Path to Degree
The following is a representative timeline for the Ph.D. Program in Biology. Individual timelines will vary according to research project, student productivity, etc.
Academic Year 1
- Up to 30 credits earned
- Course credits include core curriculum + research lab rotations
- Up to 3 lab rotations during the academic year
- January workshop in teaching
- January peer mentoring event
- Online and in-person course in Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)
- Preparation and journal reading for the First Exam
- Mentor selection in May
- First Exam in June
Academic Year 2
- Up to 30 credits earned
- Course credits include elective courses + independent research + weekly colloquium
- Select 3-person advisory committee
- Conduct preliminary studies for doctoral thesis project
- Schedule Second Exam (Thesis Proposal defense: written + oral) for Spring
- Undergraduate teaching: 1-2 lab sections/semester for up to 2 semesters/year (teaching one college course or lab section in each of two semesters is a Program requirement)
- Apply for Doctoral Student Research Grant (optional)
Academic Year 3
- Second Exam (if not completed in Spring of Year 2) must be completed by Spring of this year
- Attend weekly research colloquium
- Meet with 3-person advisory committee (yearly from now until graduation)
- Conduct doctoral thesis research
- Attend national or international conference to present research findings
- Undergraduate teaching (if requested by mentor)
- Apply for Doctoral Student Research Grant (optional)
Academic Year 4
- Meet with 3-person advisory committee
- Conduct doctoral thesis research
- Undergraduate teaching (if requested by mentor)
- Apply for Dissertation Fellowship (optional)
Academic Year 5
- Conduct doctoral thesis research
- Undergraduate teaching (if requested by mentor)
- Prepare research findings for publication
- Attend national or international conference to present research findings
- Write thesis and schedule Thesis Defense (Third Exam)
