Progression

Students are expected to progress through the graduate degree program following a prescribed timeline and in a prescribed order from initial course work and rotations to ultimately filing a thesis.

Please refer to the Graduate Division policy on student progress for university guidelines on acceptable progress.

If in need of accommodations please refer to the Graduate Division Accommodations Process as well as to the Office of Student Disability Services.

Academic advising

First years

Academic advisors are available to assist first year students in exploring rotation and curriculum options. First years are required to meet with the pre-assigned academic advisor prior to the start of classes and again prior to Winter and Spring.

Second years

All students are encouraged to identify a second mentor/advisor who can provide both career and scientific mentorship, in addition to your PI.

  • Students should choose a second mentor by the start of their second academic year after joining a lab.
  • The second mentor does not need to be an expert in your research field. Choose a faculty member who you can easily communicate with, since they can be an important outside resource who can provide unbiased and more confidential feedback then often given by thesis committee members.
  • While participation in the program will not be monitored, all students are strongly encouraged to participate.

The path to your PhD degree

Year 1
  • Courses
  • Lab rotations
  • Choose research advisor
Year 2
  • Research
  • Form orals committee
  • Complete oral qualifying exam (by end of 2nd year)
Year 3
  • Research
  • Advancement to Candidacy
  • Form a thesis committee
  • Annual evaluation of progress by thesis committee (by end of spring quarter)
Year 4
  • Research
  • Publish results
  • Annual evaluation of progress by thesis committee (by end of spring quarter)
Year 5
  • Research
  • Publish results
  • Annual evaluation of progress by thesis committee (by end of spring quarter)
  • Complete thesis
  • Exit seminar
  • PhD awarded