Department of Natural Sciences Senior Thesis

Fall 2026 Calendar and Due Dates

Fall 2026

Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Analysis, Neuroscience and Physics
All DNS Thesis Course Numbers: 188L, 189L, 190L, 191L

Claremont McKenna College, Pitzer College, Scripps College

Wednesday September 2nd
Organizational Meeting: 5PM, Burns Lecture Hall/NS E007
Friday September 13th
DNS Thesis Registration Due – 1f, 2fR, 2s, 2sR

Thesis Registration Link: https://forms.gle/72BzGfghun35xjnEA
DNS Registration must be completed by the deadline as part of your course requirements. The DNS Thesis Form is required in addition to course enrollment and thesis registration with your home school.
Friday October 2nd
Progress Report Due to BOTH Readers – 1f
Week of: October 6-12th
Oral Presentations Due with DNS Reader – 2s
Friday
November 13th
5:00PM
Draft of Thesis due to BOTH Readers – 1f, 2f, 2fR
This should be a substantially complete draft. See Syllabus for more details.
Monday
November 30th
12:00PM
(NOON)
Thesis Abstract and Final Poster Due by 12PM (Noon) – 1f, 2f, 2fR, TMP
Due to the DNS Drop Box Link: https://tinyurl.com/w3bf5xed
Please review all information and make any necessary changes before you submit your final file to the DNS Drop Box!
Friday

December 4th
1:15PM-4:30PM
Mandatory Poster Presentations from 1:15PM-4:30PM – 1f, 2f, 2fR, TMP
More information about presentations will be sent out in March.
Six Seminar Summaries Due to your DNS/1st Reader – 1f, 2f, 2fR, 2s, TMP
Semester-End Progress Report Due to Both Readers – 2s

Monday
December 7th
12:00PM
(NOON)
Final Thesis Due via the DNS Drop Box before 12PM (Noon) – 1f, 2f, 2fR

Due to DNS Drop Box Link: https://tinyurl.com/w3bf5xed
Final Thesis Due to BOTH Readers before 12PM (Noon) – 1f, 2f, 2fR
Final Thesis due to Scholarship@Claremont – 1f, 2f, 2fR
Review information/requirements from your Home Registrar

HOW TO CORRECTLY ENROLL FOR THESIS: Thesis Type (Course Enrollment by Term)
1f:     One Semester Fall Thesis – Completed in Fall 2026 (191L in Fall)
2f:    Two Semester Fall Thesis – Spring 2026 (188L in Spring) + Fall 2026 (190L in Fall)
2fR: Two Semester Sum/Fall Thesis – Sum. Research 2026 and Fall 2026 (189L & 190L both in Fall 2026)
2sR: Two Semester Sum/Spring Thesis – Sum. Research 2026 (189L in Fall) and Spring 2027 (190L in Spring)
2s:    Two semester Spring Thesis – Fall 2026 (188L) and Spring 2027 (190L)

Note: Students who are interested in working with animals should be working closely with a faculty member (First Reader) who is familiar with the process. The faculty member will be the one to submit the application form for animal use by September 12, 2026. Please contact Jenna Monroy, [email protected] for further information.

Note: One of your two readers MUST be a faculty member from the Department of Natural Sciences. The other may work at another college, institution or university, however they must hold a PhD.