Appendix A: Typical Schedule for Ph.D. Candidates (Non-Targeted)

First Semester

• Plant Biology core survey course (PB I)
• One or two PB program-related elective courses
• fall semester rotation chosen by September 30^th
• PB seminars and discussions

Wintersession

• fall semester rotation continues to end of wintersession

Second Semester

• Plant Biology core proposal writing course (PB II)
• one or two PB program-related elective courses
• spring semester rotation
• 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

• journal club
• PB seminars and discussions
• Form dissertation committee
• Preliminary comprehensive exam (part II) : Defense of original research proposal on planned dissertation project completed

Fifth Semester and after

• Dissertation Prospectus submitted to Graduate School by end sixth semester (no later than seven months prior to defending)
• journal club every semester
• PB seminars and discussions every semester