Physics/ChemPhys Thesis Information

 The following applies to undergraduate students pursuing either the Physics concentration or the Chemistry & Physics concentration. 

Thesis Requirement 

A senior thesis details the original work you’ve conducted under the guidance of a faculty member. It should read like a publication but with dramatically more detail and explanation. It may be helpful to think about writing it as though it were a guide for a new student joining the project. 

The only students required to write a thesis are those pursuing a joint concentration (ChemPhys is its own concentration; it is not a joint). In this case, the thesis must be interdisciplinary, and the introduction to the thesis must make this clear. If the requirements of the other concentration differ from the physics requirements, the student should follow the stricter of the two.  

Students pursuing an honors degree or a double concentration are not required to write a thesis for the Phys and ChemPhys concentrations, though they may do so if they choose. 

Research Preparation and Early Planning 

Because meaningful research in physics typically requires sustained engagement, students intending to write a thesis are expected to begin research well before senior year. In most cases, we recommend that students begin exploring research opportunities for their thesis by their fifth semester (usually fall of junior year) and secure a faculty advisor by their sixth semester (usually junior spring) at the absolute latest. Plan to begin a well-defined research plan no later than the summer before your senior year. This research usually continues into the fall and spring of the senior year. 

Supervision 

Each thesis must be supervised by a ladder faculty member in physics or a related field. The thesis should be written with continual input from the primary advisor.

Timeline 

 

Note that the deadlines are different for the class of 2027, since this is the first year a thesis is required for a joint degree. 
 

Notes: 

  • Tasks with hard deadlines are bold.  
  • Joint concentrators will need to meet the requirements for both concentrations. In cases where deadlines differ, the earlier one will apply. 
  • Students graduating off cycle will need to adjust these deadlines by one semester. Talk to a director of undergraduate studies for exact dates. 
 
Deadline for Class of 2027 
Deadline for Class of 2028+ 

-- Initiate conversations with  potential advisors 

-- Begin or continue research 

Identify likely thesis advisor 

 
Ideal to start conversations by junior fall 

-- Secure advisor 

-- Develop tentative research plan 

-- Submit thesis intent form to department 

 

September 15, 2026 
April 15 of Junior Spring 
Conduct research and refine direction of the project 
The thesis project typically focuses on research conducted the summer before senior year (and likely continued into the fall of senior year) 
The thesis project typically focuses on research conducted the summer before senior year (and likely continued into the fall of senior year) 
Submit thesis outline and a draft of the introductory chapter to your primary advisor 
First day of senior spring*  
First day of senior spring* 
Submit full draft via email to primary advisor for their detailed feedback (with copy to ADUS) 
Day after spring break*  
Day after spring break* 
Thesis due to department 
Last day of class senior spring 
Last day of your graduating term (usually late April) 

 

*These deadlines may be moved with permission from your research advisor. They must email Anna Klales with your modified deadline. 

Length and Format 

There is no page requirement, since quality, clarity, and intellectual depth are more important than length. The thesis should be just long enough to effectively communicate what you want to say. A shorter, well written thesis is always better than a longer one that includes a bunch of fluff. The typical length is 30–60 pages.  

Your thesis should clearly distinguish any original contributions, and contain the following: 

  1. A title page formatted using the college’s standard thesis title page 
  2. Abstract 
  3. Introductory chapter: Explains the purpose of your work and relevant background information needed to understand the goals of your work. This chapter should be highly accessible. 
  4. A writeup of your work/experiment and/or any data. Figures should be of publication quality 
  5. Conclusion and/or discussion section.  
  6. Bibliography, proper acknowledgement of any facts, ideas, or materials of others, including generative AI. 

AI Policy 

The use of AI is up to the primary advisor. At a minimum, a detailed description of the use of AI should be provided in all instances where it is used. You are responsible for the content of your thesis. 

Evaluation 

Grading criteria should be established via a conversation between you and your advisor at the beginning of your project. The final draft of your thesis will be assigned a letter grade by the primary advisor and a second reader (chosen by the student with approval from the primary advisor). This grade factors into honors calculations per the usual process but the “thesis grade” will not appear anywhere on your transcript. 

You may write your thesis as part of Phys 90r or on your own. If it’s part of a 90r, the grade for 90r will be the same as your thesis grade. (Starting with spring 2027, a passing thesis grade will earn a SAT, since 90r will no longer be letter graded.) 

Submission 

Submit your thesis digitally as a PDF via the submission portal.