Timeline for Progress Towards the PhD
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Handbook
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Admin. Structure
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Program Assessment Plan
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Timeline for Progress
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New Student Info
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Course Requirements
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Core Curriculum
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Elective Courses
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Doctoral Minors
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Registration
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Lab Rotations
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Thesis Advisor Responsibilities
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Thesis Student Responsibilities
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Thesis Committee
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Curric. Certification
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Preliminary Exam
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Seminar Requirement
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Progress Report
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Thesis Defense
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MD/PhD Program
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Direct Admit Students
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Financial/Insurance
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Generative AI Guidance
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Grievance Policy
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Satisfactory Academic Progress
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Conduct
The timeline for progress towards the PhD guides CMB faculty trainers and students through the process of obtaining a PhD degree. The timeline provides a snapshot of important degree requirements that must be completed each year before obtaining the PhD degree. Specific details and instructions regarding each requirement are provided in the corresponding sections of the CMB Handbook. All forms can be found on the CMB Forms section of the CMB website.
Year 1
Advising and Orientation Week:
- Complete and submit the benefits forms to the CMB Office: by Aug. 24, 2026
- Attend faculty trainer talks and social events during Orientation Week: Aug. 24-Aug 28, 2026
- Meet with Orientation Advisor: Aug. 24-Aug 28, 2026
- Register for fall semester classes: by Sept. 2, 2026
2026-27 Academic Year:
- First day of classes: September 2, 2026
Choose Three Lab Rotations:
- Complete the Lab Rotation Selections survey sent by the CMB Office: by Sept. 4, 2026
- Lab Rotation 1: Sept. 7 – Oct. 2, 2026
- Lab Rotation 2: Oct. 5 – Oct. 30, 2026
- Lab Rotation 3: Nov. 2 – Nov. 27, 2026
- Find more info on Lab Rotations here
Establish a Thesis Lab:
- Complete and submit the Choice of Thesis Lab form to the CMB Office: by Dec. 4 , 2026
- Begin in Thesis Lab: by Dec. 7, 2026
- Register for spring classes and 990 research credits with your Thesis Advisor’s home department by the beginning of the spring semester
Thesis Committee:
- Establish a Thesis Committee: by March 15
- Complete and submit the Thesis Committee Approval form to the CMB Office: by March 15
Curriculum Certification Meeting:
- Schedule Curriculum Certification meeting: by May 17
- Send an email notification with the scheduled date of the Curriculum Certification meeting to the CMB Office: by May 17
- Complete Curriculum Certification meeting and submit the Curriculum Certification form to the CMB Office: by Aug. 31
Year 2
Preliminary Exam:
- Schedule a Preliminary Exam: by May 17
- Send an email with the scheduled date of the Preliminary Exam to the CMB Office: by May 17
- Complete CMB course requirements: by Aug. 31
- Complete Preliminary Exam and submit the Preliminary Exam form to the CMB Office by Aug. 31
- Upon completion of 32 credits, the CMB course requirements, and passing the preliminary exam, students can elect to receive a master’s degree
Seminar Requirement:
- Complete Seminar Requirement and submit the Seminar Requirement form to the CMB Office: by Aug. 31
Year 3, 4, and 5
Progress Report Meeting:
- Schedule Progress Report meeting: by May 17
- Send an email notification with the scheduled date of the Progress Report meeting to the CMB Office: by May 17
- Complete Progress Report meeting and submit the Progress Report form to the CMB Office: by Aug. 31
Seminar Requirement:
- Complete Seminar Requirement and submit the Seminar Requirement form to the CMB Office: by Aug. 31
Final Year
Thesis Defense:
- Meet with Thesis Committee to determine you are ready to move on to the Thesis Defense: a few months prior to the thesis defense (“Six-month meeting”)
- Schedule Thesis Defense: at least three weeks prior to defense date
- Send an email notification with the scheduled date of the Thesis Defense to the CMB Office: at least three weeks prior to defense date
- Complete Thesis Defense and submit all necessary materials to the CMB Office and the Graduate School