The Research Committee meets with the student at regular intervals to provide direction and support towards the successful completion of the Ph.D. degree. The final dissertation research must include at least one first-author, original paper published in the scientific literature, but dissertations representing three or more papers are not uncommon. As the last step in the graduate program, the student presents a seminar to which all of the faculty and graduate students in the program are invited. Teaching Teaching is a required part of the Ph.D. program. We view it as important training for all students, not only those who plan to pursue an academic career, because all scientists participate in teaching others.
Graduate students teach a total of two semesters.
Most often this is done in the second and third years. Usually students are assigned to be Teaching Assistants in one laboratory course and in one lecture course. In the laboratory course, students direct undergraduates in experiments and assist in preparation. In the lecture course, they conduct section meetings and assist in grading problems sets and examinations. Awards are renewed annually for students who are in good academic standing.