There are several optional components running throughout the RMC calendar which research students have the opportunity to sign up to early in the autumn term. These include the Drawing Research Group, which meets twice per term, and the Critical Forum, which meets once per term.  In addition, all Fine Art research students are invited to attend the Fine Art Research Programme, which meets every Thursday afternoon. There is a series of three optional sessions during the autumn term designed to introduce you to the extensive range of research resources and specialist assistance available to research students though the RCA Library. In addition, a number of supplementary optional training sessions are organised each year in response to research student feedback and requests. In 2007-08 these have included a humanities-specific thesis models seminar, an applied art-specific writing seminar, a blog training workshop, a full RefWorks training workshop, and a database training workshop.