The Committee is There to Help

The idea of a thesis committee may seem intimidating, but the truth is having a committee will increase a student’s chance of acing his thesis. A committee is a resource, a guide to help a student produce a properly researched, planned and written thesis. Furthermore, a committee is the thesis advisor’s indispensable partner. A thesis advisor may be knowledgeable in one area of the thesis, but can be completely oblivious in one. By having a thesis committee, both the thesis advisor and student can have access to a bigger pool of intellectual expertise.

The student usually sets the meeting with the committee that happens every six to twelve months. Meetings, however, can be more frequent when concerns about the project begin to mount. Committee members should always make themselves available in case the student need to discuss serious matters related to the thesis.

A committee is usually composed of at least two other professors whose field of expertise is appropriate for the thesis’ topic. The thesis advisor plays the key role in forming the committee; thus, usually, making him the head. He talks to colleagues who have the required knowledge and invites them to join the committee.