Are Ph.D. students limited to a narrow set of research topics, or can I influence the choice of my topic and its overall direction?
Much, indeed most, of the research in the department is faculty-initiated. The faculty write research proposals, start centers and conduct research in their areas of interest and focus; the interests of our current faculty are generally covered in the list provided elsewhere. However, the list is always evolving, as are the particular projects within and between the major research domains. Often this evolution is sparked by a new faculty hire, often by the interests of our students. We encourage our students to think independently and creatively about their research — this is part of the Ph.D. training process. Nevertheless, our students must work within the limits of available resources, both intellectual and financial, to accomplish their goals. Most Ph.D. students are supported on existing research projects (these projects are often new, but they are typically based on proposals written prior to the student’s arrival). Students working on these projects usually have to help fulfill
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