During the first semester of residence, the Examination and Certification Committee reviews background course requirements and the New Student Orientation Committee considers a student’s training emphasis area (if known) and helps devise a course of study for the first year. This advising committee also monitors rotations and is available for advice until a thesis adviser is identified. If a student is funded by a training program grant, the student may also be assigned a specific adviser who is representing that program until a thesis adviser is identified.
By the end of the first semester, students will have completed at least 3 research rotations with 3 different faculty or trainers in the program. Students rank their three rotations and the committee assigns students to a rotation laboratory, making every effort to place students in their first or second choice. Thesis advisers are generally selected at the end of the first semester of residence. Deviation from the minimal number of rotations or dates for selection of a thesis adviser will require approval of the advising committee.