Fall Term: Topic Selection

• Friday, Oct. 15
  • Submit to Dwight Luhman a brief written (email is fine) report of your progress in selecting a topic. List 3 topics have you considered. [Even if you are heavily leaning toward one, identify and consider 2 others.] With whom have you talked about your ideas? If you have a preferred adviser(s) or dates, please indicate that as well.  Also indicate your preference for the 1A section or the 6A section.  If you are unable to participate in either the 1A or 6A section during winter or spring term please explain why (e.g. athletics during 6A or you are taking another cours during 1A)
• Thursday, Oct. 28
  • Submit to Dwight a one page proposal (hard copy or email attachment) which includes a specific statement of the topic you’ll be investigating, why it's interesting, which material from which courses will be involved, and resources you’ve identified. If you have a working hypothesis or a list of questions you hope to answer as you work, list them as well. This is your last chance to state a preference for an adviser, presentation date and/or enrollment section (1A or 6A).
• Tuesday, Nov 2
  • You will be notified by this time of your adviser's name, enrollment section and the date of your talk.
• By Wednesday, Nov. 17
  • Meet with your adviser to discuss your progress and to help plan your project.
  • This conference is important.

Winter and Spring Terms: Oral Presentations and Papers

Papers:

• (Presentation) -(3 weeks)
  • First version of paper to be emailed to Mary Drew in PDF form along with completed “first version checklist” from department web site.
• (Presentation) -(2 weeks)
  • Meet with primary and peer advisor to receive feedback on your first version.
• (Presentation) -(1 week)
  • Email introductory paper and general audience abstract to Mary Drew in PDF form.
• (Presentation) (January 25 – April 6)

• (Presentation) +(1 day)
  • Reaction papers to Dwight's mailbox
• (Presentation) +(3 days)
  • Conference with primary adviser to discuss oral presentation and your plan for going forward.
    
• (Presentation) +(2 weeks)
  • Second version of paper of your paper to be emailed to Mary Drew in PDF form. Include completed second version checklist.
• (Presentation) +(3 weeks)
  • Meet with primary and peer advisors to receive feedback on your second version.  Meet seperately  with your secondary advisor.
• (Presentation) +(5 weeks)
  • Final version of paper resubmitted to be submitted to Mary Drew in a single PDF file. This single PDF of your paper must contain all components of your work.  Name your file using the following pattern: username_YYYY [gradyear].PDF (e.g., dluhman_2011.pdf)  Mary will print this file on archival paper for binding.
• Before end of spring term
• • You will receive your final grade for comps.
• After receiving a passing grade
• • Digitally archive your comps at the library website.  Instructions for digitally archiving can be found on the Library's website;  it shouldn't take more than filling out a short form and sending the PDF to the appropriate person.

NOTE: Spring Break is not counted in the official comps schedule. If spring break falls in your comps schedule as shown above, check with your adviser for details and clarifications.

These deadlines are critical. Failure to meet any one of them can be disruptive of the entire process and may result in serious consequences.