This decision is between you and your advisor.  Although the course is typically taken during the senior year it can be satisfied any time. Some projects may not be possible if you start too late; you may have to start in the spring semester of your junior year. This is especially true for projects involving field work. If you have identified a professor with whom you would like to work, it is never too soon to talk with them, even if your research work is a year (or more) away.

For honors projects you should begin EARLY in the junior year. You will need to register for Geology 499 in spring semester of your junior year. Final proposals must be in to the Honors College by April 1.

As with most things here, the actual timing and procedure for the research depends on your faculty advisor. Advisors will vary widely in their expectations, depending on the nature of the research. Some projects may be fairly wide open, while others will require more planning. As you get started, you should have written down a description of the research, the expectations of the research, any dates or deadlines for completing various parts of the research, and how it is expected you will present your results. Have your advisor approve this to be sure you are both on the same page. Note that Honors Project research has its own procedures and deadlines.

Research involves data collection, analysis, synthesis and communication. Depending on the research question being addressed, your research design may involve field work, the use laboratory analytical equipment, and/or computer programs. There are a number of ways to explore for a research topic: 

• In each of your classes think about the things you are learning and if you would like to learn more about the subject. If there is something you really like, ask the professor if they can help you turn it into a research project. 

• Browse the faculty pages and talk with faculty about research projects they are working on. Ask them what aspects of the project might be available for student research. Sometimes you and the professor can devise a unique study that is both valuable and interesting. 

• Go to the library’s starting page for geology and environmental science. Use the resources there to see the kind of research currently being published and see if something sparks your interest. 

If you find a subject you like in one of your classes, talk to the professor teaching that class, express your interest in the subject, and explore the kinds of research that could be done and the kinds of preparation you should begin. Or, just go interview some or all the faculty to find out what they do, and the kinds of research projects they have available. See the Projects FAQ for some more information.

The Student Research Symposium is a mini-scientific meeting organized and run like those held by all scientific societies. Each person presents the results of their research during a 15 minute time interval, followed by a question and answer period. You will be required to turn in an Abstract of the results of your research several weeks before the symposium.

Yes. Every person must present the results of their research at the Student Research Symposium held during the spring semester. It does not matter what the nature of your research is, you must give a presentation. No faculty member will assign a grade for the research credits until the presentation is complete. This may mean that you will carry an incomplete until the symposium is over.

What should you do if you are planning to graduate in December? There are two choices:

1. Finish your research and present the results during the spring semester prior to your graduation.
2. Finish your research in the fall semester, and then return to give your presentation the next spring. In this case you will carry an Incomplete for the research credits until that time.

One excellent way to prepare is to attend the Symposiums in years prior to the year you will be giving yours. Watching and learning from others and becoming familiar with the rituals of scientific meetings is excellent preparation. You can also go to Presentation Preparation (coming soon!) to get information and guidance you need to prepare.