{"id":20593,"date":"2023-08-03T15:32:36","date_gmt":"2023-08-03T15:32:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/honors.syr.edu\/dev-thesis\/?page_id=20593"},"modified":"2025-10-13T13:55:08","modified_gmt":"2025-10-13T13:55:08","slug":"explore-field","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/honors.syr.edu\/thesis\/planning-thesis\/explore-field\/","title":{"rendered":"Explore Your Field of Study"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/honors.syr.edu\/thesis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2023\/08\/Crown-text-treatment-logo-1.jpg\" alt=\"Renee Crown Honors Program Logo\" itemprop=\"image\" height=\"220\" width=\"2495\" title=\"Crown-text-treatment-logo\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" loading='lazy' \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul id=\"menu-planning-subpages\"><li id=\"menu-item-21196\" aria-haspopup=\"true\"><a href=\"https:\/\/honors.syr.edu\/thesis\/planning-thesis\/\">Planning Your Thesis<\/a>\n<ul>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-21199\"><a href=\"https:\/\/honors.syr.edu\/thesis\/planning-thesis\/explore-field\/\">Explore Your Field of Study<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-21200\"><a href=\"https:\/\/honors.syr.edu\/thesis\/planning-thesis\/thesis-development\/\">Resources for Thesis Development<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-21198\"><a href=\"https:\/\/honors.syr.edu\/thesis\/planning-thesis\/connect-faculty\/\">Connect with a Faculty Advisor<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-21197\"><a href=\"https:\/\/honors.syr.edu\/thesis\/planning-thesis\/past-projects\/\">Browse Past Honors Thesis Projects<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-21201\"><a href=\"https:\/\/honors.syr.edu\/thesis\/planning-thesis\/submit-thesis-proposal\/\">Submit Your Thesis Proposal<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\n\t\t<h3>Search Academia.edu for Research Ideas<\/h3>\n\t\t<p>Browsing the published research of faculty members you know is a great way to see if your interests align with theirs.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/syr.academia.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGo to Academia.edu\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n<h2>\n\t\t\tExplore Opportunities in Your Field\t<\/h2>\n\t<p>Your undergraduate career will be focused in one of your major fields of study, so that is your starting point.\u00a0 The first step is to ask questions:<\/p>\n<ul> \t\n<li><em>What about your chosen major interested you in the first place?\u00a0 <\/em><\/li>\n\n<li><em>What is a class (or even part of a class) you remember that interested you?\u00a0 <\/em><\/li>\n\n<li><em>Who has been a professor you &#8216;clicked&#8217; with?<\/em><\/li>\n\n<li>What are the professors in your school working on?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Next, consider the institution and what it is focused on. To be honest, you will find a faculty advisor much more easily if you start by learning what is currently being researched and written about within your major.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>Ideas for Exploration that worked for past students<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-0\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-0\">Contact other people in the department<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-0\"  tabindex=\"0\"><i title=\"Expand\">Expand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Ask which professors take students in their research areas, and what are their labs or groups like.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Peers &#8211; students you know who have already participated in undergraduate research;<\/li>\n<li>Professors (if professors don&#8217;t have room in their labs, you can ask if they can suggest any colleagues to you);<\/li>\n<li>Departmental staff, academic or non-academic: advisors, administrative staff, program directors, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-1\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-1\">Attend or participate in undergraduate research days<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-1\"  tabindex=\"0\"><i title=\"Expand\">Expand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>Departments showcase their students&#8217; work on different days, typically in May. It is best to begin exploring these research days in your first and second years at SU.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>Attend Honors Thesis Presentation day as a first year and a sophomore for an in-person look at a completed Thesis project.\u00a0 You will see what other students have done and discover what you can do.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-2\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-2\">Visit the Center for Fellowship &amp; Scholarship Advising website<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-2\"  tabindex=\"0\"><i title=\"Expand\">Expand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>Syracuse students may search the database of fellowships and scholarships available.\u00a0 There may be programs listed that you can take advantage of on your research path: Go to\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/nationalscholarships.syr.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/nationalscholarships.syr.edu<\/a> and click on &#8216;<a href=\"http:\/\/cfsa.flywheelsites.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">National Scholarships Directory<\/a>&#8216; to search for opportunities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>It is worth repeating: talk to professors. They may know about other awards or funding available to you.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-3\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-3\">Get Funding through the Work Study Program<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-3\"  tabindex=\"0\"><i title=\"Expand\">Expand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sujobopps.com\/\">Work Study <\/a>program subsidizes the cost of hiring students, including for research positions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>Applicants must demonstrate financial need for the given academic year and apply to Work Study.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>Some professors do not know about this opportunity. If you are eligible inform the professor when you discuss with them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-4\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-4\">Be familiar with the Syracuse Libraries<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-4\"  tabindex=\"0\"><i title=\"Expand\">Expand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/library.syr.edu\/\">Syracuse Library\u00a0<\/a>provides essential services, programs and resources to support the research of students and faculty. These include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/library.syr.edu\/about\/visiting.php\">workshops and tours\u00a0<\/a>linked to curriculum and assignments to help develop and build vital research skills,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>online\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/researchguides.library.syr.edu\/?b=s\">subject guides\u00a0<\/a>to most disciplinary areas,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>articles, research databases, newspapers, e-journals, e-books, statistics and data, print resources, and more,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/library.syr.edu\/help\/citing.php\">citation management software <\/a>to organize references, format bibliographies and avoid plagiarism, plus <a href=\"http:\/\/researchguides.library.syr.edu\/citation\/\">how to cite\u00a0<\/a>guides; and,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>computers and assistance in all branch libraries, including <a href=\"https:\/\/library.syr.edu\/help\/askus.php\">online assistance<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-5\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-5\">Check out Career Services for useful skills<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-5\"  tabindex=\"0\"><i title=\"Expand\">Expand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>Learn how to network, write your C.V. and cover letter, interview and more&#8230;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>&#8230;everything that matters when you apply for research positions and for work in the traditional job market.