Advisory Committee Responsibilities

An adviser with compatible research interests and willingness to advise the student is identified prior to the student’s acceptance into the EPC Program. However, new graduate students are encouraged to visit with various faculty members concerning opportunities for thesis research activities. Students may switch advisers if done early in their program and if he/she obtains consent of all individuals involved. Each student should take the initiative to meet with their faculty adviser on a regular, perhaps weekly, basis to ensure adequate communications and to determine the make up of the advisory committee.

The advisory committee for a Master of Science degree typically consists of at least three faculty, all of whom must be members of the Graduate Faculty. Check with your faculty adviser to determine if the department of affiliation has any policies on the composition of the advisory committee, for example, a policy specifying that at least two committee members be from the department. The roles and responsibilities of the advisory committee are as follows:

• Review the graduate student’s plan of study;
  
  
• Consult with and advise the graduate student on research approach, techniques, findings, and reports;
  
  
• Review and approve the graduate student’s thesis research project proposal before substantial steps are implemented to do the research;
  
  
• Review the graduate student’s thesis and suggest improvements;
  
  
• Monitor and evaluate the student’s progress in meeting the course and research requirements for the degree; and,
  
  
• Conduct the final oral examination (thesis defense) for the candidate’s degree program.

A two-thirds majority vote of the advisory committee members is required to approve the research proposal, pass examinations, and approve the thesis.