The following table from the Graduate Student Handbook gives a timeline for graduate students that entered the program fall 2019 and later.
This timeline reflects the milestones for a typical full-‐time graduate student in the Ph.D. chemistry program that you and your advisor should keep in mind. Adjustments to the schedule can be made for non-‐academic, extenuating circumstances (e.g. leave of absence, illness, pregnancy, parenting, etc.).
Please use the following checklists to guide your progress through the program. Click on the appropriate checklist for a printable PDF version.
For more specific details please refer to your handbook.
The following table from the Graduate Student Handbook gives a timeline for graduate students that entered the program fall 2018 and earlier.
This timeline reflects the milestones for a typical full-‐time graduate student in the Ph.D. chemistry program that you and your advisor should keep in mind. Adjustments to the schedule can be made for non-‐academic, extenuating circumstances (e.g. leave of absence, illness, pregnancy, parenting, etc.).
Green (Standard) Zone
Staying on this course will yield a degree in 5.0 years or less. This time-‐to-‐degree is a departmental goal. To stay on track in the Green Zone, you must pass the comprehensive exam before November 1st of Year 3. In addition, you should pass the proposal defense by the end of Year 4 and at least four weeks before the Dissertation Examination.
Finally, before November 1st of Year 4, you will be required to schedule a meeting with your thesis committee during which you will present an “exit plan” towards graduation. You will be required to submit a written summary of the exit plan for the approval of all members of your committee. One thesis committee meeting will be required annually thereafter. Following the comprehensive exam, you should apply for candidacy as soon as possible. Once your committee is approved by the Dean, changing it is simple and fast.
Yellow (Cautionary) Zone
If you are in the Yellow Zone, you should accelerate your progress in order to get back on course to the Green Zone. Requests to extend the deadline for taking the comprehensive exam after December of Year 3 should be submitted to both the GSAC Chair and Director of Graduate Studies by September 15th of that year.
If you are concerned about your lack of progress, you should consult with your advisor and dissertation committee. It may also be helpful to consult the academic division chair, the GSAC chair, the Director of Graduate Studies, and/or the Assistant Chair.
Red (Danger) Zone
If you are in the Red Zone, you are at risk for formal action. You will receive a formal letter outlining the dates by which certain milestones should be completed and the consequences that will occur in the event that these expectations are not met.
In addition, if you have not scheduled your thesis defense by Year 6, you will be required to schedule an additional thesis committee meeting to discuss an exit plan towards graduation.
Student Timeline
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Apply for candidacy |
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Proposal defense |
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Precomp meeting |
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Comprehensive exam |
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Exit plan meeting |
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Apply for candidacy |
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Proposal defense |
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Dissertation defense |
A list version of the timeline is:
Year | Semester | Action |
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First | Fall | Take two core courses Choose research advisor |
Spring | Take two core courses Pass preliminary exam |
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Second | Fall | Choose comprehensive committee |
Spring | Submit research objective and research plan Pre-comprehensive meeting |
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Third | Fall | Complete comprehensive exam and apply for Candidacy |
Fourth | Fall | Yearly overview meeting |
Fall or Spring | Prepare and present research proposal | |
Fifth | Fall | Yearly overview meeting (as needed) |
Please use the following checklists to guide your progress through the program. Click on the appropriate checklist for a printable PDF version.
For more specific details please refer to your handbook.