Thesis
 
This page is the resource for students interested in completing their
senior thesis/project to graduate with honors from the South Carolina Honors College.

Honors Thesis Profile:
Kevin Ludwick

Physics Major
Class of 2008

 

Listen to Enough by Kevin Ludwick from his album Come Home.

The senior thesis, a requirement for graduation with SCHC Honors, is the culmination of over a year's worth of planning, research, and writing. Students in the South Carolina Honors College have a wide range of interests, as reflected by their thesis topics. Periodically, we feature senior thesis projects currently in the works. We hope they will serve as an inspiration to present and future students

What made you decide to do a musical project?
I majored in physics (with a math minor). I've always been very interested in music composition and song writing. I originally had a music major along with my physics major, but I wouldn't have been able to finish with both degrees in four years, so I dropped the music major. I've always wanted to make a music album, so I decided to do that for my senior project.
Writing and composing your own pieces can be time-consuming. How long did you work on this project?
Well, many of the songs on the CD were already written before my senior project. My songs were written between the time I was in 9th grade until my senior year in college. I edited certain lyrics and musical phrases of my songs during my senior year. All the recording and mixing was done during the spring of my senior year.
Have you enjoyed working on your thesis? Would you recommend doing a thesis to other students? Why?
I loved it! It's was a lot of work, but it didn't seem like it because I loved every minute of it. I recommend doing a thesis or project to other students because it gives them the freedom to delve into whatever field or topic interests them. Making a music album is the most fun project that I've ever done, and I was truly motivated to do a good job on it and spend lots of time on it. Doing my senior project was a truly rewarding experience.
Is there anything else you want current or future students or the public to know about the thesis process or about your particular project?
Students should make sure to start working on their project early. The process took a lot longer than I thought it would, so students should not procrastinate. Be aware (and beware) of deadlines.
What are your plans after graduation?
I'll be going to graduate school at UNC Chapel Hill to get my PhD in physics. I also plan to keep progressing in my song writing in my spare time, and I'll hopefully be able to make more music albums."
 
Required Courses for the Honors Thesis
SCHC 390z a 1 credit course, taken as pass/fail during the 2nd semester of your junior year to get you thinking about your senior thesis/project
SCHC 499 a year-long course, in which you enroll for your 1st semester of your senior year for 3-15 credit hours.
Senior Thesis/Project Grant Much needed funding, up to $1,500.00, to help cover the cost of some items used during the senior thesis/project.
Senior Thesis/Project Defense A public hearing of your senior thesis/project that takes place by the deadline posted on the Honors College calendar, usually two weeks before you graduate
Senior Thesis / Project Handbook  
 
SCHC 390z Quick Reference
•
 In the second semester of your Junior year, you will need to identify your director and general topic for your Senior Thesis/Project. You and your director will need to sign the SCHC 390Z: Thesis planning Pre-Enrollment Form in order to register for this 1 credit, P/F course. All students except those studying in exchange programs must complete SCHC 390Z in the semester before enrolling in SCHC 499: Senior Thesis Project.
•
 To register for SCHC 390Z you will need to bring your completed Pre-Enrollment form to the Director of Student Services in the Honors College by the posted deadlines under "News and Announcements" on the Honors College Homepage. Typically, students should plan on taking SCHC 390Z in the spring semester of their junior year.
•
 Completion of the requirements for SCHC 390Z are determined by your director, but generally require you to develop a thesis proposal written according to the protocols of the discipline. Even if you are not required to take SCHC 390Z, you must still identify your director and develop a proposal before registering for SCHC 499. Your director will be responsible for entering your grade at the end of the semester on VIP.
SCHC 499 - Senior Thesis / Project Quick Reference
•
 Ideally a student should register for SCHC 499 Senior Thesis/Project during the fall semester of his or her senior year.  You may register for 3 to 15 credit hours and if registering for 6 or more, you may split them between semesters. Remember, increased credits raise expectations. Essentially, you should expect to invest 150 hours (research through final revision) for every 3 credits.
•
 To register for SCHC 499, you must complete the senior thesis contract, which can be found on the Honors College on-line forms. For this contract, you will need to identify your second reader, have the form signed by both readers and your major advisor and submit a copy of your approved proposal. You must turn in these items to the Director of Student Services in the Honors College by the posted deadlines under "News and Announcements" on the Honors College Homepage.
•
 SCHC 499 is usually a two-semester experience, thus, if you enroll in the fall semester, your thesis/project is due at the end of spring term. Credits, though, will be awarded for the semester in which you enrolled in SCHC 499. You should plan to complete the majority of the work for your thesis/project in the first semester of enrollment, saving the second for revisions and defense. Students attempting to complete their theses in one semester will be on a significantly more compressed schedule.
Senior Thesis / Project Grant Quick Reference
•
 Once registered for SCHC 499 students can apply for a grant to help cover some of the cost associated with your study.  Grant applications can be found on-line at the Honors College website.  See the "News and Announcements" on the Honors College Homepage for application deadlines.
Senior Thesis / Project Defense Quick Reference
•
 You must defend your thesis by the deadline posted on the Honors College calendar. You will submit a draft of your thesis and the Defense Confirmation Form to the Director of Student Services at least two weeks before your scheduled defense.   
•
 After you have defended and made final corrections to your Senior Thesis/Project, you must submit a CD-ROM version of your paper and a signed, final hard copy of your senior thesis/project to the Director of Student Services in the Honors College by the posted deadline under "News and Announcements" on the Honors College Homepage.
•
 We cannot certify you for "graduation with honors from South Carolina Honors College" until we have received the final, signed copy of your thesis/project. If you have not been so certified prior to the date the Registrar closes the books on the semester, you will be graduated from the University without this distinction. The University will not award any distinction retroactively, even if you complete the requirements at a later date.
Senior Thesis Information
Harper College 201, Columbia, SC 29208 803-777-8102
© University of South Carolina Board of Trustees