Procedure for Selection of Research Director

Seminar/Colloquia Attendance

Students are urged to avail themselves of departmental seminars and divisional colloquia to assist in learning about research activities and opportunities in the Department. In particular, they should attend any special divisional colloquia in their area(s) of interest which are organized to acquaint students with the divisional research programs and faculty.

Faculty Research Talks

In mid-September, the department organizes a series of short talks by all research-active faculty. These talks, give at night, are designed to introduce the new graduate students to the diversity of research within the department and are meant to assist these students in the selection of a research group. Attendance is mandatory for all new graduate students.

Student Interviews with Faculty

Prior to selection of an advisor, students are required to interview at least six faculty members. To facilitate this, a signature sheet will be given to each student at the first faculty research talks. This form must be returned with at least six faculty signatures to the graduate secretary, Sonjia Payne, no later than November 4 (or April 1 for students entering in Spring) to ensure adequate time for a considered decision. When the student has obtained all the required signatures, the student should then return for further consultation with the faculty member in whose research group they wish to work. The completed form indicating the choice of Research Director (s) should be forwarded through the Division Coordinator to the Department Chair for final approval. A student cannot be considered a member of a research group until all these steps have been completed. Choosing an advisor is the most important decision a student will make in graduate school, and it should be done with careful deliberation.

Timing

All students entering in the Fall semester will be required to complete the above procedure by December 15. Students entering in the Spring semester will be required to complete this process by April 15 of the semester that they enter. Students failing to complete this process by the specified deadlines will run the risk of not getting into the group of their choice or of not being eligible for summer support. The respective divisions should process the student requests as soon after the deadlines as possible.

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