Thesis in Zoology (Zoology 4970) provides students with the opportunity to formalize their research experience into a larger project. Typically, students conduct their research over a one to two-year period and register for "thesis" during the time they write up the study. Students are required to present the work as a departmental seminar, and many theses have been published and/or presented at national/state/local meetings. 

Some current thesis projects:
* Taking the plunge: pouch morphology and function in diving brown pelicans
* Evolution of coloniality in the American Avocet
* The effect of female condition on parental care in European starlings

* An examination of the Elaeophora schneideri and other diseases of Moose (Alces alces) in Utah
* The effects of green nesting material on ectoparasite loads of nestling European Starlings

Recently completed theses:

2003. Kristina McKinley:Seasonal variation in offspring sex ratios in European Starlings
2002. Nancy Summers: Clutch size variation in European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris): a test of Lack's hypothesis.

2002. Julia Rayl: A study of the pollination system of Steershead (Dicentra uniflora).

2002. Olga Freidekind: Practical training protocol: In situ hybridisation to polytene chromosomes in Drosophila. Diplomate thesis, University of Heidelberg, Germany. (Research conducted at Weber State University).
2002. Melissa Bentley: The distribution and phylogeny of Het-A transposable elements within selected species of Drosophila.
2001. Eric Stakebake: A biomechanical and immunohistochemical study of gliding flight in albatrosses.
2001. Lori Spears: The effects of avian pox on plumage coloration in male house finches (Carpodacus mexicanus).
2001. Chris Ostler: Identification of Het-A transposable element in Drosophila teissieri.
2000. Jared Rogerson: Sexual segregation in introduced California bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis californiana) on Antelope Island state park.
1999. Melinda Morin. Abundance, distribution, and distribution of the Ogden Rocky Mountain land snail.
1997. Debra Naylor. Thyroid morphology and life history in Utah tiger salamanders.
1996. Ed Mathias. Muscle histochemistry and gliding posture in California gulls (Larus californicus).