Capstone Experience

Biology majors complete a Capstone Experience in their senior year that usually involves a research-intensive experience. Planning for the Capstone Experience begins in the junior year. Current juniors will receive an email from the department chair with a link to a Capstone Planning Google form, which should be completed online. A capstone presentation will take place at 11am on January 12th, location TBD. This presentation will be recorded via this Zoom link for those unable to attend.

Erica Gagne ’15 did a thesis with Dr. Brett Huggett examining the effect of the Hemlock woolly adelgid on starch and sugar distribution in the Eastern Hemlock.

Erica Gagne ’15 did a thesis with Dr. Brett Huggett examining the effect of the Hemlock woolly adelgid on starch and sugar distribution in the Eastern Hemlock.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capstone Experience Planning – Class of 2023  

Over the course of your entire senior year, you’ll take a senior seminar, integrated with the departmental seminar series, that will count for 0.5 credits total.
 
In addition, you’ll take a one-semester, research-based capstone drawn from the following courses:
 
BIO 457. Senior Thesis.
BIO 458. Senior Thesis.
BIO 472. Seminar and Research in Physiology/Lab.
BIO 473. Seminar and Research in Cell Biology.
BIO 476. Seminar and Research in Evolutionary Biology.
BIO 477. Seminar and Research in Microbiology/Lab.

Students may request permission to conduct a two-semester thesis, at the discretion of the thesis advisor and the department; this option is most appropriate for students considering graduate school and a career in research. A second semester of thesis can count toward the thirty-two credits required for graduation, but only one of the two thesis semesters count toward the major.

In the Winter term of the junior year, each student is required to submit a plan (Capstone Planning Form) to inform their advisor as to how they will fulfill their capstone requirement. Early planning for the capstone is strongly encouraged, particularly if it will involve off-campus programs such as those mentioned above. The student should discuss her/his capstone plan with their adviser as early as possible in the junior year. If the plan includes a thesis, students should, in consultation with faculty, prepare a brief description of the proposed project; this does not replace the formal thesis proposal requirement at start of thesis enrollment. Students should discuss possible projects with two different advisors/mentors – although every effort will be made to match each student with their first choice, this cannot not be guaranteed.

DEADLINE FOR CAPSTONE PLANNING FORM SUBMISSION CLASS OF 2023

 [Capstone Planning Form] (Google form)

This form must be completed by Friday, January 21, 2022, at 2:00pm
The online Google form will automatically be saved to the Biology Department’s Google drive.

Students will be notified about their options.

Students pursuing Biological Chemistry or Interdisciplinary Majors in Neuroscience, Environmental Studies, or other areas involving Biology are encouraged, but not required, to attend biology seminars.