UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES | Major
Senior Thesis
The capstone of an MIT Political Science major is the senior thesis – a project where students demonstrate their ability to conduct original research and write a high-quality work on a topic of their own choosing.
Theses are sometimes based on previous work, such as class papers or field projects; many students develop their own topic in consultation with faculty and graduate assistants. Finished theses are often used in applications to graduate schools and as the basis for future research, and some students have also successfully published portions of their work.
Preparation and assistance are provided in a three-class sequence that typically begins during the junior year: 17.869 (Political Science Scope and Methods), 17.871 (Political Science Laboratory), and 17.THT (Thesis Research Design Seminar). During the spring semester of the senior year, students complete the thesis in 17.THU, under supervision of their faculty thesis advisor.
For thesis specifications visit the MIT Libraries Thesis Specifications website.
Important Thesis Dates and Deadlines for Spring 2013
Friday, February 15, 2013
First meeting to discuss your progress. Between now and spring break you will be turning in chapters/pieces of your thesis to your thesis advisor, receiving comments back and making changes based on comments.
For this meeting bring an outline with your plan for completing your thesis with dates. A copy of this outline is due to your thesis advisor and to Tobie.
Friday, March 1
All thesis supervisor and second reader forms must be signed and turned into the Undergraduate Office by Friday, March 1.
Continue to turn in chapters/pieces of your thesis to your thesis advisor for comments.
Friday, March 15
Most of your work (over half) should have been turned in to your thesis advisor by this date. You should have received comments from your advisor and you are revising these parts of your thesis.
Week of April 1-5
First draft of your thesis due to thesis advisor and second reader for comments.
Friday, April 19
Second meeting to discuss your progress.
Friday, April 26
Final draft of your thesis due to your thesis advisor and second reader. At this time you will make changes on your thesis based on comments from your thesis advisor and second reader.
Between April 26 and May 10 - Defense of thesis
You will schedule a presentation to present your findings to the members of the department. You will receive final comments on your thesis from your thesis advisor and second reader. After a discussion with your thesis advisor, you will want to make some changes based on comments from other people at the presentation.
Friday, May 10
This is the official Institute deadline for theses other than doctoral (our deadline is later).
Thursday, May 16
Graduation Champagne Party
**Friday, May 24**
This is our (Political Science Department) final deadline for turning in your thesis to your advisor and the Undergraduate Office.
If you miss this deadline you will not be cleared for graduation in June.
Final, perfect, signed (by your thesis advisor and second reader) thesis is due in undergraduate office E53-484. You will turn in at least one copy of your thesis (on MIT archival bond – or thesis paper) to Tobie and another copy (this one doesn’t have to be on thesis paper) to your thesis advisor.
UNDERGRADUATE QUICKLINKS
FOR INFORMATION
Tobie Weiner
Undergraduate Administrator
617-253-3649
iguanatw@mit.edu
Scott Schnyer
Undergraduate Administrator's Assistant
617-258-5883
sschnyer@mit.edu
Undergraduate Office
E53-484
directions
