Completing and Submitting Your Thesis

In this section we will walk you through the process of completing your thesis, getting it approved, printing the thesis, and turning it in to be bound.  You must be cognizant of  the procedures and the deadlines for each semester.  If you are going to use your Honors Thesis to fulfill the Senior Thesis requirement you must use the Honors Thesis deadlines. To begin the process please print the following files that you will need for the approval process.

PAST1a.pdf - Thesis Approval Form

PAST1b.pdf - Advisor Grade Form

Deadlines

You must complete each step in the approval and final submission process before the deadlines below to guarantee graduation on the date at the top of the column.

A Step-by-Step Walk to Turn in Your Senior Thesis

This is always a work in progress and can change from time to time.

Step 1) Complete research and be writing your thesis.  You should be doing as much of this as you go along as possible. Don't wait until the day before the final draft is due to start writing.  The thesis should have gone through many revisions before we reach the final draft that goes to the Research Coordinator.

Step 2) Once you are confident in the quality of your thesis (a fairly complete draft has gone through your adviser a couple times) then give a complete draft to your adviser and the research coordinator (email a PDF file).  This gives the research coordinator time to check formatting and other concerns.  I really do prefer if the early pages of the thesis all face forward, particularly the signature page.

Step 3) You will have a few changes from your advisor and the research coordinator at this point.  Make those changes and get approval from your adviser and the research coordinator to print your final copies. 

Step 4) Now you will need to print your final copies of the thesis on the appropriate paper.  This is 24 lb, pure white laser paper (talk to Diann if you are unsure of which paper to use).  You should print one copy for the department, one for your advisor if they desire a copy, and as many personal copies as you would like.  There will be a binding charge of $15.00 per personal copy of the thesis for hard bound theses. There will also be a charge for thesis copies made on Department paper, printers and copiers.  You will only be charged for paper used in personal copies.

Step 5) Take the the final copies, Form PAST 1a, and Form PAST 1b to your adviser.  Have them sign the first line of each thesis and the appropriate place on Form PAST 1a.  Leave Form PAST 1b with your adviser.

Step 6) Take the final copies (each in a separate envelope), Form 1a, a filled out grade change form (I have them in my office), and a PDF formatted electronic copy of your thesis to the research coordinator for their signature.  If you have any binding or copy charges please see Diann Sorensen (N281 ESC) to pay for these.  The check should be made out to BYU Department of Physics and Astronomy.

Step 7) At this point you are done.  Before you turn it in make sure you have provided a mailing address on Form 1a so that we can mail your bound thesis to you.  Make sure this is an address that will be valid after you graduate.