The Path to your PhD degree

Year 1	Attend graduate program orientation Coursework (foundation core plus other related courses) Lab rotations (-one per semester) Identify research advisor Complete IDP, annual student survey Annual progress evaluation
Year 2	Choose discipline track Coursework (track-specific core courses, electives) Research Annual progress evaluation Complete IDP, annual student survey Appoint qualifying guidance committee 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 Annual evaluation of progress by dissertation committee Complete IDP, annual student survey
Year 4	Research Publish results and present at conferences Annual presentation in weekly student seminar series Annual evaluation of progress by dissertation committee Complete IDP, annual student survey
Year 5	Research Publish results and present at conferences Annual presentation in weekly student seminar series Annual evaluation of progress by dissertation committee Complete IDP, annual student survey Complete thesis Exit seminar PhD awarded