Appendix 1. Deadlines For Original Research Proposal/Comprehensive Exam

	Spring Term	Fall Term
Preliminary meeting with students and faculty	Fall semester	As needed
Abstract of Original Research Proposal and Statement of Independence submitted to MCB program office	Spring semester, first day of classes	Fall semester, first day of classes
Examining Committee appointed and abstract distributed	Within two weeks of the first day of classes	Within two weeks of the first day of classes
Examining Committee Chair will notify the student if the abstract is approved	Within ten days of receiving the abstract	Within ten days of receiving the abstract
Date of comprehensive examination (ORP defense) scheduled. The proposal must be circulated at least ten days prior to the examination and cannot be rejected after the fifth day preceding the examination	April 1	November 1
Last possible date to defend ORP	May 15	December 15

*Failure to observe these deadlines is a cause for dismissal from the Program. All extensions must be approved in advance of the stated deadline by the Chair of the Curriculum Committee.