Timeline to PhD

First semester

• Attend new student orientations
• Register for NS 600, NS 618, NS 931, and research credits
• Get program approval regarding any background deficiencies (register for NS 510 if needed)
• If no background deficiencies, consider one elective (e.g., STAT 571, BIOCHEM 645)
• Register for research credits (total credits of coursework and research should be 12)
• Complete three 4-week rotations; identify a home lab in December

Second semester

• Continue coursework; register for NS 619 and consider an elective that enhances your research project
• Begin research focusing on learning new techniques and developing a habit of reading the literature in your field
• Form advisory committee (advisor + 2 sufficient at this time)
• Prepare initial IDP; discuss with mentor
• Hold first-year advisory committee meeting prior to first day of Fall; discuss overall coursework plan and general details about research project

• Continue research by setting goals for each semester; continue reading the literature in your field
• Complete teaching experience requirement (usually one semester either TA or learning internship)
• Enroll and attend NS 931, including associated lunches with outside speakers
• Enroll, attend and present in NS 731 Research in Progress Seminar
• Enroll and present in an Emphasis Literature Seminar (NS 881, NS 901, or AS 931); 3 presentations over 3 semesters are required for a letter grade (1 of 3)
• Finalize advisory committee
• Finish coursework
• Update IDP

• Preliminary exam
  • Work with your mentor to set a date for your preliminary exam by the end of Year 2
  • Start drafting your proposal 3 months before your exam
  • Ask lab members other than your mentor to read your proposal 2 months before your exam
  • Develop a 20 minute research presentation on your proposal
  • Hold mock-prelim with lab members and other non-faculty 1 month before exam
  • Request prelim warrant from grad program manager 3 weeks before your exam
  • Distribute your research proposal and IDP to the committee 2 weeks before your exam

• Continue research
• Present your research at a local or national meeting(s)
• Enroll and attend NS 931, including associated lunches with outside speakers
• Enroll, attend and present in NS 731 Research in Progress Seminar
• Enroll and present in an Emphasis Literature Seminar (NS 881, NS 901, or AS 931); 3 presentations over 3 semesters are required for a letter grade (2 of 3)
• Update IDP
• Hold annual advisory committee meeting to discuss research and career development

• Continue research
• Present your research at a local or national meeting(s)
• Enroll and attend NS 931, including associated lunches with outside speakers
• Enroll, attend and present in NS 731 Research in Progress Seminar
• Enroll and present in an Emphasis Literature Seminar (NS 881, NS 901, or AS 931); 3 presentations over 3 semesters are required for a letter grade (3 of 3)
• Update IDP
• Hold annual committee meeting
• Present in NS 931

• Complete research
• Enroll and attend NS 931, including associated lunches with outside speakers
• Review Graduate School Degree Completion Checklist
• Request thesis defense warrant (3 weeks before defense)
• Submit dissertation to committee (2 weeks before defense)
• Hold public defense seminar, followed by closed-door defense
• Deposit dissertation
• Complete exit interview