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Department: CHEM

Course No.: 297W

Title: Thesis for Undergraduate Chemistry

Credits: 3

Contact: Robert Bohn

WQ: W

Catalog Copy: CHEM 297W Thesis ofr Undergraduate Chemistry Majors Either semester Three credits. Houts by arrangement. Prerequisite: A minimum of three credits in CHEM 296 or 299; ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. Open only with consent of instructor. A formal thesis is required, based on original investigation carried on by the student.

W Criteria: -Chem 297W is our course for majors to write a serious thesis, 15 pp minimum, on original research they have carried out in previous semesters of Chem 296 or Chem 299. It is required of all Honors majors and is optional for non-honors majors. Chem 297W gives our students an opportunity to write a significant scientific paper on their own research which must be readable by both professionals and lay readers. The writing component contributes 50% of the course grade. The course has two mentors, the student's research mentor, and a faculty reader appointed by the Undergraduate Committee who read the thesis outline, a first draft, and a second draft at 4-week intervals and return each stage to the student for revisions. The course grade is determined by equally weighted grades of the research mentor and the designated reader whose focus is on writing, clarity, and coherence of the thesis. The course cannot be passed without passing the W component.