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Senior Year for a Geology Major

Senior Year Timeline:

  • SEPTEMBER: Early September of your senior year all majors will submit a form to either provide information about your proposed capstone project, or apply to do an honors project.  
  • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER: By the end of fall term, you will have met with your capstone advisor or honors committee to go over your project and make sure that you are on track.  You are also encouraged to sign up for the spring Capstones Research Methods course (appropriate for both Capstone and Honors students).
  • MARCH: You will submit a completed draft of your talk (and thesis for honors students) before Spring Break.
  • APRIL: All majors are required to participate in the Geology Senior Night event in April of their senior year.  Each student gives a 10–12-minute talk, followed by a few minutes of audience questions, to department faculty, staff, and any friends or family they choose to invite. 

Capstone vs Honors

Senior Geology Majors choose between two paths in their senior year:
A) Completing a Capstone Talk, or
B) Meeting the college’s Capstone requirement through completion of an Honors Thesis.
Both paths result in the same degree, and students are encouraged to follow the path that best suits their interests, goals, and skills.

CAPSTONEBOTHHONORS
No application requiredPrepare you for employment and/or graduate school in the fieldApplication and department approval required (approval revoked if deadlines missed)
May use research/projects from any time during your four years, including in-class projects or Study Away research experiences Allow you to apply your knowledge and demonstrate your skills in relation to a question of geological significancePlanning begins junior year; research typically starts before start of senior year
Independent research optional;
may be independent research- or literature-based 		Fulfill Macalester’s capstone requirement for graduationIndependent research required
Flexible timing; smaller time commitment (one or two semesters)Should participate in Capstones Research Methods courseSignificant time commitment; minimum of one full year (one or two semester-long Honors Independent Study required)
No formal written component requiredRequired formal written thesis that contributes meaningfully to the field
Required oral presentation at Geology Senior NightRequired oral presentation at Geology Senior Night and oral thesis defense with Honors Committee
Broad range of topics; tailored to student interestsThesis topic must align with department faculty research area or, in rare cases, be guided by an approved external mentor