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Presenting Your Thesis

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Presenting the results of your research

One of the basic principles of learning through research is telling others what you did, why and how you did it, and what you learned from the experience. All Honors students must present the results of their thesis work and are encouraged to present at the CALS Undergraduate Research Symposium held each spring. However, we know this is not possible for a number of students and students unable to present their thesis research at the CALS Symposium are required to make an oral presentation of their work in a scholarly environment.

The request for a different venue must be made by a letter from the research advisor/mentor to the Honors Committee Chairperson (116 Agriculture Hall) no later than the beginning of the semester in which the CALS Forum will be held. An exception is granted by return letter upon approval of the CALS Honors Committee Chairperson and the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs & Services. Where there is question or uncertainty, the proposal for the format will be acted upon by the Honors Committee.

Here are a few of the places you might use to present your work:

  1. The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences sponsors a CALS Undergraduate Research Symposium at the end of each Spring Semester. All students who receive College funding for their research are expected to present their work at this symposium. If you would like to present, please complete a Presentation Application and return the information as directed. The Symposium coordinator will then contact you about scheduling your presentation at the Symposium. Many students present a poster display of their work and others (Seniors usually) make a formal oral presentation to an invited audience of family, peers, mentors, faculty, and friends.
  2. Another opportunity is the all-campus Undergraduate Research Symposium which is sponsored by the Office of the Provost in the Spring of each year.
  3. Professional society meetings offer additional opportunities for students to present their work. Talk with your advisor or mentor about this possibility if it interests you.
  4. WISCI, the Wisconsin Undergraduate Journal of Science, is a student-run, peer-reviewed journal that publishes original research conducted by undergraduates at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
  5. Often, departments have research symposium courses for upper level students and these might offer an opportunity to present the results of your work as well.
  6. A laboratory or research team setting might give you another opportunity to present your results before your peers.