Thesis/Capstone Courses - BIOL4905, 4907, 4908

Thesis/Capstone Courses – BIOL4905, 4907, and 4908

What are Thesis/Capstone courses, and how do these courses differ from a regular course?

On graduating with a B.Sc. Honour designation, you are expected to be a critical thinker (quantitatively, analytically, and in argument) and to be an effective oral and written science communicator. Thesis/Capstone courses (BIOL4905, 4907, and 4908) are the ‘final assignment’, designed to prepare you for the B.Sc. Honours degree.

Thesis/Capstone courses are two-term courses (Fall & Winter, or Summer I and II). As an Honours Biology student, you can register and complete only one of these capstone courses. Independent to which capstone course you choose, you should plan on average 10 hrs/week towards your capstone course. But which capstone course is right for you?

BIOL4905 Honours Workshop

BIOL4905 Honours Workshop is one of three capstone courses offered by the Biology Dept. BIOL4905 teaches critical thinking and effective oral and written communication skills through a series of class-based (i.e. Instructor-led) weekly, biweekly, and/or term-based assignments. These assignments explore the core elements of scientific writing, peer-review critiques, experimental design and statistics, oral/visual presentations, and media releases. Some assignments are specifically skill-based; other assignments allow you to apply these skills to biological topics of your choosing.
Honours students should consider enrolling in this BIOL4905 Honours Workshop if you wish to focus on the process (thus more cross-disciplinary applicable) as compared to the topic. However, if you wish to focus singularly within a biological topic and gain transferrable hands-on literature-searching, field, or bench skills (important for Graduate school) then you should consider BIOL4907 or BIOL4908 instead.
Honours students who plan to take BIOL4905 need only to enroll through the normal university Registration Process – no further application forms are necessary.

BIOL4907 Honours Project

BIOL4907 Honours Project is a second capstone course offered by the Biology Dept. This BIOL4907 course approaches critical thinking and effective oral and written communication skills through an independent one-on-one (supervised by a faculty mentor) critical review and research proposal, using mostly library resources or pre-existing data.
Honours students should consider enrolling in this BIOL4907 Honours Project course if you wish to focus within a singular biological topic but without the hands-on field/lab experience.
Honours students interested in this BIOL4907 capstone course must first reach an agreement with a potential Supervisor (see below) and then complete the Undergraduate Research Course for Credit – Registration Request Form.

BIOL4908 Honours Thesis

BIOL4908 Honours Thesis is a third capstone course offered by the Biology Dept. This BIOL4908 course approaches critical thinking and effective oral and written communication skills through independent one-on-one (supervised by a faculty mentor) research undertaken in the field and/or the laboratory.
Students aiming for Graduate School should consider taking this capstone course as BIOL4908 embraces the research process from developing the research question, to planning the experimental design, collecting and analyzing data, writing a final paper, and presenting research findings.
Honours students interested in this BIOL4908 capstone course must first reach an agreement with a potential Supervisor (see below) and then complete the Undergraduate Research Course for Credit – Registration Request Form.

Finding a Supervisor (BIOL 4907/08)

To find a Supervisor for your BIOL 4907 or 4908 you need to start early (Supervisors are not required for BIOL 4905):

Step 1 – Do your own research. Find out Who can Supervise – check the availability! Explore their profiles, read about their field of research, and see if you will find a Match!

Any Faculty member from the Department of Biology may supervise an Honours Biology student enrolled in BIOL4907 or 4908.
All Adjunct Professors may supervise an Honours Biology student enrolled in BIOL4907 or 4908. Co-Supervision by a Biology Faculty is additionally required (discussed between you and your Supervisor).
Students may also approach external Faculty (non-Biology) or professionals outside Carleton, as a thesis supervisor, dependent on Departmental approval. Co-Supervision by a Biology Faculty is additionally required (discussed between you and your Supervisor).

Step 2 – not mandatory but will be super helpful!

Reach out by sending an email to connect with the Faculty members or Adjunct Professors you are interested to work with. They are always willing to meet new students and to support your academia growth!

Step 3 – Fill out Application for a 4th Year Honours Academic Supervisor Form by January 31st.

Your 3 preferred Supervisors will be informed and you will hear back from us with regard to the result of Thesis supervision match.
If the match was unsuccessfully, we will provide you with the names of other Professors who still have space left for Thesis students, and you may choose to work with one of them or take BIOL 4905 as an alternative.

Step 4 – Fill out Undergraduate Research Course for Credit – Registration Request Form

Once you are notified that you are matched successfully with one of the three preferred Supervisors, you will fill out the Undergraduate Research Course for Credit – Registration Request Form and send it to Biology@carleton.ca to be officially registered in your Thesis.

Good to keep in mind – start early!

