DRAFT - Graduation with Distinction

What is Graduation with Distinction?

Graduation with Distinction is an undergraduate thesis that involves at least two semesters of research on a topic, which results in a final research report and a presentation of the research findings to a committee of faculty. Students who are interested in pursuing graduation with distinction begin the process well before their final semester in school. In the Department of Computer Science, this work must be done with a Computer Science faculty member and must include at least one Computer Science independent study course.
 
Students who are qualified to graduate with distinction will need to first apply to the CS DUS. They should complete this step at the beginning of their expected graduation term. Accepted candidates then complete a substantial project, suitably documented, or a distinguished paper, which they will subsequently defend in an oral examination before a committee of three faculty members.
 

Requirements

  • Candidates must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher in Computer Science courses numbered above 200.
  • Candidates must complete a project, representing at least two semester's work on the same topic and including at least one independent study, under the guidance of a faculty member in computer science who oversees and endorses the project.
  • The project should represent a significant intellectual endeavor including the writing of a report.
  • A presentation of the project must be made to a committee of three faculty members, two of whom will normally be from computer science, although for interdisciplinary projects this restriction can be relaxed.
  • Graduation with high or highest distinction is awarded at the discretion of a faculty committee in consultation with the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
  • Graduation with high or highest distinction is typically awarded for projects that are of publishable quality. Candidates should have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher in those courses related to the area of research; these courses must include at least one course at the 500 level or above.

Pathway to Graduation with Distinction

MilestonesTimeline
Enroll in and successfully complete your 1st Research Independent Study course.as early as the first semester of your sophomore year, but NO later than the first semester of your senior year
Obtain and document the results from your initial research.during the course of taking your 1st Research Independent Study class
Write a research report based upon your initial research.as part of your completion requirements for the 1st Research Independent Study course
Identify the area of research you want your Graduation with Distinction to focus on as well as the ideal Computer Science faculty member(s) with whom you would like to do that research. Ask them to be your project advisor/committee head.before you sign up for your 2nd graduation with distinction-related Research Independent Study
Identify and invite faculty to be members of your project committee. Get advice from your advisor/committee head about who would be the best candidates. You need at least 2 other committee members in addition to your advisor/head.after securing your advisor/committee head
Enroll in and successfully complete your 2nd Research Independent Study course.as early as the second semester of your sophomore year, but NO later than the second semester of your senior year
Apply to graduate with distinction.as early as one semester prior to when you are projected to graduate, but NO later than two weeks before the last day of classes during your expected graduation term
Obtain and document the updated results from your continued research.during the course of taking your 2nd Research Independent Study class
Write a final research report based upon your all of your findings.as part of your completion requirements for the 2nd Research Independent Study course
Make a presentation to your committee.as early as one semester prior to when you are projected to graduate, but NO later than one week before the last day of classes during your expected graduation term
Submit a .pdf of your revised final research report (complete with edits and corrections suggested by your committee) to the DUS.upon approval from your advisor (your committee head) and NO later than the last day of classes of the semester during which the presentation is given

If you are requesting to graduate with distinction in SPRING 2026...

  • Deadline to apply for Graduation with Distinction - Wednesday, April 8, 2026
  • Last day to hold your presentation (one week before the last day of classes) - Wednesday, April 15, 2026
  • Final paper due with changes and edits that were requested by your committee (no later than the last day of classes); must be submitted to dus@cs.duke.edu - Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Apply

Apply to graduate with distinction here.

Checklist

Here are a few important housekeeping details you’ll need to take care of in preparation for your presentation and to conclude submission of your final project. Most of these steps will need to be done EARLY, soon after you apply for Graduation with Distinction.

The Written Document

Duke University requires a written document to accompany the presentation as part of the criteria for Graduation with Distinction. There is no specific format/style guide that we recommend you adhere to. There is also no specific required number of pages that the document should have. Your final report does, however, need to be a technical paper which includes research references.

The written document must:

  • be given to the committee several days prior to the presentation. (It may be in draft form at this stage.)
  • have a substantial bibliography of related work.
  • have a chapter/section on related work.
  • convey the results and methodology of the project.
  • convey both the depth and breadth of the contributions and the project.
  • represent at least two semesters of work.
Thesis Example from a Previous Semester

The thesis linked below is provided as an example of the style, organization, and content of a report submitted as part of the requirements for graduation with distinction. Other than the guidelines above, your faculty committee will determine the exact requirements of your document. Other reports may differ substantially from the one below.

Writing Support and Other Services

Duke University Libraries offers support and special privileges to seniors who are pursuing Graduation with Distinction (GWD) and writing a thesis paper.

We recommend that you reach out to the Office of the DUS (at dus@cs.duke.edu) as early as the Summer or Fall semester prior to your Spring graduation to get signed up!

Some of these Libraries' perks and services include...

  • Need a quiet space to research and write? Gain access to Bostock 312, a quiet study room available only to students writing senior theses (ask for the code at the Perkins Service Desk) OR to study carrels for 4-hour blocks (check out a key at the Perkins Library Service Desk).
  • Want extended time with and special access to research (source) materials? Receive graduate student/honors undergraduate borrowing privileges, which include 1-year checkout period for books and 1-day checkout of periodicals/journals.
  • Need help FINDING research materials and ORGANIZING your citation info? Check out these two guide pages:

You can also reach out directly to the Computer Science subject specialist librarian with reference questions about your specific research topic - Deric Hardy at deric.hardy@duke.edu.