Roles of the Thesis Committee

First Reader

The first reader, or Thesis Director, will oversee student projects from its inception to its final form. This will be the primary person for content, organization, and presentation.

General responsibilities include:

  1. Steering students to a topic that involves original research and current literature
  2. Helping students obtain necessary supplies/equipment
  3. Providing training for needed techniques
  4. Guiding students with procedures and research schedule
  5. Obtaining IRB approval
  6. Arranging appropriate number of contact hours per week
  7. Attending student defenses
    • First readers should receive multiple drafts throughout the semester
    • First readers will moderate the defense
  8. Submitting an “S” at the end of the first semester, and final grades for both UNIV 401/402 after the defense

Second Reader

The second reader has the following general responsibilities:

  1. Offering comments on proposals
  2. Reviewing and approving progress reports
  3. Supporting student projects throughout the entirety of the project
  4. Attending student defenses
    • Second readers will receive a final draft of the student’s thesis before the defense
    • Second readers will provide signatures on final thesis submissions

Third Reader

The third reader essentially has two major commitments:

  1. Conducting one meeting per semester with all assigned students (this can be in person or through Zoom)
    • Third readers can reach out to students through doodlepoll or signupgenius at least a few weeks before presentations are meant to happen
    • Third readers are expected to provide an outside opinion related to student projects
    • Student presentations will be typically 5-8 minutes, going over essential research questions, current progress, and anticipated steps
  2. Attending student defenses
    • Third readers will receive a final draft of the student’s thesis before the defense
    • Third readers are expected to prepare questions and provide concrete feedback on the final thesis
    • A Defense Report Form will be sent out, which need to be submitted to the URP office
    • Third readers will provide signatures on final thesis submissions