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>Visit Career Services or visit the <a href=\"http:\/\/careerservices.syr.edu\/\">website<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-6\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-6\">Think outside the box!<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-6\"  tabindex=\"0\"><i title=\"Expand\">Expand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>Attend\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/calendar.syracuse.edu\/events\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">talks, seminars, colloquia, etc., <\/a><\/strong>organized by Syracuse departments and faculties.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>At specialist talks, it&#8217;s okay if you don&#8217;t understand that much of the technical stuff (you won&#8217;t be the only one). You will get a sense of what scientists do, what the questions are, and what research is about &#8211; and it&#8217;s an opportunity to meet people in your department.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>Your Syracuse degree provides you excellent preparation for work in your field of study&#8230;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>there are also often opportunities outside your own department. Don&#8217;t overlook possibilities for cross-disciplinary work where your skills overlap with another unit on campus.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\t<h3>Syracuse Labs, Centers, &amp; Institutes Directory:<\/h3>\n<p>Below we have gathered some of the more known research centers and institutes around campus.\u00a0 You can use these as a starting point for research and professional opportunities.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Note<\/strong>* before you contact any faculty member, please make sure you read our section on appropriately connecting with a faculty member.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" id=\"fl-tabs--label-0\" data-index=\"0\" aria-selected=\"true\" aria-controls=\"fl-tabs--panel-0\" aria-expanded=\"true\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\">\t\t\t\t<h4>Natural Science &#038; STEM<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" id=\"fl-tabs--label-1\" data-index=\"1\" aria-selected=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-tabs--panel-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\">\t\t\t\t<h4>Professional<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" id=\"fl-tabs--label-2\" data-index=\"2\" aria-selected=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-tabs--panel-2\" aria-expanded=\"false\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\">\t\t\t\t<h4>Interdisciplinary<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" id=\"fl-tabs--label-3\" data-index=\"3\" aria-selected=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-tabs--panel-3\" aria-expanded=\"false\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\">\t\t\t\t<h4>Social Sciences<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" id=\"fl-tabs--label-4\" data-index=\"4\" aria-selected=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-tabs--panel-4\" aria-expanded=\"false\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\">\t\t\t\t<h4>Creative<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" id=\"fl-tabs--label-5\" data-index=\"5\" aria-selected=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-tabs--panel-5\" aria-expanded=\"false\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\">\t\t\t\t<h4>Humanities<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>Natural Science &#038; STEM<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Below is a compiled list of labs, research centers, and institutes at Syracuse University that you should explore.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/airtable.com\/embed\/shrmuzfrS1qIwU31R?backgroundColor=cyan&amp;viewControls=on\" width=\"100%\" height=\"533\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>Professional<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/airtable.com\/embed\/shrGLURyd1Mq80EkE?backgroundColor=cyan&#038;viewControls=on\" frameborder=\"0\" onmousewheel=\"\" width=\"100%\" height=\"533\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>Interdisciplinary<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/airtable.com\/embed\/shrTdQWlaj9HON4Kh?backgroundColor=cyan&#038;viewControls=on\" frameborder=\"0\" onmousewheel=\"\" width=\"100%\" height=\"533\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>Social Sciences<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/airtable.com\/embed\/shrCjA8kX6AtGvzBE?backgroundColor=cyan&#038;viewControls=on\" frameborder=\"0\" onmousewheel=\"\" width=\"100%\" height=\"533\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>Creative<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/airtable.com\/embed\/shrenEdidRrCLp6xw?backgroundColor=cyan&#038;viewControls=on\" frameborder=\"0\" onmousewheel=\"\" width=\"100%\" height=\"533\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>Humanities<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/airtable.com\/embed\/shrHXwpMPx8M62Ss9?backgroundColor=cyan&#038;viewControls=on\" frameborder=\"0\" onmousewheel=\"\" width=\"100%\" height=\"533\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n\t\t<h3>Having trouble viewing the list?<\/h3>\n\t\t<p>View it in Google here<\/p>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/d\/12eYpKjD0eaIiKRUvNEZYbGrtIsKuQOb4VP0unpJ5G2s\/edit?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tClick Here\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Planning Your Thesis Explore Your Field of Study Resources for Thesis Development Connect with a Faculty Advisor Browse Past Honors Thesis Projects Submit Your Thesis Proposal Search Academia.edu for Research Ideas Browsing the published research of faculty members you know is a great way to see if your interests align with theirs.\u00a0\u00a0 Go to Academia.edu&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":20590,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-20593","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/honors.syr.edu\/thesis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/20593","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/honors.syr.edu\/thesis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/honors.syr.edu\/thesis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/honors.syr.edu\/thesis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/honors.syr.edu\/thesis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20593"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/honors.syr.edu\/thesis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/20593\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21606,"href":"https:\/\/honors.syr.edu\/thesis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/20593\/revisions\/21606"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/honors.syr.edu\/thesis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/20590"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/honors.syr.edu\/thesis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20593"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}