The Honours Thesis Course offers a collaborative learning environment. I experienced professional growth as I practiced my research skills throughout the two terms. The guidance and feedback I received from Dr Catherine Eimers helped refine my approaches to scientific inquiry, critical thinking, and knowledge gap recognition. Interactions with my peers were equally rewarding, as they granted diverse perspectives on research questions and approaches to seek answers. This experience solidified my decision to continue pursuing environmental science research within my MSc, equipped me with the tools and confidence to do so."
During my last year of undergraduate studies at Trent, I took on the challenge of completing an honour’s thesis.
My project looked at the potential of stormwater management ponds to be hotspots for benthic macroinvertebrate biodiversity where natural habitats are less abundant. I was able to come up with a research plan that tailored to my interests while also being able to build on and learn new skills. My co-supervisors Dr Kaitlyn Fleming and Dr Mary-Claire Buell helped greatly in providing advice and expertise which had a great impact on my learning experience and success in my thesis. The course itself is designed and executed in a way to help you stay on track and succeed with the mentorship of Dr Catherine Eimers. I was also able to work with my peers and help each other improve our research throughout the academic year.
Taking on an undergraduate thesis helped me to learn my passion for research. I loved working with both of my supervisors so much that I have continued my academic journey with the same team as a MSc candidate for Trent’s ENLS program where I have been working on my Master’s thesis. So far I’ve been able to use many of the skills I’ve learned during my honour’s thesis and build upon them.
While taking the Honours Thesis course, I found myself becoming a much better scientific writer, and researcher while gaining invaluable experience in a world-class research laboratory.
My thesis, supervised by Dr Cheryl McKenna Neuman focused on dust emissions from inert mine tailings. I designed an experiment and tested my hypothesis in the wind tunnel laboratory. I shared my ideas, thesis proposal, and findings with my peers in the course and with our professor Dr Catherine Eimers. The feedback from my peers and professor helped me to convey my thesis message to a wider audience, while my supervisor provided technical writing skills and a professional perspective on the purpose of my research. After being mentored by Dr McKenna Neuman, I was compelled to recommend the double-credit course to other students in Environmental Sciences who are interested in performing their own research and honing writing skills in preparation for graduate studies.