How are assignments to research advisors made?
During the fall semester, first year graduate students hear presentations by all of the research active faculty. Once this series of talks is complete, students are able to petition to join faculty groups. Generally students will talk with the faculty in their major area. Once the student has made their first choice, he or she will talk with that faculty member. If the faculty member is willing the accept the student, he or she will sign the research advisor form. Final approval of the choice is made by the Director of Graduate Studies. We generally strive to accommodate students’ first choices in research advisor, but occasionally limited space or funding may mean that students do not get their first choice. We hope that students joining our program will have several faculty with whom they’d be interested in working.
