TA Appointments Teaching assistants support the instructional program of the department by helping with laboratory preparations, conducting laboratory or discussion sections, grading exams, supervising student projects, and offering occasional lectures. Research assistants conduct experiments under the direction of their advisor. Most graduate students appointments are half-time and students on formal appointment receive stipends on an annual basis. Appointments are continued for a minimum of two years for M.S. students and three years for Ph.D. students, assuming satisfactory performance and the maintenance of at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Resident tuition is also waived for students on state-funded assistantships.
Students funded by grants receive an extra stipend to cover the costs of tuition.
Conducting original research is an important component of graduate student education. Student research is guided by the major professor and the thesis committee. A major professor is usually identified prior to admission and a full committee is established by the end of the first semester. The members of the committee help plan the student's research project, program of study, and they administer the preliminary and final exams. Students in the Ph.D. program must complete written and oral preliminary exams.