Graduate Advising

On arrival in the department, each student meets with the members of the Committee on Graduate Student Affairs (COGSA). Three or more faculty members of this committee will serve as the first year student advisory committee (SAC). In fulfilling this role the Committee will 1) check for possible deficiencies in the student's background and suggest course work or research to correct these deficiencies; 2) be available for consultation with the student on any matter throughout the first year; and 3) evaluate the student's progress and eligibility for continued enrollment.

Students are encouraged to call a meeting of the committee whenever questions about their graduate careers arise. However, the committee is obliged to meet: 1) Before the student's first registration upon arrival in the department to review the student's background, plan courses, and discuss the core course program, first year teaching assignments, and laboratory rotations, and 2) After the Preliminary Examination at the end of the second semester, to assess the student's progress and eligibility for continued enrollment, and to discuss the student's proposed work for the summer term and the following year. The student affairs office will assist in scheduling all meetings required by the Graduate Program. After choosing a laboratory for thesis work and passing the Comprehensive Exam (generally in the second year), the student, with the advice and consultation of the thesis advisor, picks a Thesis Advisory Committee, which replaces COGSA in its advisory role.