Senior Capstone Experience Guidelines
Department of Chemistry
Washington College
Academic Year 2012-2013
These guidelines were updated by Anne Marteel-Parrish, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Chemistry and Chair during the Summer 2012. Please forward suggestions to her attention at .
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ii
General Overview of the Senior Capstone Experience in Chemistry 1
Step-by-step Guidelines for Senior Capstone Experience in Chemistry 3
Important Deadlines 6
Instructions and Format for Senior Thesis 7
General Information 7
Washington College Honor Code 7
Use of scientific vocabulary 7
Figures 7
Tables 8
Equations 9
Citations and References 9
Pagination 10
Margins 11
Specific Thesis Sections 11
Title Page 11
Signature Page 11
Acknowledgments 11
Abstract 11
Table of Contents 12
Introduction 12
For laboratory-based research projects experimental 12
For laboratory-based research projects results and discussion 15
For laboratory-based research projects conclusions 15
For in-depth literature reviews experimental, results and discussion, and conclusions 15
References 15
Appendices 15
References 16
Rubric for Senior Capstone Experience 17
Poster Presentation and Rubric 18
Oral Defense for Departmental Honors 21
Appendices 22
Senior Capstone Experience Declaration Form 23
Senior Capstone Experience Preference Form 24
Sample Title 25
Sample Honor Code Pledge and Signatures for Honors 26
Sample Honor Code Pledge and Signatures for Non-Honors 27
Sample Acknowledgments 28
Sample Table of Contents 29
6
General Overview of the Senior Capstone Experience in Chemistry
In collaboration with a chemistry faculty member, chemistry majors fulfill the senior capstone experience by conducting a yearlong research project. Senior capstone projects may take one of two forms: a laboratory-based research project (original research) or an in-depth literature review (library investigation).
Students pursuing the ACS-certified degree in Chemistry must perform a laboratory-based research project and write a thesis on the work for their Senior Capstone Experience (SCE) to meet the number of laboratory hours required by the ACS. This requirement could be waived if ACS-certified majors have alreadyperformed research for credit during the academic year or during the summer.
Students who are not pursuing the ACS-certified track in Chemistry have the choice to complete either one of the two options. Once an advisor, type of SCE and topic has been identified, no change is allowed after the Senior Capstone Experience Declaration Form is signed (see page 23 of this document in Appendices section).
Laboratory-based research projects and in-depth literature reviews are based on faculty members’ own research interests. In the case of the in-depth literature reviews, if students have identified on their own a topic that they would like to develop for their SCE, this will be acceptable as long as the topic fits in the area of expertise of a Chemistry faculty member and that the load of SCE advisees of the chosen faculty member is not exceeded.
Both types of SCE projects are intended to integrate many of the subjects learned over the course of the chemistry major. Laboratory-based research projects involve synthetic and preparative procedures and make use of the department’s research-grade analytical instrumentation. In-depth literature reviews focus on the critical analysis of the literature in a specific area of chemistry.
The results of the laboratory-based research or in-depth literature review are presented in a poster session held at the end of the Spring semester of the senior year and are included in a written, thesis-quality report. Guidelines for Chemistry Department poster presentations are available on page 18 of this document.
The senior capstone experience in Chemistry is graded according to the Washington College grading system, which involves the use of letter grades (A-F) that may be modified by a minus or a plus. Meeting the departmental and college deadlines is a part of the grading process. A rubric for the senior capstone experience in chemistry is available on page 17 of this document. Student capstone experiences receiving a grade of A- or above receive honors on the SCE.
To be eligible for departmental honors, students must
· have a GPA of 3.4 or higher in their chemistry courses
· receive a grade of A- or higher on the senior capstone experience
· pass a departmental oral examination based on the thesis.
If a student wishes to be considered for departmental honors, he/she must notify the Department Chair by April 15 in order for the examination to be scheduled. The exam usually occurs on one of the days set aside for senior comprehensive exams. In this case, a completed thesis is due to all members of the department one full week before the scheduled oral exam.
If a student has a double major, he/she should discuss the various options for fulfilling the senior obligation with the chairs of the appropriate departments. Double majors pursuing the ACS-certified degree in Chemistry must perform a laboratory-based research project for their Senior Capstone Experience to meet the number of laboratory hours required by the ACS. This requirement could be waived if ACS-certified majors have alreadyperformed research for credit during the academic year or during the summer. Timelines and guidelines for both departments must be met. For many double majors, especially if the double major is in the sciences, a single thesis can be written.
Step-by-step Guidelines for Senior Capstone Experience in Chemistry
Step 1: Meeting with each Chemistry Department member
In the first two weeks of the semester, students will meet with all Chemistry Department faculty members to discuss options. Each senior is responsible for arranging a meeting with each faculty member in the Chemistry Department and must have each faculty member sign the Senior Capstone Experience Declaration Form (see page 23 of this document in Appendices section).
Step 2: Selection of topic and advisor
After meeting with each faculty member, students will be able to identify a project type and topic as well as advisor. Students need to rank their preferences (1 through 3) including the type of project (laboratory-based or literature review), the general topic, and the advisor’s name. The Senior Capstone Experience Preference Form needs to be completed and given to the Chair of the Chemistry Department by the second Friday of the Fall semester (see page 24 of this document). The Chemistry Department faculty members will meet during the third week of the semester to figure out how to accommodate students’ first or second choice, if possible. The Chair will communicate the final selection to all students shortly after.
Step 3: The starting point
For both laboratory-based research projects and in-depth literature reviews, after having selected an advisor and a topic, each senior should start by doing some general background reading about the topic.
