Overview
One of the requirements to obtain a B.S. in astrophysics at
Michigan State University is to pursue a senior thesis project
with a MSU faculty member on an astrophysics-related topic.
This is formalized by 4 credit hours in AST-410, typically
spread across the senior year. AST-410 also fulfills the
university's Tier-II writing requirement - as a result, the
written thesis needs to be of very high quality.
There are two options for a senior thesis: a literature
review option, and a research option. The default assumption
is that students will pursue a literature review, but
particularly motivated students may (after discussion with me)
decide to pursue the research option.
Goals of the senior thesis
- You shall work through a selection of refereed papers from the astronomical literature and demonstrate good
understanding of the context, motivation, and execution of the papers.
- You shall demonstrate an understanding of how the conclusions of the studies are supported by the
evidence provided.
- You shall demonstrate sufficient understanding of astronomy to be able to explain the studies to your
peers.
- You shall display competence in technical writing at a professional level and familiarity with
conventions regarding the communication of mathematical and graphical data.
Requirements
- Meet regularly with thesis advisor and provide progress reports; regularly participate in research
group meetings. Come prepared to participate actively in these meetings.
- Submit an outline, including an abstract and annotated bibliography, of the thesis by the end of
the first semester.
- Submit at least two drafts of the final thesis for feedback starting a month before the final
deadline.
- Give at least two short presentations on the thesis topic at research group meetings.
The final thesis should be 15–20 pages in length;
should be written in a professional style; and
should conform in language, mathematics, and graphics to the standards of The Astrophysical
Journal or The Physical Review.
Standards
- To receive a 3.0, you must...
- ...meet the above requirements; in addition your thesis
must, at a minimum, apply astrophysical concepts learned in
the undergraduate courses to explain the motivation and
execution of the selected paper(s).
- To receive a 3.5, you must...
- ...meet the above requirements; in addition your thesis
must survey the selected papers and not only apply concepts
to explain their motivation and execution, but also compare
the papers and differentiate their motivation, scope, and
findings.
- To receive a 4.0, you must...
- ...exceed the above requirements; your thesis must not
only differentiate the motivation, scope, and execution of
the selected papers, but also analyze them and critically
appraise their context and scientific merit.
Typical AST 410 timeline
The following 30 week timeline describes a typical fall (1 credit) and spring (3 credit) sequence for AST
410.
- Week 1–2: Consult with adviser
and decide on topic. Fill out enrollment form (obtainable
from Kim Crosslan) and draft reading list.
- Week 2–12: Read through papers,
background material; discuss them with advisor at weekly
meetings.
- Week 12–15: Formulate outline of
thesis, with abstract and bibliography, and submit it for
grading. (Before the end of the fall semester.)
- Week 16–24: Draft sections of
paper and submit for review as they are finished. Give two
short presentations at group meetings.
- Week 26: Submit first draft of
paper.
- Week 28: Submit second draft of paper,
which incorporates feedback from the first draft.
- Week 30: Submit final draft of paper .
Research option
There is an option to do original research for AST 410. To qualify for this option, you must meet
the following requirements by the middle of the first semester.
-
Perform at a 4.0 level, as shown by, e.g., quality of
participation in group and one-on-one meetings and
evaluation of the literature.
- Install Enzo and
yt, and demonstrate that
you have successfully work through the list of
topics/tutorials in my Starting Research page.
Note: thanks to Professor
Ed Brown for drafting a set
of requirements for AST-410. This page has been copied from
his senior thesis page (with some
modifications) with his permission.