Keystone Pathways
The Keystone Project is flexible and gives students the opportunity to pursue research or creative work through Kilachand or their home school or college department. There are various pathways through which Kilachand students can complete the Keystone requirement.
After reviewing the details below, students may send any questions to keystone@bu.edu or share them with their Kilachand academic advisor.
Kilachand Keystone Project Pathway
The Kilachand pathway is the traditional Keystone Project pathway. Students undertake the Keystone Project individually or in a small group with independent and unique responsibilities under the supervision of a faculty advisor.
In the junior year, students take KHC HC 451: Keystone Proposal Workshop to draft their research proposal.
In their senior year, students following this pathway enroll in Keystone Directed Study I & II: KHC HC 503 (fall) and KHC HC 504 (spring) with their project advisor. Additionally, all Kilachand students take the People in Process sequence, KHC HC 501 and KHC HC 502/512/522.
College of Arts & Sciences Honors Thesis
Some students have the opportunity and a compelling reason to complete an honors thesis in their CAS major department. This is an application-based opportunity, and Kilachand students should keep KHC apprised of their admission status within their CAS major department.
Students pursuing this pathway are strongly recommended to take KHC HC 451 in the junior year.
In the senior year, they do not enroll in KHC HC 503 and 504, but instead enroll in the honors directed study sequence, CAS XX 401 and CAS XX 402, in their major department. Additionally, all Kilachand students take the People in Process sequence, KHC HC 501 and KHC HC 502/512/522. Note: students whose departments do not offer the CAS XX 401/402 sequence enroll in KHC HC 503 and KHC HC 504 with their CAS Honors Thesis advisor.
CAS/GRS BA/MA or BA/MS Thesis
Some students may be able to complete the requirements of the BA/MA and BA/MS programs within the College of Arts and Sciences in four years.
Students enrolled in the CAS/GRS BA/MA and BA/MS programs and who can complete these programs in their fourth year are strongly recommended to take KHC HC 451 in the junior year.
In the senior year, they do not enroll in KHC HC 503 and 504 but instead enroll in the departmental directed study courses associated with the MA or MS thesis in their major department. Additionally, all Kilachand students take the People in Process sequence, KHC HC 501 and KHC HC 502/512/522.
Note: students whose departments do not offer an MA or MS thesis or do not offer a directed study sequence for the thesis enroll in KHC HC 503 and KHC HC 504 with their Master’s Thesis Advisor.
College of Engineering Senior Design Project
College of Engineering students are required to complete a Senior Design Project through the College of Engineering in their senior year.
Students completing a Senior Design Project do not take KHC HC 451 in the junior year. They do not enroll in KHC HC 503 and 504, and instead enroll in the departmental course credits associated with the College of Engineering Senior Design Project. Additionally, all Kilachand students take the People in Process sequence, KHC HC 501 and KHC HC 502/512/522.
College of Communication Production III Honors
Some students have the opportunity engage in the COM Production III Honors. This is an application-based opportunity, and Kilachand students should keep KHC apprised of their admission status.
Students pursuing this pathway are strongly recommended to take KHC HC 451 in the junior year. Those enrolled in COM Production III do not enroll in KHC HC 503 and 504 and instead enroll in COM FT468. Additionally, all Kilachand students take the People in Process sequence, KHC HC 501 and KHC HC 502/512/522.
Sargent College Senior Thesis for Distinction
Some students have the opportunity and a compelling reason to complete the Senior Thesis for Distinction in Sargent College. This is an application-based opportunity, and Kilachand students should keep KHC apprised of their admission status.
Students pursuing this pathway are strongly recommended to take KHC HC 451 in the junior year. Students pursuing the Senior Thesis for Distinction do not enroll in KHC HC 503 and 504 but instead enroll in SAR HP 495 for a minimum of 2-credits per semester. Additionally, all Kilachand students take the People in Process sequence, KHC HC 501 and KHC HC 502/512/522.
CAS American & New England Studies Program Senior Project
American & New England Studies Program students complete their program of study by undertaking a one- or two-semester senior project. The senior project may take the form of a research seminar (CAS AM 501 or AM 502) or an individual Directed Study leading to a senior thesis based on original research or criticism (CAS AM 491 or AM 492). Qualified seniors may undertake a two-semester honors thesis (CAS AM 401 and AM 402), which must be evaluated by a faculty committee.
Students planning on this pathway are strongly recommended to take KHC HC 451 in the junior year. Students enrolled in CAS AMNESP do not enroll in KHC HC 503 and 504 and instead enroll in two semesters of the AMNESP senior project, either via CAS AM 501 and 502, CAS AM 491 and AM 492, or CAS AM 401 and 402. Additionally, all Kilachand students take the People in Process sequence, KHC HC 501 and KHC HC 502/512/522.
Questrom Honors Capstone Project
The Questrom Honors Program Capstone Project will fulfill the Kilachand Keystone Project requirement when students participating in both the Questrom Honors Program and Kilachand Honors College choose the Capstone Project research path within Questrom Honors. Kilachand will review individual student petitions for Questrom Honors Capstone Projects in other paths, such as innovation.
Students completing a Questrom Honors Capstone Project are not required to take KHC HC 451 in the junior year if they are planning a project on the Questrom Honors research path or another Questrom project approved by Kilachand. In the senior year, Questrom Honors students do not enroll in KHC HC 503 and 504, but instead take QST SM 460. Additionally, all Kilachand students take the People in Process sequence, KHC HC 501 and KHC HC 502/512/522.
Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences Capstone Project
Planning is in progress for a Keystone pathway in collaboration with the Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences.
Students majoring in Data Science should take KHC HC 451 in their junior year. For those students who plan to complete their CDS Capstone Experience through a practicum course (CDS DS 499, CDS DS 519, CDS DS 539, or CDS DS 549) or Directed Study course (CDS DS 490), the chosen CDS course will apply to the Keystone Project requirement. An internship/co-op experience will not fulfill the Keystone requirement. If you have questions about this developing pathway, please email keystone@bu.edu.
Wheelock College of Education & Human Development Capstone Project
Students majoring in Education & Human Development should take KHC HC 451 in their junior year. Please discuss your plans to fulfill the Keystone requirement as well as your Wheelock senior coursework with your Wheelock advisor and with our team at keystone@bu.edu, as the best approach to a Keystone project may differ depending on your specialization and coursework within Wheelock.