors undergraduate research serves as a powerful
learning experience in and of itself. Although this research often culminates in an Honors thesis,
a thesis is not mandatory.
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CURO Handbook
Q: Can students do something creative (other than a thesis) to satisfy the Honors thesis
requirement?
A: The expression of students’ academic achievement and the knowledge they have gained can
take multiple forms. Some students, especially those in the visual and performing arts, may
prefer to organize a recital, exhibition, or performance in lieu of writing an Honors thesis. In
these cases, a written document to record the development of the creative work is required to
fulfill the thesis requirements.
Q: Do students have to write an abstract for their Honors thesis or project?
A: Yes. An abstract must be submitted with the thesis proposal when applying for the 4990H
course. An abstract is also included on the first page of an Honors thesis.
Q: When is the final version of my Honors thesis or project due?
A: The thesis or project is due the last day of exams of the semester in which the student took the
Honors thesis course. If a student feels he or she cannot meet this deadline, extensions may be
granted at the discretion of the faculty research mentor and the Honors Program.
Q: Where do students turn in their Honors thesis?
A: Students should submit an electronic PDF copy of their thesis online at
http://www.gradsch.uga.edu:5080/honors/. For the thesis format check appointment, students
should submit via the Format Check Submission Page. For final submission of the thesis once
all formatting mistakes have been corrected, students should submit via the Final Submission
Page.
Q: Do students have to present the results of their undergraduate research at the CURO
Symposium?
A: The CURO Undergraduate Research Symposia offer students a valuable opportunity to share
their knowledge with other faculty and students. All CURO and Honors students are encouraged
to submit an abstract of their research and an application to participate in the CURO Symposium,
but participation is only mandatory for CURO Summer Research Fellowship recipients and
CURO Apprentices.
Q: What happens if a student can’t finish the Honors thesis before the end of the semester?
A: Students who don’t complete the Honors thesis before the end of the semester will receive an
incomplete, “I”, on their record. Students must complete their thesis by the last day of the
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CURO Handbook
following semester for the “I” to be removed and a grade given. Students are not permitted to
take the Honors thesis course again.
Q: Does completing undergraduate research resulting in a project or thesis qualify all
CURO research students for graduation with Honors?
A: Only Honors students may graduate with Honors, High Honors, or Highest Honors.
However, CURO research students who complete 12 total hours of Honors undergraduate
research, including an Honors thesis, project, or article submitted for publication, and present at a
CURO Symposium graduate with the CURO Scholar Distinction.
Q: Does taking a 4990H (Honors thesis) course count towards a student’s major?
A: If a student takes a departmental Honors thesis course, BIOL 4990H for example, this course
may count towards their major. However, the Honors Program thesis course, HONS 4990H,
may or may not satisfy a department’s major requirements. Please check with the major
department before enrolling in the course. Usually, if a student satisfies the requirements for the
department while enrolled in HONS course, credit toward the major will be awarded.
Q: What are the requirements of the “written document” used to record a recital,
performance, or exhibition that is the culmination of undergraduate research?
A: In general, the written document supporting a creative work should contain a theoretical
description of the work, influences impacting the creation of the work, and the background of the
work. Like a thesis, this document must conform to the standards of style in the student’s
department as well as the submission guidelines set forth by the Honors Program.
Q: What writing style should students use when writing their Honors thesis?
A: The thesis should conform to the style guidelines a student’s department uses for submissions
to scholarly publications: MLA, APA, Chicago, etc. Copies of several style guides may be
found in the main library and in the CURO Reading Room. In addition to the departmental style
requirements, the Honors thesis formatting guidelines and thesis sample pages (see appendices)
contain additional requirements concerning the organization, margins, page numbering, and type
size of the thesis.
Q: What is the difference between the HONS 4990H course and a departmental 4990H
course?
A: Most departments have a course prefix for their Honors thesis courses, but some do not. For
those departments that do not, students may use the HONS prefix course.
21
CURO Handbook
Q: What courses should students take in preparation for writing an Honors thesis?
