Graduate Catalog

Contents
Catalog Links

Forming the Research Committee

Following research project allocation and Main Advisor appointment, a research committee must be formed for each student. While the Advisors assume primary responsibility for monitoring and directing the student’s research, the role of the committee is to evaluate the student’s progress, provide comments and finally, decide on the recommendation to award the graduate degree. The committee is formed in consultation with the student and typically consists of the Main Advisor, Co-Advisor(s) and two additional full-time KU faculty members who are familiar with the student’s area of study. Committee members are recommended by the student’s Main Advisor, appointed by the relevant Department Chair and the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, and approved by the AVP of Graduate Studies. The following guidelines apply:

MA Students

  • MA students are required to complete a Thesis Workshop course and the student’s research is supervised by his/her Advisor(s).

MSc Students

  • The Research Supervisory Committee (RSC) should be formed within a month of the confirmed research project allocation.
  • The student’s Main Advisor serves as the Chair of the RSC and he/she is responsible for leading meetings of the RSC.
  • One of the two additional RSC members must be KU faculty from the student’s home department.

PhD Students

  • The Research Supervisory Committee (RSC) should be formed following the confirmed research project allocation and latest by end of the semester prior to the PhD Research Proposal Examination (RPE).
  • The student’s Main Advisor serves as Chair and he/she is responsible for leading all meetings of the RSC, including Research Proposal Examination (RPE), with the exception of the student’s final dissertation defense.
  • One of the two additional RSC members must be KU faculty from the student’s home department.
  • An additional external member of the RSC may be selected as follows:
    • Faculty from a department at KU, a national or a regional university, or an industry expert. In this case, the member must possess a Doctoral degree.
    • Faculty from a reputable international university. Such members are likely, but not necessarily, drawn from departments working on collaborative projects with KU.