MCB Honors Thesis

An honors thesis offers students the opportunity to deepen their research experience, work closely with faculty mentors and develop their scientific writing skills. This guide explains eligibility requirements, faculty sponsorship and the steps for completing an honors thesis in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology.

  • What is MCB 194H?
  • MCB 194H is a continuation of an intensive, individual laboratory research project in biochemistry, genetics, or cell biology that culminates with this course. Students get to present their work in a written thesis and are required to showcase it by doing a presentation. The presentation requirement may be fulfilled by participating in the Undergraduate Research Conference held each April.
  • Who can do an MCB honors thesis?
  • Students who have senior standing (135 or more units completed) with an overall GPA of 3.250+ can pursue the honors thesis. Students must ensure they complete 6 units of Research (199) or advanced research (193) coursework before registering for the MCB 194H honors thesis course.
  • I do not meet the overall GPA requirement; can I still do an MCB honors thesis?
  • A student cannot pursue an MCB honors thesis if they do not meet the GPA requirement, however our department does have the option for students to pursue the MCB research thesis. The MCB research thesis does not have a GPA requirement. Please meet with a BASC advisor to learn more about the MCB research thesis and discuss your GPA.
  • What should I do before pursuing an MCB honors thesis?
  • Please meet with a BASC advisor to learn more about the MCB honors thesis, its requirements and answer any questions you may have. You can also read through the FAQs on this page.
  • Do the 6 units of research coursework need to be MCB 199 or MCB 193?
  • No. Students are allowed to do research in any lab on campus and receive 199 or 193 units from other departments to fulfill this requirement as long as their research is related to their field of study.
  • How do I find a research lab?
  • You want to get involved in a lab on campus where you can do research on a subject related to your field of study and ensure that the professor of the lab provides you 6 research units (199 or 193) for your work. Don’t know how to get involved in a research lab? Meet with a BASC advisor for guidance!
  • What if my current lab’s research is not related to my field of study, or the lab cannot provide 6 research units?
  • You will need to get involved in a lab on campus where you can do research on a subject related to your field of study and receive 6 research units (199 or 193) for your work. Meet with a BASC advisor for guidance.
  • I will be doing research and receiving 199 units from a lab outside of the MCB department, is there a form I need to fill out to get this approved?
  • Although there is no official “form” for approval to do research in other labs that are not a part of MCB, students should check-in with their Faculty Advisor. Students should discuss their research with their Faster Advisor to ensure the work is appropriate for the MCB honors or research thesis and that it’s related to your field of study.
  • Who can serve as my thesis sponsor?
  • You will need a “thesis sponsor,” a faculty member who will oversee your research and help you with your thesis by providing feedback on your paper and findings. A student’s thesis sponsor is the professor whose lab they are working in and receiving research units from.
  • What if my faculty supervisor is not willing to be my thesis sponsor?
  • You will need to work in a different lab under a different faculty member who can provide you research units and also agrees to be your thesis sponsor.
  • Who is the Faculty Advisor for my major?
  • Faculty Advisors can be found on the BASC website for each major.
  • When should I meet with my major’s Faculty Advisor?
  • Once you have a lab and a thesis sponsor, you are encouraged to meet with your major’s Faculty Advisor and share that you’re pursuing the MCB thesis. You can share your research topic, the lab you are conducting research in, etc. Your Faculty Advisor will walk you through the MCB thesis components. Find your Faculty Advisor.
  • When do I enroll in MCB 194H?
  • You are to enroll in the MCB 194H course during the last quarter of your senior year. Please meet with your Faculty Advisor prior to the start of your last quarter to discuss how to register for MCB 194H and establish expectations, discuss deadlines, how you will communicate, etc.
  • What will I do during the MCB 194H course?
  • Throughout your time in the MCB 194H course you will work on your thesis with the guidance of your thesis sponsor and Faculty Advisor. In addition to writing your paper, you are required to present your work during this quarter as part of completing an MCB thesis.
  • What is the difference between MCB honors thesis and UHP honors thesis?
  • MCB honors thesis is coordinated with your major’s Faculty Advisor and your thesis advisor. In this way, it’s more intimate and you get two faculty who learn about you, your work and can evaluate it. The MCB thesis gives a student the opportunity to work closely with two different faculty members and build that closer connection with an MCB faculty member.
  • I am in the University Honors Program, can the MCB honors thesis or MCB research thesis fulfill my Signature Work requirement?
  • Yes. MCB honors thesis or research thesis fulfills UHP students’ Signature Work requirement. You can find more information here https://honors.ucdavis.edu/year-4-signature-work
  • After completing the MCB honors thesis, will I graduate with honors from CBS?
  • No. Graduating with honors, high honors or highest honors from CBS is based solely on a student’s GPA. More information on Graduation Honors can be found here https://ucdavis.pubs.curricunet.com/Catalog/academic-information (scroll down to Honors and Prizes Section)