A: In order to write an Honors thesis, students must have taken at least one Honors directed
undergraduate research class unless otherwise approved by CURO. The CURO Introduction to
Research “Gateway” Seminar is required for qualified students not in the Honors Program and is
voluntary for Honors students.
Q: Is the faculty member with whom students conduct their directed Honors
undergraduate research the same one with whom they do their Honors thesis?
A: The faculty member who conducts the students’ research classes often directs their Honors
thesis, though this is not a requirement.
Q: If a student’s department does not offer a 4990H (thesis) class during the spring
semester of my senior year, can he or she substitute the HONS 4990H class to fulfill the
requirements of the Honors thesis?
A: Such a substitution is up to the discretion of the student’s major department. Departmental
approval is needed to allow the student to take the HONS 4990H course instead of the
departmental equivalent.
Q: If a student needs some money to help with a research project, can the student receive
funding?
A: Honors will consider requests for financial support on a case by case basis. Students who
need funding for their research are encouraged to check in their major department for support.
Q: If a student would like to conduct undergraduate research, but doesn’t know where to
start looking for a topic, what should the student do?
A: Students can find out the basics of conducting research, including how to choose a research
topic, by taking an HONS 3010H, 3040H, or 3070H “Gateway” course sponsored by CURO.
This course is required for non-Honors students wishing to conduct undergraduate Honors
research or write an Honors thesis. Students also can find potential research opportunities on the
CURO website at http://www.uga.edu/honors/curo/research/index.html
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CURO Handbook
Q: If students don’t have enough time to write an Honors thesis, should they still conduct
research?
A: Yes. The process of conducting research is valuable in and of itself. Students who undertake
undergraduate research develop critical thinking skills and gain experience in working
collaboratively towards a common goal. These skills can serve students well in their personal
and professional lives.
Q: Some departments, such as the history department, require the completion of a
formal/research paper to attain a certificate or to graduate with a degree from that
department. Can this paper also count as an Honors thesis?
A: Because an Honors thesis normally represents a more in-depth treatment of the topic of
research, it is not possible to substitute a formal/research paper for the Honors thesis. However,
it may be possible to have an Honors thesis count toward the departmental formal/research paper
requirement. Students should discuss, with their professor, the possibility of having an Honors
thesis take the place of the formal/research paper.
Q: How many Honors directed research courses may a student take per semester?
A: Both Honors and non-Honors students may take one directed Honors undergraduate research
course per semester. Exceptions include CURO Summer Research Fellowship recipients, who
are required to take two consecutive research courses during the summer semester in order to be
eligible for the fellowship.
Q: Can an article submitted for publication in a scholarly journal count as an Honors
thesis?
A: Yes, an article submitted for publication may count as an Honors thesis, provided it meets
certain requirements. First, the submission must be to a peer-reviewed scholarly journal.
Second, if the article is the result of collaboration with a faculty member, a document
demonstrating the student’s role in the conducting of the research must be provided. Simply
helping with the background research is not sufficient. For more information, please contact Dr.
Pamela Kleiber at pkleiber@uga.edu.
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CURO Handbook
Appendix A: Forms
Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities
APPLICATION FOR HONORS UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Student’s name (Please print.)
Social Security Number
Telephone number & E-mail address
Major
Anticipated graduation date
Important: In order to register for Honors directed undergraduate research, students must either be an Honors student in good
standing or a CURO student with a 3.4 GPA who has successfully completed the gateway CURO seminar. Students may only take
one directed research class per semester unless otherwise approved by Honors. In order to write an Honors thesis, students must have
taken at least one directed undergraduate research course. Please consult individual departments regarding additional prerequisites
and deadlines. To ensure graduation with appropriate honors distinction, please keep the CURO office updated to research courses
taken. *CURO Scholar Distinction is awarded to students who (1) earn 12 hours of honors undergraduate research credit, (2) write a
thesis (the thesis semester counts toward the 12 hours of honors research), and (3) present their research at the CURO Symposium.
Directions: Carefully complete and submit this form to the CURO office at 203 Moore College by the last day of exams before the
semester in which you wish to conduct research or write a thesis. Please note that this document serves as contract/syllabus between
the student and the faculty research mentor. Incomplete or illegible forms cannot be processed. A separate form for each semester of
research is necessary in order to demonstrate progression.
