Thesis research is initiated and conducted with the major professor. A student must be registered for Research credits in order to use the facilities of the University for research. A grade of Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory is recorded for all research credits. The written thesis should be of high caliber and be written in a style and format appropriate for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. M.S. students are encouraged, but not required, to have submitted or published one primary or coauthored manuscript in a peer-revived journal prior to graduation.