GENERAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Our students receive the most significant part of their doctoral training through the student-mentor relationship, which leads to the PhD dissertation.
The maximum time period allowed for the completion of all requirements for the PhD degree is six years. Students defend and submit their dissertations no later than June 30 of the sixth year in the program.
All students attend on a full-time basis and are required to develop a research project under the supervision of their mentors, resulting in dissertations that report new findings. Once completed, the dissertation is presented and defended.
Students must successfully complete all degree requirements of the program to receive the PhD degree. Satisfactory completion of the Core Course (with a GPA of 3.0 or better), first year journal clubs and seminars, and laboratory rotations are evaluated at the end of the first year in the program.
Thesis Proposal
The Thesis Proposal consists of a written and oral presentation of a research proposal that is based on the thesis work that the student has already begun. This presentation provides the opportunity for the student to organize his/her thoughts and plans for the dissertation project and allows the mentor and Advisory Committee to assess the student's scientific progress. Each student presents the Thesis Proposal by March 31 of the second year in the program.
Dissertation Defense
Students are generally expected to defend their dissertations during the fifth year in the program, but no later than the end of the sixth year after matriculation.
Advancement to Candidacy
Students are automatically advanced to candidacy after the successful presentation of their thesis proposals. Each student must successfully complete both the written and oral parts before being advanced to candidacy.
