Requirements to complete a thesis in fall or spring
Biology majors who achieve excellence in both their studies and a research-based thesis may apply for Graduation with Distinction in Biology.
The application for Spring 2027 GwD in Biology is due Tuesday, September 15. Apply here.
- GPA: At the time of application, students should have a grade point average of 3.0 or above in Biology courses and courses approved as electives for the major, not including Independent Studies. The award of Distinction requires the maintenance of this grade point average through graduation.
- Biology 495: Scientific Arguments: Writing an Undergraduate Thesis: Biology 495 is required for all students pursuing Distinction, so sophomores and juniors should plan accordingly; one section will be offered each fall and two sections will be taught each spring. The course carries a writing intensive (W) curricular code. If enrollment is not feasible, the student should contact the DUS to discuss.
- Completion of an original research project:
- The primary disciplinary focus and research question should be in the biological sciences, even in the case of interdisciplinary research.
- The research is often carried out as an independent study in biology (e.g. BIOLOGY 293/493), in an appropriate biological science department at Duke University, or as an interdisciplinary study that includes biology as a focus. However, the Distinction project may be completed without formal enrollment in independent study.
- Projects that are related to biology, but are not primarily focused on answering biological questions, may be eligible as the basis of a thesis written for Graduation with Distinction Outside the Major.
- Completion of a thesis and oral poster presentation:
- The thesis should be written after a body of data is already collected and analyzed
- The audience for the thesis and poster is a broad biological audience, regardless of sub-discipline
- Drafts of the thesis should follow all guidelines, policies, and due dates
Eligibility for candidacy is determined by application that includes a student-written abstract of the project proposal. Distinction will be awarded by a 3-person faculty committee based on an oral poster presentation and the written thesis; the committee is comprised of the students’ Research Supervisor (ie. the lab PI, this must be a Duke Faculty member), an assigned Faculty Reader from the biology department, and the DUS in Biology. The thesis and poster should present a significant achievement in research and demonstrate a clear mastery of the research field.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Should I take Biology 495 in the fall or spring?
If you have all or most of your data collected by fall, it is preferable for you to take the course in the fall as the class size is typically smaller and students have more personalized attention. However, if you are still collecting significant amounts of data and don’t expect that you will have results during the fall semester, it may be better to enroll in the spring.
Does my thesis need to be written about new data collected?
No, you just need a body of data that is already collected and analyzed. For example, if you have been in your lab two semesters and have a body of work, write about that! You can continue doing research and collecting more data, but your thesis can focus on your first two semesters of research.
- If you are planning to take Bio 495 in the fall, then you should be done collecting almost all your data for your thesis by the end of the summer.
- If you are planning to take Bio 495 in the spring, then you should be done collecting almost all your data for your thesis by the end of the fall semester.
- Note: you can complete a thesis even if you have negative or inconclusive data; feel free to contact Biology Faculty Member Dr. Julie Reynolds if you have questions or are unsure.
Do I have to be enrolled in an independent study the semester I am doing Graduation with Distinction?
No, this is not a requirement since we expect most of your data to be collected and analyzed already. If you are not active in the lab the semester you write your thesis, you will still need your research supervisor to be involved in your writing project. Of course you are welcome to continue to conduct research while you are writing your thesis, but do not plan to include those data in your thesis.
How can I prepare as a sophomore or junior?
We’ll send information for fall and spring distinction through our majors email lists. For now, all you need to do is to keep working in your lab, collecting data, and working with your research supervisor to analyze it. And if you want to see what you might be doing in the future, come check out our poster session at the end of each semester.