Thesis Committee
What Is a Thesis Committee?
The Thesis Committee consists of the individual(s) who support you throughout your Honors Thesis experience. Your Thesis Committee will help you develop your research ideas, provide feedback during research and writing, and facilitate the final presentation of your Honors Thesis.
Who Can Be on a Thesis Committee?
For a Thesis Seminar, the Thesis Committee consists of a Faculty Sponsor, who is the instructor of the seminar.
For an Individually Contracted Honors Thesis, the Thesis Committee consists of a Faculty Sponsor and at least one Committee Member. Students are responsible for identifying and coordinating with their Committee Members.
What is the role of a Faculty Sponsor?
The Faculty Sponsor is the faculty member who mentors you throughout your Honors Thesis journey. They will help refine your research question, approve your proposal, and provide feedback on your progress. They are also responsible for reviewing and grading your thesis materials and forms.
The Faculty Sponsor you choose should be an expert in your research area and hold a faculty title. This can include Full-time Tenure-Track Faculty, Full-time Non-Tenure Track faculty, Librarians, Five College Faculty, Retired Faculty Members, Visiting or Adjunct Professors. For all other individuals, the Honors Program Director should be consulted for approval.
What is the Role of a Committee Member?
The Committee Member is a supporting member of your Thesis Committee who provides additional perspectives and feedback. You will collaborate with your Faculty Sponsor to identify relevant areas for them to support. They will be included in regular meetings, offer feedback, and participate in the final presentation of your Honors Thesis. An example of additional responsibilities may include providing expert insight into a relevant topic, methodology, or creative process.
The Committee Member is usually a member of the UMass Amherst or Five Colleges faculty or post-doctoral fellow. With approval from the Faculty Sponsor and the Honors Program Director, it might be possible to select a Committee Member who is a graduate student, an individual from another university, or a professional in a related field.
How Do I Identify My Thesis Committee?
Thesis Seminar
Your Thesis Committee consists of solely the instructor of the Thesis Seminar, who serves as your Faculty Sponsor.
Individually Contracted Thesis
You will need to identify your Thesis Committee and coordinate with them directly to determine their eligibility and availability. Here are some suggestions to get you started:
- Consider faculty with whom you have previously worked, either as the instructor of your course or through independent work.
- Speak with the Honors Program Director and/or the Chief Undergraduate Advisor of a department about relevant faculty members within their department.
- If you are interested in lab-based research, get involved early. Consult the Office of Undergraduate Research and Study for support.
- Coordinate meetings with potential Faculty Sponsors prior to agreeing to work together to discuss interests, expectations, and availability. If they are not available as your Faculty Sponsor, they may be able to suggest other faculty to reach out to and/or they may be willing to serve as a Committee Member.
Departmental Honors Considerations
If you are completing Departmental Honors, consult with your Honors Program Director for approval of Faculty Sponsors and/or Committee Members outside of your department.
When are the Selection Deadlines for the Thesis Committee?
This is only relevant for an individually contracted thesis, as the Faculty Sponsor of a Thesis Seminar is pre-determined.
For an individually contracted thesis, you will need to recruit a Faculty Sponsor to serve on your Thesis Committee before you can submit your 499Y Proposal, which is used to enroll you in the first half of your Honors Thesis.
You will need to recruit your Committee Member before you can submit your 499T/P Honors Thesis Proposal. Note that students completing a six-credit, one semester individually contracted Honors Thesis must recruit both their Faculty Sponsor and Committee Member prior to proposal submission.