Course: (Please fill in the departmental course prefix in the blank if applicable.)
Semester/Year: _________________
______4960H
______ 4970H
______4980H
______4990H (Thesis/Project)
HONS 4960H
HONS 4970H
HONS 4980H
HONS 4990H (Thesis/Project)
_______ _____ (other)
Hours of Course_____________
List Previous Honors Research Courses:
1)______________
2) ______________
3) ______________
4) ______________
5) ______________
6) ______________
Required Attachment: On a separate piece of paper, provide objectives of the research course, a description of the research
activity or project, the student’s product(s) to be graded, the literature to be reviewed, and a schedule for meeting with the faculty
research mentor. If you are writing a thesis, please list previously taken directed research classes on which the thesis is based along
with a proposed title, the name of a reader, the timeline/deadline for completion, and a 250 word abstract.
Do you plan to present your research at the next CURO Symposium?
Yes
Do you plan to graduate with CURO Scholar Distinction*?
No
Yes
No
Unsure
Unsure
Name of faculty research mentor (print)
________________________________________________________________________________
Signature of faculty research mentor
Department
Date
________________________________________________________________________________________
Departmental approval (please check for specific person responsible
for undergraduate research, e.g. undergraduate advisor or coordinator)
Date
-------------------------------To be completed by Honors Program------------------------------------------Approval signature __________________________
Dr. Pamela B. Kleiber
Call no.____________
Date received: ___________
Office of the Associate Director of the Honors Program and CURO 203 Moore College
Telephone (706) 542-5871 Fax (706) 583-0119 E-mail curo@uga.edu
An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Institution
Approved?
Yes
No
2006_04_18
Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities
NOTICE OF FACULTY MENTOR & READER CONFERENCE
_________________________________
Student’s Full Name
______________________
Last Four Digits of SSN
_________________________________
Major
______________________
Anticipated Graduation Date
Directions: Carefully complete the top portion of this form and give to your faculty research mentor and reader to
complete during your Faculty Mentor & Reader Conference. The CURO office must receive this form before an
Honors thesis/project can be considered for approval.
Course:
______4990H /
HONS 4990H
Semester/Year: _________________
Final Title of Honors Thesis/Project: ________________________________________
This document affirms that the student named above has met with his or her faculty research
mentor and reader to conduct a review of the Honors thesis prior to submission to the CURO
office. Any changes that need to be made in the final document have been brought to the
student’s attention.
______________________________________________________________________________
Signature of Faculty Research Mentor
Department
Date
______________________________________________________________________________
Signature of Reader
Department
Date
Final student grade for course: _____________
(Faculty Research Mentor, please submit the official grade role for thesis course to Registrar’s office by deadline.)
Comments
Office of the Associate Director of Honors and CURO Moore College
Telephone (706) 542-5871 Fax (706) 583-0119 E-mail curo@uga.edu
An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Institution
Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Electronic Thesis Submission Form
Please complete this information and submit it once you have submitted your thesis online. Your thesis should
follow the format and organization outlined in the sample pages and guidelines available on the CURO web site at
www.uga.edu/honors/curo. In addition to this form, please have three copies of the signature page printed on 100%
cotton rag paper and signed by your Faculty Research Mentor and Reader. Remember to include an electronic copy
of the signature page in your PDF with the professors’ names printed on the lines in lieu of signatures.
Name: __________________________
Last
________________________
First
Last Four Digits of Social Security Number:
____________________
Middle
__________________
Date of Birth: __________________
Date of Thesis Submission:
Month ____________
Year _________
Degree: Bachelor of ________________________
Major: __________________________________
Faculty Research Mentor: ____________________________ Department: ________________
(please print)
Reader: ____________________________ Department: ________________
(please print)
No. of Additional Copies for Binding (fee charged): _________
Receipt for Additional Binding Fee Attached:
No
Contact information:
Yes
I would like my thesis to be
accessible (check all that apply):
in hardbound copy in the
CURO reading room
from UGA campus computers
from any computer
On Campus:
Phone:______________________
E-mail:______________________
Mailing Address for Honors thesis:
Address: ______________________
______________________
______________________
Phone:
E-mail:
______________________
______________________
CURO Handbook
Appendix B: Thesis format guidelines
CURO Handbook
Thesis Format Guidelines
GENERAL FORMATTING
Style
The Honors thesis/project should conform first to the style and format required by the academic
discipline. For example, English uses the Modern Language Association (MLA) style, and
Psychology uses American Psychological Association (APA) style. You can then modify the
style to conform to the Honors thesis/project submission criteria.
