Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC)

1. TAC Committee Composition:

• The Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC) should consist of 3 to 4 experienced scientists (including the doctoral student's advisor).
• Other than the supervisor, 2TAC members must come from outside of the student ‘s research group, in order to foster interdisciplinarity.
• It is not a requirement that all of the members of the TAC hold the position of professor. However, it is
  recommended that at least two members are professors.
• TAC members must not necessarily be members of the LMU Faculty of Biology.
• TAC members should be willing to remain on the TAC for the duration of the student's studies, when possible.
• All TAC members should be present at each TAC meeting.
• An important point of consideration: TAC members are not necessarily those who will serve on the
  evaluation board for the thesis defense.

2. TAC Responsibilities:

• The TAC exists to assist doctoral students by monitoring the pace and progress of a student's work and advising the student about the development of their research project, hereby complementing the role of the student's direct supervisor. This should occur on a yearly basis and include evaluating whether and to what extent the scientific approach, the scope of the proposal, and the research topic(s) are sufficient and suitable for a doctoral thesis project.
• With respect to the above mentioned evaluations and assessments, the TAC can (and is encouraged to)
  recommend changes to a student's proposal, and may also recommend a timeline for accomplishing defined
  goals necessary for completing the thesis research in time.
• Additionally, the TAC may advise students with regards to career planning and professional development.
• Members of the TAC may eventually mediate discussions between students and supervisors.
• Please read the full version of the TAC regulations, available here!

Students should  arrange an initial meeting with their TAC members during which; the scope, impact, feasibility and associated risks of their project should be discussed. The first TAC-meeting should take place within the first six months of the doctoral studies. And then follow subsequently, every year.

This form (pdf) should be filled out at each TAC meeting and sent to the LSM-office.