We strongly recommend that you research Biology Faculty and Adjunct Professor profiles from the above list to identify potential Supervisors that similarly match your interests.
Reach out to your favourite/top-3 potential Supervisors. Introduce yourself, have an open and frank discussion about the possibility of you working under their Supervision for a BIOL 4907/08. Identify what courses you should take to help you with the BIOL 4907/08, whether summer field work will be required, in short – overall expectations. Potential Supervisors may request a copy of your transcript (unofficial copy).
Supervisory acceptance depends on several factors including availability (e.g., maternity/ paternity leaves, sabbatical), congruency between you and your Supervisor’s research interests, and for BIOL 4908 physical space availability, day-to-day oversight, and availability of necessary resources/specimens.
If a Supervisor agrees to supervise you for the BIOL 4907/08 then you need to complete and submit a Project Proposal Form.

If you are unable to find a Supervisor:

Expand your list from your top-3 potential Supervisors to include a top-10 (or more). Reach out to these potential Supervisors as well.
Consider enrolling in BIOL4905 instead.

How do I make a scientific poster?

A poster can be a great tool at a conference for drawing people into conversation and give the audience a visual representation of your work. It is important to have a well put together poster that is easy to read and can be eye catching. See the following link to view the dos and don’ts on making a scientific poster; do’s and don’ts of making a poster

Helpful Information and Tips:

Fall Term, Third Year

By the end of the Fall term (of your 3rd year) you should have met with potential supervisors for your 4th year Honours Thesis (see below).

Starting this early gives you three advantages

Provides you an opportunity to discuss with your potential supervisor whether you should take BIOL 4901 during the Winter term (of your 3rd year). BIOL 4901 is an excellent opportunity to obtain a background literature review of your intended thesis topic – before you actually start your thesis. Similarly, BIOL 4901 could be used to train you in specific skill sets necessary for your thesis, or it can be used to develop a detailed research proposal. If your thesis involves summer field work then BIOL 4901 could be used as well to develop a summer research proposal.
Provides you an opportunity to apply for a NSERC Summer Research Fellowship under your potential supervisor. Nothing like being paid to do research! Applications are due in January, hence the need to discuss with your potential supervisor.
Provides you the opportunity to pick and choose who you would like to work with – and to choose a research project that interests you most. Delaying the process until Fall of your 4th year limits your opportunities significantly.

Winter Term, Third Year

By the end of the Winter term of your 3rd year, you should have:

Completed thesis arrangements with your supervisor (e.g., commitments, a description of summer work if required, work agenda for Fall and Winter of your 4th year), and
Submitted the completed Undergraduate Project Proposal Form to the Undergraduate Administrator for Biology to request for registration.

Note: The Department will use students’ MyCarleton (Connect) e-mail addresses for all official communication regarding BIOL. 4907/BIOL. 4908. It is the student’s responsibility to monitor this e-mail account regularly.

Summer between Third and Fourth Year

Depending on the nature of your thesis project, some students may conduct summer research in the field between their 3rd and 4th years. Note that this option is not compatible with having a full-time summer job! It is unrealistic to think that after a day of work you will have the energy to devote to laboratory or field research.

Honours research is time consuming. You should expect to spend more than the typical eight hours per week that you would devote to each of your other courses. You will work out an appropriate schedule for the laboratory or field work with your supervisor.

Fall Term Fourth Year

For students entering their 4th year who plan to conduct their thesis through the current academic year, and have not yet identified a supervisor to work with, you must do so and submit the Undergraduate Project Proposal Form by mid-September – the last day to drop & add for Fall or Fall/Winter courses.

Winter Term Fourth Year

January: Progress Meeting (early in the term).
Summarize your progress towards key objectives. Discuss with supervisor to make sure you are on track to successfully complete your studies.

April: Research Day (Early April).
You will make, present, and defend a poster to two faculty members during an open house event. The two faculty members will evaluate your poster, contributing 10% each to your final grade. Guidelines to making an effective poster, the Do’s & Don’ts is available.

April: Final Paper (Second week of April).
Your final paper should be written in the form of a scientific paper. Consult with your supervisor as to the exact requirements. Your Final Paper is worth 80% of your final grade. The 80% includes an evaluation of all work performance in the lab and/or field, and the Thesis Writing itself . The weighting of marks towards the lab/field work versus the paper is up to the discretion of your supervisor.

Note: Students who show initiative and creativity and who conduct themselves like professionals are generally rewarded with better grades. It is your responsibility to meet often with your supervisor to be sure you understand what is expected of you.

Note: Students who are in joint programs are governed by the deadlines and requirements of their supervisor’s home department.

Further Questions

Please contact the Biology Department

Office: 209 NB
Tel: (613) 520 – 2600 Ext. 2478
Email: Biology@carleton.ca

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Thesis/Capstone Courses – BIOL4905, 4907, 4908

How do I make a scientific poster?

Helpful Information and Tips:

Further Questions