Appendix 5. MCB Calendar of Deadlines, Ph.D. Candidates

First Year

Mid-September – Mid-December: First Laboratory Rotation

December: Presentation of First Rotation Poster

Mid-December – Mid-February: Second Laboratory Rotation

February: Presentation of Second Rotation Talk

Mid-February – Mid-May: Third Laboratory Rotation

Mid-April: Choice of dissertation laboratory reported to MCB Director

May: Presentation of Third Rotation Poster

Late May (last day of Teaching Assistantship appointment): Work begins in dissertation laboratory

Summer: Meet with OPD and begin preparing Fellowship Application

Second Year

Early September: Dissertation Laboratory oral presentation

October: Submit Fellowship Application

Fall: Meet about ORP

Spring Semester First Day of Classes: Abstract and Statement of Independence for Original Research Proposal submitted to MCB Office

February: ORP committee appointed, and student notified within the following 10 days as to whether abstract is approved

April 1: Date of examination scheduled

Not less than 10 days prior to scheduled date of exam: written proposal is distributed to committee

Less than 5 days prior to scheduled date of exam: written proposal can no longer be rejected

May 15: Last possible date to defend Original Research Proposal; ORP Final Report signed by committee members and submitted to MCB Program office along with one copy of Proposal in final form; Results of ORP/Advancement to Candidacy reported to Graduate School by MCB Program office

Third Year

September 30: Dissertation Committee (4 members, including P.I. of dissertation laboratory as Chair and at least one outside member) approved by MCB Director and submitted to Graduate School

August 31 (end of summer after 3rd year): Dissertation Prospectus formally approved by Dissertation Committee. Copy with original signatures of Committee and Graduate Program Director is submitted to MCB Office (to be forwarded to the Graduate School). Graduate School requires submission at least 7 months prior to the Final Oral Examination.

Fourth and Fifth Years

Data Defense two months prior to final defense

MCB Office notified of final defense date, time, location and title one month prior to final defense.

Final defense seminar on dissertation work presented.

Observe Graduate School deadlines for final submissions required to complete formal degree. Ph.D. normally completed within FIVE YEARS from date of matriculation in MCB Program.

Graduation Deadlines

All requirements for any advanced degrees to be awarded at a given degree-granting period must be completed by the appropriate deadline, as per the Graduate School. It is the student’s responsibility to fill out all necessary forms and meet all requirements set by the Graduate School for graduation. See the Graduate School Handbook and Graduate School Bulletin. For more information, contact the Graduate School at 545-0722.