All students must schedule seminar (NRSC 798) for credit at least twice for each degree. All graduate students are expected to attend all seminars and participate in the discussions even when they are not enrolled for credit.

For Ph.D. students and M.S. thesis students:

1. The first seminar must be scheduled during the first year of the student's program for each degree. This seminar should present an overview of the student's Research Plan and a description of the planned experimental approach.
2. The second seminar should be scheduled toward the end of the student's program and must be presented within one year of graduation. This seminar is intended to be the exiting or final research seminar. This seminar must be given prior to the final oral examination. Questions and discussion of the research following the presentation will help the student prepare the thesis or dissertation. It is suggested, therefore, that the seminar be scheduled far enough in advance of the oral examination so that suggestions issuing from the seminar discussion may be incorporated into the thesis or dissertation.

For non-thesis M.S. students:

1. Non-thesis M.S. students are required to write two scholarly papers in partial fulfillment of the degree requirements, and to present a seminar on the topic of each paper. These seminars should be scheduled and presented during the regular schedule of NRSC 798.
2. These two seminars must be scheduled during two different semesters. Both seminars must be given prior to the final written and oral examination. Questions and discussion following each presentation will help the student prepare the scholarly papers. It is suggested, therefore, that the seminars be scheduled far enough in advance of the written and oral exams so that suggestions issuing from the seminar discussion may be incorporated into the final text of the scholarly papers.

Download the 28 page Graduate Program Handbook in PDF format (152kb). You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view it. If you would like more information about the Graduate Program, please contact the NRSL Graduate Coordinator at NRSLGC@umail.umd.edu.