Responsibilities of Plant Science Research Honors Thesis Advisors

Plant Science Research Honors Program

• The pursuit of a research honors thesis is an extremely enriching experience for undergraduate students. This experience allows students to learn the nature of science and the scientific process and to better understand the ways scientists think and answer questions. The close association of students with their mentors is essential to this enrichment process. We therefore ask advisors to work closely and frequently with their students to ensure the highest quality and standards of their project. To that end, we ask advisors to ensure the following criteria are met. Failure to follow these guidlines may jeopardize your student's thesis acceptance:
• Ensure that your student follows the guidelines for Plant Science Research Honors Program as published in the current Cornell University Courses of Study.
  
  
• Guide your student in preparation of the thesis proposal. This is a critical part of his or her project and requires insightful and critical guidance. The thesis proposal must include "a title; a brief background to the problem (justification and literature review), a clear statement of objective(s) and hypotheses to be tested; methodology and experimental plan, necessary space, equipment and supplies, and a project budget." Proposals may be submitted at any time but are due September 14, 2007 for Spring 2008 graduates; February 8, 2008 for Fall 2008 graduates; September 19, 2008 for Spring 2009 graduates; and February 6, 2009 for Fall 2009 graduates.
  
  
• Write letter in support of your student's Plant Science Research Honors thesis proposal. This letter should accompany the proposal when it is delivered to the Honors committee. The letter should state that you approve the project plan, that its completion is feasible within the remainder of the student's term as an undergraduate, and that you approve of the project budget and will provide the necessary funds (above those granted by the college) to complete the project. The letter should also indicate that you have time available to guide and direct the student's project for its duration.
  
  
• Sign the application form for your student.
  
  
• Meet with your student frequently (i.e. at least weekly) to provide guidance and training as required to conduct the proposed research including experimental design, data collection, analysis of data, interpretation and reporting format, and the necessary writing skills of a caliber that they could meet the standards of a professional journal. Students are especially in need of solid mentoring in these areas.
  
  
• Attend mandatory Plant Science Research Honors meeting in 3rd week of spring semester (time and location to be announced). For this meeting, your student should prepare a 1-page written progress report of his/her project. This report should include the student's progress to date on the project and how closely activities are following the original research proposal. Any modifications to the original plan should be explained in detail. Your student will give a brief, oral summary of the report at the meeting.
  
  
• Read a draft of the thesis and provide critical comments and suggestions to your student for improvement. The Courses of Study guide states this requirement as follows: "The thesis should be written in the format of a research publication in the appropriate scientific field. The acceptable report must have been reviewed and corrected according to recommendations of the research supervisor before the report is submitted to the honors committee."
  
  
• Write a letter of evaluation and recommendation on departmental letterhead stating that you have read the final thesis, that the experiments were properly conducted, analyzed and interpreted, that you approve the thesis, and recommend the student for graduation with Distinction in Research. The final thesis (two copies) and the advisor's letter are due two weeks before the last day of classes (April 18, 2008 - Spring 2008 graduates; November 21, 2008 - Fall 2008 graduates; April 17, 2009 - Spring 2009 graduates; November 20, 2009 - Fall 2009 graduates).
  
  
• After the Plant Science Research Honors Committee reviews the thesis, revisions may be necessary. The advisor should meet with student to discuss revisions. The revised version is due by the second day of the examination period (May 8, 2008 - Spring 2008 graduates; December 11, 2008 - Fall 2008 graduates; May 7, 2009 - Spring 2009 graduates; December 10, 2009 - Fall 2009 graduates).
  
  
• Each student is required to have a minimum GPA of 3.0 for entry into the Plant Science Research Honors Program and this GPA must be maintained for graduation with Distinction in Research.
  
  
• It is highly recommended that your student participate in the Cornell Undergraduate Research Symposium (usually held in mid-April) or other such presentation forums, such as a student paper presented at the American Society of Horticulture Science or other professional society. You should plan to attend this important event for your student.

Plant Science Research Honors Committee