A typical schedule for a PhD program candidate is shown below. For a detailed description of the academic requirements, policies, and procedures, see the PhD Requirements page.
Typical Ph.D. Schedule
(please note the change from 2, one-semester rotations to 3 rotations during the academic year, beginning in Fall 2016)
First Semester
- Plant Biology core survey course (PLANTBIO 891B)
- one or two PB program-related elective courses
- first rotation chosen by week 3 of fall semester
- Rotation I: Week 3 to end of December
- PB seminars and discussions
Wintersession
- Rotation II begins: January 1 to Friday before spring break
Second Semester
- Plant Biology core proposal writing course (PB II)
- one or two PB program-related elective courses
- Rotation III: Monday of spring break to end of spring semester
- PB seminars and discussions
- journal club
- Preliminary comprehensive exam (part I): completed with grade of B- or better in PB core courses
Third Semester
- one PB program-related course
- journal club
- PB seminars and discussions
Fourth Semester
- form dissertation committee
- journal club
- PB seminars and discussions
- Preliminary comprehensive exam (part II) : Complete defense of original research proposal on planned dissertation project
Fifth Semester and after
- Dissertation Prospectus submitted to Graduate School by end of sixth semester (must be at least 7 months prior to defense)
- journal club not required after year four
- PB seminars and discussions every semester