Consistency
Use the same format for levels of headings, pagination, etc. throughout the entire document.
Professionalism
An Honors thesis is a scholarly work that should reflect the professionalism of the writer. Use
standard typefaces such as Times New Roman or Courier and standard sizes such as 11 or 12.
Margins
•
•
•
•
The left and right margins must be 1 inch for all pages.
The first page of the front matter sections and main body sections (with the exception of
the copyright page) must have a top margin of 1.75 inches. The top margin of all
subsequent pages of each section must have a top margin of 1 inch. For example, the top
margin of the first Table of Contents page is 1.75 inches, and the second Table of
Contents page is 1 inch; the top margin of the first page of Chapter 1 is 1.75 inches, and
the second page of Chapter 1 is 1 inch.
To achieve a 1.75 inch top margin on a single page, set all margins at 1 inch for the
whole document. Then start typing four lines down from the top of the page. (In a
double-spaced document, you would hit the Enter key twice.)
Centering is always done relative to the text area, i.e., within the margins, not the page
edge.
Page Numbering
•
•
•
No page prior to the Dedication Page should be numbered.
Placement of page numbers should be consistent throughout the thesis.
Make page numbering and formatting easier! Create three separate Word documents
for your thesis. One should contain pages on which numbers do not appear (Abstract,
Title Page, Signature Page, Copyright Page), one should contain pages on which Roman
numerals appear, and the third should contain pages on which Arabic numerals appear.
Convert these three documents to PDF and then combine them into one PDF file. This
method will save you lots of headache and hair pulling!
CURO Handbook
Fonts
Embed the fonts in your Word document and your PDF document. You can find instructions for
how to embed fonts in Word and PDF on the Graduate School’s web site at
http://www.uga.edu/gradschool/academics/thesis_fonts.html.
FRONT MATTER
Abstract Page (required)
•
•
•
•
•
The abstract should be approximately 250 words long
You must include index words which are related to the topic and which can be used to
find the document when searching the library’s databases. The maximum word count
does not include index words. See thesis sample pages for an example.
The abstract and index words must fit on one page. You can single space if necessary.
The abstract page is not counted in page numbering.
Abstract paragraphs should be indented.
Title Page (required)
•
•
•
Include the year submitted, NOT the year of graduation.
“by” should be in lowercase.
Degree titles should follow this format:
BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (or SCIENCE, ARTS, etc.)
in ECONOMICS (or BIOLOGY, HISTORY, etc.)
with HONORS (or HIGH HONORS, HIGHEST HONORS, etc.)
and CURO SCHOLAR DISTINCTION (only if applicable to you)
Copyright Page (optional)
•
Copyright page is counted in numbering of thesis pages, but the number isn’t typed on
the bottom of the page.
Signature Page (required)
•
•
•
•
•
Author’s name should be in all caps.
For the faculty research mentor and reader, list the date of the Faculty Mentor & Reader
Conference. The date for Dr. Kleiber and Dr. Williams is the last day of final exams for
the semester in which you are submitting your thesis.
Faculty Research Mentor should be called such, and not called “Professor of Economics”
or any other title like this.
Signature page is assigned a number, but this number is not typed on the page.
You must include an electronic copy of your signature page in the PDF file of your
thesis. Type the names of your faculty research mentor, reader, Dr. Williams, and Dr.
CURO Handbook
Kleiber on the appropriate signature lines, and type the appropriate dates on the date
lines. The two hard copies of your signature page should be signed and dated by your
professors during the Faculty Mentor & Reader Conference.
Dedication Page (optional)
•
•
•
This page and all front matter pages hereafter are numbered with lowercase Roman
numerals.
