This part of the course is designed to assist students in making the transition from interested observers of research to active participants. It culminates with the writing of a summer research proposal that is submitted for review and critique during the spring semester. Directed Readings on Research Topics, the goal of which is to allow the students to gain familiarity with a specific area of research by reading and discussion with an experienced investigator. This experience helps students to identify an area of interest and an advisor. Each student participates in at least one, but not more than three, directed readings during the fall semester.
Students choose topics of interest from a list submitted by participating faculty members.
Because the purpose of the Directed Readings is to stimulate interest rather than to provide in-depth familiarity or skills acquisition, this activity is not graded. However, advisors will request verbal evaluation of the readings from each student. Laboratory Research and Publication. Students are free to choose an advisor as early as the time of admission. However, each student should have selected an advisor by the end of the first school year in the Program.