Applicants applying to the Ecosystem Sustainability or Watershed Science programs are required to identify potential advisors when they apply. Students are only admitted to the program if a faculty member chooses to accept them as an advisee due to the research-focused nature of our degrees.
(Applicants to the Professional Science Master’s in Ecosystem Science and Sustainability do not need to identify a faculty advisor.)
What is the role of a faculty advisor?
How to find an advisor:
- Peruse faculty profiles and research being done in the department. Identify faculty members whose interests align with yours. Read their recent publications for further information about their research.
- Contact potential advisors with a brief email that states: (Do not be intimidated by this step. Faculty expect these types of emails)
- Your name
- Your interest in joining their research lab
- Inquire if they are accepting new graduate students
- If they are accepting students, arrange a meeting, either in-person or via phone or video conference call.
Questions to ask a potential advisor (in no particular order):
- What are your active projects and what would my role be if I joined your lab?
- What kind of funding is available for my position (teaching assistantships, research assistantships)?
- Will my summer salary be covered?
- What meetings/conferences will I attend?
- How will I receive feedback?
- Do you have additional requirements of your students (ie. attending working groups, additional coursework, etc.)?
- What skills (programming with R, additional courses, etc.) should I acquire before I apply/begin the program?