The Dedication Page is NOT listed in the Table of Contents.
Indent Dedications paragraphs.
Acknowledgements Page (optional)
•
•
List the Acknowledgements page in the Table of Contents.
Indent Acknowledgements paragraphs.
Table of Contents (required)
•
•
•
•
•
•
All pages before the actual thesis itself should be labeled using lowercase Roman
numerals (i.e. i, ii, v, etc.), while pages within the thesis should be labeled using Arabic
page numbers (i.e. 1, 2, 3 …)
Don’t include the dedication in the Table of Contents.
Keep Table of Contents consistent. Each major heading should be in all caps and to the
left side. Sub-headings should be in upper and lower cases and indented.
All entries in the Table of Contents must match their entries in the main text of your
thesis, including wording, capitalization and page numbers.
Change page numbers throughout the work to be consistent, especially after formatting
changes are made. Make sure such changes are also reflected in the Table of Contents.
If your thesis has tables and/or figures, they must be listed within the Table of Contents.
List of Tables (optional)
•
•
If present, it must be listed in the Table of Contents.
Entries must match the caption in the text and include page numbers.
List of Figures (optional)
•
•
If present, it must be listed in the Table of Contents.
Entries must match the caption in the text and include page numbers.
CURO Handbook
MAIN BODY SECTIONS
•
•
•
•
Begin each major section on a new page.
Headings must be consistent with the Table of Contents.
The last line of a paragraph should never begin a new page. There must be at least two
full lines of text in a new paragraph in order to avoid moving the text to the next page.
Move the whole paragraph to the next page. Many word processing programs can be set
to prevent parts of sentences or paragraphs from becoming isolated on the next page
(these are called “widows” or “orphans”). For more information on formatting your word
processing program, visit the Graduate School website at:
www.gradsch.uga.edu/quicklinks/etd.htm.
The body of the thesis must be double-spaced throughout, but single spacing is permitted
but optional in the following text:
o Footnotes
o Block quotations
o Table and figures and their captions
o Bibliography entries (if single spaced, double space between entries)
Table and Figures
•
•
•
•
Figure descriptions should be written directly below the corresponding drawing.
Table captions are always written above the table.
As noted on the Graduate School website, figures and tables must be uniquely numbered
in either of the following manners:
o Consecutive numbering throughout the thesis
o Combination chapter and figure/table number designation (i.e. Figure 1.1, 1.2,
1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, etc.)
A figure or table may be:
o Embedded in the text
o Placed on a separate page following the text in which it is cited
o At the end of its respective chapter
Works Cited Page
•
•
Be sure to label the Works Cited page as such. It needs a heading, just like other major
sections in the thesis.
Be sure to include a line space between each entry in the Works Cited.
If there is ever a discrepancy between Honors Program guidelines and
Graduate School guidelines, use the Honors Program guidelines.
CURO Handbook
Appendix C: Thesis sample pages
CURO Handbook
(sample Abstract Page)
ABSTRACT
STUDENT’S NAME
Title of Project
(Under the Direction of FACULTY RESEARCH MENTOR’S NAME)
The abstract should be the first page of the thesis. The top margin of this page is 1.75”.
It should not be counted in any numbering scheme and no number should appear at the bottom of
the page. The abstract should be 250 words long and should fit on one page. Index words must
be included after the body of the abstract, following the format below. Index words are key
words or phrases used in your paper that would enable a person to successfully search out your
document in a library or an Internet search engine. The first word of each index term should be
capitalized. Be sure to indent your index words, following the format below.
INDEX WORDS:
Index term, Thesis, Honors Program, Capstone, The University of
Georgia, Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities
CURO Handbook
(sample Title Page)
THE TITLE OF YOUR DOCUMENT BELONGS HERE, CENTERED, ALL CAPS, AND
DOUBLE SPACED
by
IMA GREAT SAMPLE
A Thesis Submitted to the Honors Council of the University of Georgia
in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree
BACHELOR OF __________________ (e.g., ARTS or SCIENCE)
in __________________________ (NAME OF DEPARTMENT)
with ________________________ (e.g., HONORS, HIGH HONORS, or HIGHEST HONORS.
