Expected Accomplishments (by year in program)
Normal progress toward the degree means that each student is expected to move through a series of milestones necessary to obtain the PhD at a reasonable pace and at the proper level of performance.
Under normal circumstances, students in the Biological Sciences should be able to earn the PhD in less than 6 years.
The program strives to provide sufficient guidance and intellectual support so each student can advance to candidacy and complete a high quality dissertation within this time.
Year 1
- Participate in Boot Camp
- Participate in the Orientation Seminar Graduate School Fundamentals
- Complete Formal Coursework: Core Sequence (3 courses); elective courses (2); Conduct 4 Laboratory Rotations
- Select Thesis Advisor and begin Thesis Research
- Take Comprehensive Exam by June 30 of Year 1
Year 2
- Select Thesis Advisor and begin Thesis Research
- Participate in at least 1 Graduate Research Colloquium
- Participate in Bioethics Course
- Fulfill first of 3 Teaching Experiences (TA for one-quarter)
- Select Core Thesis Committee
- Schedule Thesis Proposition Examination by June 30 of Year 2
Year 3
- Continue Thesis Research
- Participate and present in Graduate Research Colloquium for at least 1 quarter
- Fulfill second 1-quarter Teaching Experience
- Conduct annual Evaluation Meeting with Core Thesis Committee, or in some cases, advance to Candidacy
Year 4
- Continue Thesis Research
- Participate and present in Graduate Research Colloquium for at least 1 quarter
- Fulfill last of 3 1-quarter Teaching Experiences
- Select remaining members of Thesis Committee
- Advance to Candidacy meeting at Annual Meeting with Thesis Committee
Year 5
- Complete Thesis Research
- Conduct Pre-Defense Thesis Evaluation Meeting at annual meeting with Thesis Committee
- Prepare Thesis
- Defend Thesis
