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to Majoring in Math at HaverfordHaverford has a general college requirement, applying to all majors, of an in-depth "senior experience." For mathematics majors, the completion of a senior paper forms this experience. Students normally spend the fall semester of their senior year exploring possible topics and beginning their research, and the spring semester writing the paper, which is expected to be an expository account of the research experience. Here "research" is taken in the broad sense: it is not expected to be "original" or "publishable". It can simply be an in-depth study of a topic or area that interests you, drawing on several sources, and based on mathematics beyond the introductory level. The organization and exposition should be your own, and it is here that you make your own "original" contribution.
The department gives extensive guidance and support in writing the thesis. It is a new and unfamiliar experience for most students but one which often proves extremely rewarding. Senior Seminar (consisting of Math 399f and i) is a required two-semester, one-credit course offered in the devoted to the mechanics of thesis preparation and practice for the oral presentation. Students may substitute an Independent Study (Math 480, half credit) supervised by their thesis advisor for the first semester of Senior Seminar.
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This page maintained by jtecosky@haverford.edu. Last updated 7/24/02