5. Advisement As early as possible in their first semester, students should meet with the department faculty members working in their general area of research or technical interest with the purpose of deciding a preference for a thesis/dissertation advisor. On reaching mutual agreement with a faculty member on thesis advisement the student should so notify the department graduate office. The advisor must be a member of the Graduate School Faculty. Prior to selection of an advisor, the Director of Graduate Studies will serve as advisor. Students are urged to select an advisor by the end of their first semester if at all possible. Students are encouraged to actively seek an advisor. Students are required to confer regularly with their advisors, who must approve all course selections as well as provide thesis or project supervision. Students may change advisors only with permission of the Director of Graduate Studies. Advisement by non-MAE faculty: Non-MAE faculty can serve as committee members, provided they have a Graduate School appointment. If a non-MAE faculty member is to serve as the principal advisor, this must be approved in advance by the Graduate Director according to MAE policy. In such a case, the other committee members must be MAE faculty. If appropriate to the research effort, additional members beyond the minimum number may be added.