Advising

The Department of Energy Science and Engineering is committed to providing high-quality academic advising to support MS students in their educational and professional development. Effective advising is a collaborative process that relies on active engagement from both advisor and student. Expectations should be discussed early and revisited periodically to ensure mutual understanding, and both parties are expected to maintain professionalism, accountability, and integrity in the relationship.

At or before the start of graduate study (generally at the beginning of autumn quarter) each student is assigned an advisor: a member of our faculty who provides research guidance and advice on course selection, academic opportunities, and professional pathways. A key early milestone is the MS Program Proposal, which each student completes at the end of their first quarter.

Research-track MS students meet regularly with their advisor, both one-on-one and as part of their research group. When meetings are not feasible, students are expected to stay in touch through other means, such as emailing brief progress updates.

Students are also expected to meet with their advisor during or before the first week of each quarter to agree on the courses they plan to take. Advisors formally approve the study list in person or by email.

The Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) meets with all MS students at the start of their first year and is available throughout the academic year by email and during office hours. The department's student services office is also an integral part of the advising framework: it informs students and advisors about university and departmental requirements, procedures, and opportunities, and maintains official records of advising assignments and approvals. Students are encouraged to consult both the DGS and the student services office for guidance in working with their advisor.

See Graduate Advising for a statement of university policy on graduate advising.

Change of Advisor

The same faculty member is typically expected to serve as the primary advisor throughout the PhD, but students may request a change. Requests must be submitted to the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) and are subject to review and approval by the Graduate Standing Committee. Students who are not in good academic standing are not eligible to request a change. For students in good standing, approval depends on alignment with program requirements and faculty availability.