Psychology Honours Thesis Information Session Presented by: Prof. Geoff Navara

Agenda Introductions What is an honours thesis? Why do an honours thesis? Admission requirements Application process Finding a potential supervisor Timeline

What is an honours thesis? Coursework vs. thesis option for the Honours degree It is more than just a ‘big paper’ The workload is high! (PSYC 4020D = approximately 20 hours per week for two semesters) Thesis requires the students to: Plan an empirical study Execute the day-to-day aspects of collecting/analyzing data Report the results via written, oral and presentations

PSYC 4010Y vs. 4020D PSYC 4010Y is only for those students doing a Joint Honours Thesis with Psychology and another program (one credit from Psychology, the other comes from the other program) If you are interested in PSYC 4010Y please see Trudy Kirschner in the Psychology Office

Why do an honours thesis? Good: If you are planning to go on to a graduate program in psychology (or many other social science based programs); Competitive edge in job market (demonstrates marketable skills); Are unsure of future goals (issue of limiting options); Networking with professors; Believe it or not, research can be fun, educational and stimulating; Please see my presentation on getting into grad school (available on the Psychology Department’s website)

Admission Requirements For getting into PSYC 4020D Completed PSYC 3015Y with minimum 75% required! At least 0.5 credit from each of the A2, B2, A3, and B3 categories Average of 75% in completed Psychology courses required Permission of Psychology Department Several faculty supervisors have specific requests as far as content courses, etc. required to work with them (see student handbook)

Application process You must apply to be in the Psychology Honours Thesis Program! Forms are available from the Psychology Office Do not fill-in both sides of the application (one or the other) Space restrictions Application deadline: Friday March11, 2011 by 4:00pm in the Psychology Office

Finding a potential faculty supervisor Your academic career begins in undergraduate studies, it is important to act professional and respectful to your colleagues and the professors (but you don’t need to ‘kiss butt’) Networking is an important skill (both in life and in getting into graduate programs) – start now Approach faculty whose research work interests you (see student handbook for faculty research interests)

Finding a potential faculty supervisor Identify which faculty members you are most interested in working with - as potential advisors we are particularly interested in ‘good fit’ personally and professionally (we are also making a considerable commitment when we take on honours students) Contact potential faculty to see if they are taking on new students this coming year – again, the student handbook is a good resource for you.

Finding a potential faculty supervisor If you have a faculty member willing to work with you, please complete, sign and have the faculty member sign the first page of the application form. If you do not have a faculty member lined up to supervise you, please complete and sign the second page of the application form. Please note: if you do not have a supervisor lined up to work with you, you may still be accepted into the program, but we cannot guarantee that you will work with any of your preferred choices. Also, you may be paired with a faculty member whose research interests and thesis work do not match with your personal interests

Timeline Application forms are available as of today (in this meeting or later from the Psychology Office) Application deadline: Friday March 11, 2011 by 4:00pm (in the Psychology Office) Depending on the information contained in your application you may receive a conditional offer by early April If you maintain your GPA and the stars align.. You will be notified late May