All students will take a two course sequence HD 42400 Trial Research Seminar beginning in the spring of the first year and concluding in the fall of the second year.  The Trial Research Seminars will launch students into their research projects and will guide them from the beginning to the completion of those projects.

After the beginning of the first quarter of Trial Research the student defines a research project, which may be short term or small scale, or part of a larger project being conducted by a faculty member.  The student is strongly encouraged to choose an advisor whose interests are appropriate for the student’s project.

Students will enroll in the second part of the Trial Research Seminar.

Winter Quarter of the Second Year

During this quarter, the student should continue working with the faculty advisor to complete the Trial Research Project and to consider selection of an additional faculty member as a second reader.  Ideally, this individual should be available to attend the May faculty meeting.   The chair of the student evaluations committee and the HD chair will select a third reader.  The second and third readers may or may not be members of HD.

Three copies of the written report of the Trial Research Project should be distributed by the student to his or her three readers, and one additional report should be handed in to the department office. 

April 10 through April 30

The student should arrange a suitable time for the trial research hearing, which must be held before May first.  At the hearing, the student will make a brief presentation on the project and findings and receive detailed comments on his or her work.

After the Hearing

The faculty will meet in May to formally evaluate each student.  This evaluation will determine whether the student is to be allowed to continue studies leading to the Ph.D. Financial Aid recommendations will also be made based on this review.