Background reading can be found in Chapters of your Chemistry textbooks in courses taken at Washington College that are relevant to the chosen topic, references annotated at the ends of the chapters which are more in-depth texts or scientific journal articles published on the chosen topic. If there are no such references, the next step should be to look for more advanced texts and articles using the library catalog and databases. Notes from Junior Chemistry Seminar about how to search the literature should be reviewed. Materials not available through the Miller Library can be ordered using interlibrary loan. You also need to make sure to keep a running bibliography of your references as you go along, preferably with RefWorks or other program.
Review articles are a perfect place to start (if they are written for your topic)! These articles provide a summary of the general state of knowledge on the topic (at the time the review was written) and also provide references to relevant primary peer-reviewed articles. Students should not hesitate to seek assistance from Miller library staff regarding literature searches. Students are also encouraged to consult faculty members or professionals outside the department to complement their existing knowledge.
Each student should print all relevant references and organize them in a binder or upload them on Blackboard depending on their advisor’s preference. It is preferable that all references are peer-reviewed scientific articles saved using the PDF format. There is no limit on the number of references but a minimum of 15 primary, peer-reviewed journal articles is required.
It is highly recommended that after reading a paper or book chapter or other reference, students summarize the objectives and results of each article in their own words. This summary should not be a word-for-word copy of the abstract of the paper and should not be longer than half a page. This task will be extremely helpful for the following reasons:
· students realize how much of the article they understood
· it is the first step towards organizing and writing the introduction of the thesis
· it is easier to organize a power point presentation looking at summaries of articles
· in many cases it prevents plagiarism if students use their own words.
The binder should contain the student’s name and topic, all relevant references and accompanied summaries if written. It should be presented to the advisor no later than October 15. It is assumed that additional references will be added to this binder as the project progresses.
Step 4: Working on the thesis
A complete draft of the introduction is due on November 15 for both types of SCE. The introduction to thesis is also the basis for a Power Point presentation in the Senior Chemistry Seminar in the Fall. Students should consult their research advisor, the timeline given on page 6 and the syllabus for senior seminar details and deadlines. In senior seminar students will receive guidelines and will practice their introduction to SCE presentation. Instructions and the format for senior theses are provided starting on page 7 of this document. A rubric for grading the senior capstone experience can be found on page 17.
For students working on a laboratory-based research project, advisors are responsible for assigning research space and for providing laboratory schedules for research. Laboratory work can start as soon as possible. In either type of SCE, it is the responsibility of both students and research advisors to follow the timeline below.
By the last day of the Fall semester an interim report is due to the research advisor. This report should include a complete draft of what has been accomplished so far.
Students are encouraged to look at senior theses on file (available on the Miller Library website). This should provide an idea of what is expected and the types of topics appropriate for a senior thesis.
Step 5 and final step: SCE poster presentation
The complete thesis draft is due on April 1. All revisions must be made before April 15. By the last day of the semester final and approved thesis must be submitted to the research advisor and Miller Library through Blackboard. On the last day of classes, which is also the last Thursday of Junior Chemistry Seminar, all seniors will present the results of their senior capstone experience in a poster format. The poster presentation guidelines and rubric are provided on page 18 of this document. Oral defense guidelines for Departmental Honors are found on page 21 of this document.
Important Deadlines
AY 2012-2013
First two weeks of the Fall Semester / Meet with each Chemistry faculty member.Second Friday of the Fall Semester
By third week of Fall Semester / Give SCE preference form to the Chair.
Research advisor and topic selected.
September/October of senior year / Start literature research.
October 1 / Begin laboratory research.
October 15 / Introduction/literature review due to research advisor.
November 15 / Submit complete draft of introduction and references to advisor.
Last day of classes, Fall semester / Submit interim report to research advisor.
February 1 / Submit second draft of introduction and references to advisor.
April 1 / Submit complete thesis draft to advisor.
April 15 / Submit revised thesis draft to advisor.
April 15 / Notify Department Chair of desire to be considered for Departmental Honors.
Last day of classes / Submit final, approved thesis to advisor and Miller Library. The submission to the library is through Blackboard.
College reading days / Oral defense of thesis for Departmental honors candidates.
It is a Washington College academic policy that all work on the senior CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE (including the final thesis report) must be completed by the last day of classes in the last semester of the senior year. Failure to abide by the policies of the Department and the College will prevent a student from graduating at the end of the senior year.
Instructions and Format for Senior Thesis
Senior Capstone Experiences are divided into two categories: those based on original laboratory research; and those based upon an in-depth literature review. Both types will follow the same general format but there will be some specific differences (see below).
General Information
The report should be constructed in Microsoft Word, and the font in the body of the text should be 12-point Times New Roman. The body of the text (except the abstract) should be double-spaced.
A sample title page is provided on page 25 in the Appendices section.
Washington College Honor Code
Students are required to write the Washington College Honor Code statement, with their signature, on their senior thesis, verifying that they have completed the assignment in accordance with the Honor Code (see samples provided on pages 26 and 27 of this document).
Plagiarism is not acceptable under any circumstances and will be cause for failure. Each professor has the right to submit all drafts, interim report and final version of your thesis to Turnitin.com.
Use of scientific vocabulary
Often students are so conscious about avoiding plagiarism that they are reluctant to use the commonly published scientific words to describe a procedure or process. There is not always a synonym for a scientific topic or concept so using the correct terms is absolutely necessary to the understanding of the science. If students do not know the meaning of a word, they must look it up!
Figures
Examples of figures are graphs, diagrams, chemical structural formulas, maps, and illustrations. All figures must be numbered consecutively, corresponding to the order in which they are introduced and discussed in the text. BELOW each figure should be a Figure number (in bold), followed by a period, and a brief descriptive caption (not in bold), also followed by a period. Axes on graphs should be labeled and have appropriate units of measurement. An example appears below in Figure 1.