In order to find a Project Advisor, it is crucial to meet the faculty and learn more about their research interests. This is a high-priority item! Fortunately, all of the faculty are very approachable, and if they like to talk about anything, it is their research! Start attending research seminars, group meetings, and departmental colloquia as soon as possible. In late October, the ECE Graduate Student Council hosts a series of open forums discussing the various research groups and their personalities. In early November, the faculty post a list of suggested Elec 599 First Year Projects for the coming spring. Discuss potential projects with the faculty.
Special Note to the ELEC 599 Student:
The Graduate Committee appreciates that each student has a range of
research interests. Therefore, to make sure that each of you finds a
good match for an ELEC 599 Project Advisor and topic, please submit a
list ranking your top three preferences for advisor and project. For
example:
In addition to ranking your preferences, please elaborate on why you are drawn to the particular projects and which of your strengths will be especially well-suited to the projects. You can submit a long list of preferences, but make sure that you list at least three different faculty members. Please submit this list to the Graduate Committee by 5PM on the last day of classes in December. You will hear from the Graduate Committee regarding your advisor match by the last day of exams.
Keep in mind that there may be strong demand for certain advisors and that it may be impossible for everyone to get their first choice. Fortunately, however, there is considerable overlap between the faculty's research interests, and new collaborations are always emerging.
The Project Advisor does not have to be the eventual MS/PhD Thesis Advisor. While this will usually be the case, many successful Rice students have switched research areas after their first year, including Rob Butera, now on the faculty at Georgia Tech, Mahesh Varanasi, now on the faculty at the University of Colorado-Boulder, Bassam Bamieh, now on the faculty at the University of California at Santa Barbara, and many more.
The Project Advisor does not have to be from the ECE department. However, two of the three members of the Committee must be from the department and the minimum three members must be faculty or faculty fellows. The student may have additional members on their committee.
If you have any questions about ELEC 599, don't hesitate to contact any member of the ECE Graduate Committee (Currently Profs. Knightly (Chair), Baraniuk, Clark, Kono, Merenyi, Varman, Zhong).
Back to PhD Program Information
September 2006