English major Fori C. Daniel '86, is writing a novel for her creative thesis. She wants to "come up with a possibly publishable piece of fiction."

Science concentrators have the same rationales for writing theses as their humanities-oriented classmates. However, major differences in research methods and results separate the two types of endeavor: the science concentrator often does experimental lab research instead of working with stacks of musty library books and boxes of index cards.

For science concentrators, a thesis doesn't always necessarily imply results.

"You try to ask a question, and the experiment may not answer the question and then you're in trouble," says Biology concentrator Grace H. Jeon '86.

Biochemistry concentrator Daniel P. Felsenfeld '86 says that the hardest part of his thesis is "getting certain mammalian cells to grow outside the body." Felsenfeld studies a protein called Na pump.

"I've applied this technique several times and it has finally worked," he adds.

Felsenfeld is so devoted to his work that "no matter what happens, I'm going to take a year off after graduation to finish the experiment."

Like Felsfenfeld, Biochemistry concentrator James F. Amatruda '86 "loves what he's studying" and says he "isn't intimidated" if he doesn't get results.

"I wouldn't put up with the frustration of experiment failure if I didn't like what I was doing," says Amatruda, who studies receptors.

In fact, Felsenfeld considers science theses more immediately conclusive, saying "humanities people might go to the library and find no sources on their topic. Science concentrators will, get lab experience no matter what."

Felsenfeld concludes, though, that "once the books are found, they won't die. Our cells may die."

Both Felsenfeld and Amatruda agree that it is comforting to belong to a department that does not necessarily equate success with a senior thesis.

Although writers agree on some of the benefits of their work, they also describe the anxiety that theses create.

"I feel in many ways that I haven't given my thesis as much time as I should, and this makes me anxious," says Jeon.

Bryan says, "It's something that is so far away, and it's easy to put off."

"The pressure gets more intense after Christmas break," adds Kaplan. "Then you're faced with a deathly winter and 100 pages to write."

But, as Cohen put it, "The way you learn to laugh at life, that's the way to learn to laugh at vour thesis."