In the Department of Psychology, thesis research involves collaborations between students and a faculty member, and sometimes a community partner as well. The thesis experience is a long-term process that begins in April of the junior year, continues during the summer before the senior year, and in most cases ends with the successful write-up and formal presentation of the thesis during the senior year.  The grade for thesis is based on cumulative performance at ALL stages of this process, not just the semester in which the student is registered for the thesis course.  To help insure a successful experience, we provide here a listing of important dates.

• Junior Year:

February:
Date: Usually on the second Friday in February
What: On this day you will be notified by email about an online form you must complete.  This form will tell the psychology faculty about your developing interests to help them think about thesis advising assignments. Details about the form and how to access the form will be provided in the email. Note: this form must be completed by all juniors whether you are on campus, or studying away from Bates.  If you think you may not have internet access and will not be able to fill out the online form in April then it is your responsibility to contact the chair sometime before the April due date to discuss this.

April:
Date: First Friday in April by 4:00 pm
What: The online form telling the department about your thesis interests must complete by this date/time.

May:
Date: Usually on or before the first Thursday in May
What: You will receive an email telling you who your thesis adviser will be.

• Senior Year:

September:
Date: The third week of the fall semester (i.e., the 2nd full week of classes); specific date to be determined by your seminar instructor, or by the departmental faculty if you are doing honors.
What: Fall or yearlong thesis proposal is due (details about how to submit the proposal will be sent by email)

October:
Date: Usually on or before October 1
What: For seniors doing a fall or yearlong project you will receive an email telling you the department’s decision regarding your thesis proposal.

November:
Date: Reach out to your seminar instructor and make an appointment to discuss your winter semester thesis plans.
What: For seniors doing a winter semester thesis, the proposal is due early in the winter semester on a date determined by your seminar instructor, but typically the third Thursday of the semester.

Date: Third Tuesday in November by 4:00 pm
What: Seniors doing a fall-semester thesis must email your preferred presentation format (poster or talk) to the AI by this date/time. In addition, any fall-semester thesis students who will not be available to present their work at the December session must notify the chair of this conflict to make alternative plans.

December:
Date: Monday of the last week of classes in December by noon
What: For seniors doing a fall semester thesis you must bring your poster to Post & Print to have this printed.  The department will cover the cost of the poster.

Date: Thursday of the last week of classes in December
What: For seniors doing a fall semester thesis you must present your work as a poster or talk.  The session typically runs from 4:45 until 7:00 pm and details will be sent  specific times by email. You must be available to present your work at this session. If you will not be available on this date/time then it is your responsibility to contact the chair about this by the third Tuesday in November.  Students doing a winter-semester or year-long project will present their thesis at Mt. David.

January:
Date:  Winter semester thesis proposals are due to your seminar instructor in the first few weeks of the seminar, typically the third Thursday of the semester.
What:  For seniors doing winter semester theses, thesis proposals are due.

Date: Usually towards the beginning of January (this date is set by organizers of the Mt. David Summit)
What: An email will be sent to the campus community about registration for the Mount David Summit.  If you are completing a winter-semester or yearlong project then you must present your work at the Mount David Summit. **To ensure that none of our students gets blocked out if the schedule fills up, be sure to register shortly after registration opens**

February:
Date: Usually in the middle of February (this date is set by organizers of the Mt. David Summit)
What: Registration for the Mount David Summit typically closes in mid February.  If you are completing a winter-semester or yearlong project then you must register for the Mount David Summit. Details about registration will be sent to the campus community via email.

March/April:

Date: March 1st by 4:00 pm
What: Seniors completing a winter-semester or yearlong project who will not be available to present their work at the Mt. David summit must contact the chair about this conflict to make alternative plans.

Date: Usually on the Tuesday of the penultimate week of winter-semester classes by noon (this date is set by organizers of the Mt. David Summit)
What: seniors doing a winter-semester or yearlong project who want to present a poster at Mt. David must bring your poster to Post & Print to have it printed by this date/time (see Summit website for details). The Dean of Faculty’s office will cover the cost of the poster.

Date: Usually on the Thursday of the penultimate week of winter-semester classes by noon (this date is set by organizers of the Mt. David Summit)
What: seniors doing a winter-semester or yearlong project who want to present a talk at the Summit must send their PowerPoint presentations to the Summit organizers by this date/time (see Summit website for details).

Date: Usually on the Friday of the penultimate week of winter-semester classes (this date is set by organizers of the Mt. David Summit)
What: The Mount David Summit is held.  Seniors completing a winter-semester or yearlong project must present their work at the Mount David Summit. If you will not be available on this date then it is your responsibility to contact the chair about this by March 1.