Students are expected to be actively involved in research throughout the entire time they are enrolled in the program. To facilitate this, students are assigned to a research advisor upon their admission into the program. Students may change their research advisor, by mutual agreement, at the end of their first year and any time thereafter. Research advisors provide annual assessments of students' research activities, and satisfactory performance is required in order for students to remain in good standing in the program and continue to receive financial assistance.