Research Advisor. The research advisor is the primary faculty member with whom the student works and who provides mentoring in research, guidance in the selection of courses, and assistance in preparation and modification of the degree plan, and general career guidance. The research advisor supervises and must sign off on the student’s qualifying proposals and papers, and other documents submitted to faculty committees. The Research Advisor is also responsible for conducting an annual evaluation of the student’s academic and research performance. The Research Advisor’s review is included in the faculty’s annual review of doctoral student performance which determines retention and funding. In most cases, the research advisor will become the chair of the student’s dissertation committee and will have responsibility, along with the dissertation committee in guiding the student through completion of the dissertation. All new students, upon entry, have selected or been assigned a research advisor. Occasionally, a student may wish to change research advisors. There are many reasons a student may seek a change. But, changes should be carefully considered since starting in a new lab or new area can result in delays in meeting deadlines. You should seek the advice of your Program Head or the Associate Xxxx before initiating a change. There are also situations in which a research advisor may no longer wish to serve as a student’s advisor. Whether by student choice or faculty decision, a student who at any time lacks a research advisor for a semester will be dismissed from the program.
Research Advisor. The student will select her/his research advisor from among the MCB program faculty before the end of the second semester in the program. The selected faculty advisor must have graduate faculty status in the home department of the student advisee. If the faculty member does not have graduate status in the student’s home department, the student must apply to and be admitted to the home department in which the faculty has such an affiliation. Prior to selection of an advisor, the home department representative to the MCB Graduate Committee will serve in that capacity. Students in the Departments of Biological Sciences/ Biomedical Sciences may, without penalty, perform lab rotations in qualified laboratories prior to the selection of the dissertation advisor. Once an advisor has been selected, all students in Biological Sciences/ Biomedical Sciences, in conjunction with the advisor, must submit Dissertation Advisor Form to the MCB program administrative assistant.
Research Advisor. This is the person who will be supervising your research project. This person must be on the graduate faculty roster, but may be in the Department of Biological Sciences or in another department within the University. This person should have research expertise in the field, has responsibility for your day-t0-day supervision of your activities, and in combination with your academic advisor, will assign a grade for your research each semester.
