The Path to your PhD degree

Year 1	Attend graduate program orientation Coursework (foundation core plus other related courses) Lab rotations (one per semester, with the option of a third, if necessary) Identify research advisor Complete IDP Annual progress evaluation
Year 2	Choose discipline track Coursework (track-specific core courses, electives) Research Appoint qualifying guidance committee Complete IDP Annual progress evaluation Complete written qualifying exam (late June)
Year 3	Research Complete oral qualifying exam (by end of Fall semester) Appoint dissertation committee Annual presentation in Graduate Student Seminar series Complete IDP Annual evaluation of progress by dissertation committee
Year 4	Research Publish results and present at conferences Annual presentation in weekly student seminar series Complete IDP Annual evaluation of progress by dissertation committee
Year 5	Research Publish results and present at conferences Annual presentation in weekly student seminar series Complete IDP Annual evaluation of progress by dissertation committee Complete thesis Defend thesis/Exit seminar PhD awarded