Check with your Honors advisor to see which designation you will earn.)
and CURO SCHOLAR DISTINCTION (Only if applicable to you. If you have questions about
qualifying for CURO Scholar Distinction, please contact curo@uga.edu.)
Athens, Georgia
YEAR OF THESIS SUBMISSION
CURO Handbook
(sample Copyright Page)
© 2007
Ima Great Sample
All Rights Reserved
(This page should be included in the thesis only if the student has or is planning to apply
for a patent or copyright protection. For information of copyright applications
visit the Library of Congress at http://www.loc.gov/copyright/.)
CURO Handbook
(sample Signature Page)
THE TITLE OF YOUR DOCUMENT BELONGS HERE, CENTERED, ALL CAPS, AND
DOUBLE SPACED
by
IMA GREAT SAMPLE
Approved:
(hard copy – have professor sign here)
(e-copy – type professor’s name here)
Dr. (type professor’s name here)
Faculty Research Mentor
Date of Faculty Mentor & Reader
Conference
__
Date
Approved:
(hard copy – have professor sign here)
(e-copy – type professor’s name here)
Dr. (type professor’s name here)
Reader
Date of Faculty Mentor & Reader
Conference
__
Date
Approved:
(hard copy – have Dr. Williams sign here)
(e-copy – type Dr. Williams’ name here)
Dr. David S. Williams
Director, Honors Program, Foundation Fellows and
Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Date of Last Day of Final Exams
Date
Approved:
(hard copy – have Dr. Kleiber sign here)
(e-copy – type Dr. Kleiber’s name here)
Dr. Pamela B. Kleiber
Associate Director, Honors Program and
Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Date of Last Day of Final Exams
Date
CURO Handbook
(sample Dedication Page)
DEDICATION
You may write whatever you would like to on this page. Use this space to write
something meaningful to whomever you would like to dedicate your document. This page is
completely optional. Include a page number on this page in the center, just above the lower one
inch margin. Left justify text on this page.
iv
CURO Handbook
(sample Acknowledgements Page)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Again, use this space to give thanks to all those who have helped you with your Honors
thesis/project. This section is included in many theses and is used to express the personality of
the author. This page is counted and numbered in the center of the page just above the bottom.
v
CURO Handbook
(sample Table of Contents Page)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS...................................................................................................v
LIST OF TABLES.................................................................................................................viii
LIST OF FIGURES ...............................................................................................................ix
CHAPTER
1
INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................1
Why Participate in Undergraduate Research? ...................................3
CURO Introduction to Research (“Gateway”) Seminars...................7
CURO Symposium ............................................................................9
Publication of CURO Research .........................................................12
Undergraduate Research Assistantships and Fellowships .................14
CURO Research Apprentice Program (CURO-AP) ..........................17
CURO Summer Research Fellowships..............................................20
2
GETTING STARTED IN YOUR RESEARCH............................................23
Before You Start on Your Research ..................................................23
Finding a Topic of Research ..............................................................25
Finding a Faculty Research Mentor...................................................28
Designing an Undergraduate Research Course..................................31
Some Helpful Suggestions about Getting Started in Research..........35
vi
CURO Handbook
APPENDICES .......................................................................................................................37
A
APPLICATION FOR HONORS UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ........37
B
NOTICE OF FACULTY MENTOR & READERS CONFERENCE...........38
C
ELECTRONIC THESIS SUBMISSION FORM...........................................39
D
CURRENT AND PAST FACULTY RESEARCH MENTORS ...................40
WORKS CITED ....................................................................................................................45
vii
CURO Handbook
(sample List of Tables Page)
LIST OF TABLES
Page
Table 1: Number of Students Who Conduct Research as Undergraduates ...........................5
Table 2: Sample of Research Topics Presented at the CURO 2006 Symposium..................9
Table 3: Research Assistantships and Fellowships Available to Undergraduates.................16
viii
CURO Handbook
(sample List of Figures Page)
LIST OF FIGURES
Page
Figure 1: The Rise of Undergraduate Research.....................................................................6
Figure 2: Faculty Research Projects on the CURO Web Site................................................28
ix