When thinking about a project with the scope and difficulty of an Honors in the Major thesis project, you will want to plan very carefully, and begin that planning, at least the early stages, long before you actually start work on the project itself. In addition, you will want to stay aware of deadlines and other requirements. For this reason, we have provided a Timeline for you to follow. The guidelines, those things that are flexible, are in regular print. Deadlines, which are not negotiable, are in bold print, so that you can easily differentiate.

BEFORE YOUR PROJECT BEGINS (ideally some time in the term immediately before the term in which you would like to start):

• This is a good time to begin thinking about what sort of project you might want to do, and who you might want on your committee. You can begin narrowing down your choices by visiting departmental websites and discovering the research interests of faculty in your department. Now is also a good time to begin interviewing people you think you might want on your committee.
• Make an appointment to talk to the Honors in the Major coordinator by sending an email to hitm@fsu.edu
• Make an appointment to talk to your Honors Liaison (if applicable; not all departments have an Honors liaison).

RESEARCH TERMS (any term in which you are actively working on your thesis but NOT defending your thesis)

• Third day of classes – last day to turn your Honors in the Major application
• Before the end of Add/Drop – register for Honors thesis credit (contact your department for the reference number)
• First 2-3 weeks (or, for projects that will be at least three terms, the whole first semester) – work with your Thesis Director to narrow your project's focus and generate your prospectus. Select the other members of your committee.
• Middle of third week (for two-term projects) – submit prospectus to your committee for their feedback and approval
• Friday, seventh week of classes (for two-term projects) – copy of approved Prospectus and signed Prospectus approval form due to Honors in the Major office

DEFENSE TERM

• Friday, fourth week of classes – Defense Announcement due to Honors in the Major office
• 2-3 weeks prior to scheduled defense date – draft of thesis due to thesis committee. Failure to provide your committee members with enough time to review your thesis draft can result in the delay of your thesis defense.
• Last day of classes, before the week of finals – all paper documents and electronic thesis files due to Honors in the Major office