Honors College Senior Thesis/Project/Capstone
The Honors College offers an exciting opportunity for students to dive deeply into meaningful research, receive mentorship from faculty, and prepare for advanced studies or professional careers. As part of this experience, rising seniors are required to complete a Senior Honors Thesis/Project/Capstone.
This year-long project spans the final Fall and Spring semesters of your time at Stony Brook University.
Beyond expertise in their chosen field, students will gain valuable skills in critical thinking, project management, and effective communication—laying a strong foundation for future academic or professional pursuits.
Option 1: Honors College Senior Thesis/Project
In the Fall semester, students enroll in HON 495, where they design and conduct an in-depth research or creative project. In the Spring, students continue their work in HON 496, focusing on writing the thesis and preparing their final presentation materials. The project culminates with the submission of a written thesis and an oral presentation at the annual University Honors Programs Senior Symposium.
To participate, students must first identify a Stony Brook faculty mentor who will guide them through the project. Students are also required to submit a Senior Thesis Intent Form to the Thesis Coordinator during the Spring semester of their junior year.
Option 2: Option 2: Social Analysis and Impact Capstone
The Honors College Capstone (HON 490/491) is a year-long, 6-credit option completed over your final two semesters: HON 490: Social Analysis Capstone in the Fall and HON 491: Social Impact Capstone in the Spring. Students must complete the courses in sequence and receive one final grade after HON 491. Students apply for the Capstone during the Spring semester of their junior year, once accepted, enroll in HON 490. During the Fall semester, students complete a progress report to continue into HON 491. The Capstone topic may vary each year and focuses on faculty-mentored research addressing a current societal challenge. A faculty expert serves as the mentor throughout both semesters, and the final thesis/written project must be single-authored.The project culminates with the submission of a written thesis and an oral presentation at the annual University Honors Programs Senior Symposium in April.
Past Topics:
- “The Future of History: Integrating Information Technology in Small Cultural Institutions”
- “The Future of Work: Career Dynamics in the Digital Age ”
Option 3: Departmental Thesis Through Your Major
If your major requires a Departmental Thesis, Senior Design Project, Senior Project, or Capstone, you may use it to fulfill the Honors College Thesis requirement. The project must consist of two consecutive 3-credit, letter-graded courses, and your department will assign the faculty mentor. CEAS students may use their Senior Design Project. You must submit the Senior Thesis Intent Form to indicate this option, and the Honors College will substitute the approved departmental courses for Honors Senior Thesis at the end of the Spring semester. All Departmental Thesis students must submit written work, and the same project cannot be used for both a Departmental Thesis and an Honors College thesis. The project culminates with the submission of a written thesis and an oral presentation at the annual University Honors Programs Senior Symposium in April.