Selecting a Thesis Supervisor

Deadline: August 31 of summer in which you have completed Biology Update classes and Secondary Biology Lab Curricula

Selecting a Thesis Supervisor/Research Mentor is an important step, and it deserves careful consideration. Several aspects of this decision should be kept in mind.

This decision is a mutual one between a student and a professor. Your thesis supervisor will be responsible for your training through a mentoring relationship. It may not be possible for you to have your first choice of an advisor.

It is very important that you and the professor discuss the expectations each has for the thesis research and that you both agree on general lab policies that effect the "working environment". Good communication is critical to a healthy relationship!

Tell your thesis supervisor if you have stipend support.

For your convenience, we have additional tips on what to say to a potential thesis supervisor.

To help you locate a research mentor, please visit BioGate, a handy database which will pinpoint faculty members involved in areas of research of interest to you.

Once you have selected your Thesis Supervisor/Research Mentor, you must formalize this in writing by completing the Thesis Supervisor form. Return the signed form to Ellie Warder and tell the Head of the Graduate Studies Committee (Lisa Elfring) who your Thesis Supervisor will be. Have this completed by Aug. 31 after you have completed all the first year core courses (Biology Update 1 & 2 and Secondary Biology Lab Curricula).

A problem with this summer-oriented degree program is the loss of contact between students and their thesis supervisors. It is essential for you to maintain contact with your thesis supervisor at least once during the Fall and Spring semesters. In the late Spring prior to your 2nd summer of research, discuss your plans for the coming summer with your thesis supervisor by email, in person, or by phone. Write up a synopsis of your plan and send/fax/e-mail a copy to your committee members and Ellie Warder. The deadline for submitting this report is April 30.

The University of Arizona
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics
General Biology Program for Secondary Teachers
warder@email.arizona.edu