Program Timeline

First Year (BBSP)

• Complete three BBSP laboratory rotations.  

• Select a research advisor by the BBSP deadline.  

• Complete the Preliminary Written Examination. 

Second Year

• Enroll in BIOC 710 Scientific Communication (grant writing). 

• Form a thesis committee during the spring semester.  

• Complete the Preliminary Written Examination (if not completed after year one). 

• Complete the Comprehensive Oral Examination link to page when created. 

Third Year

• Hold the first annual thesis committee meeting.  

Fourth Year

• Hold the second annual thesis committee meeting.  

Fifth Year and Beyond

Students are strongly encouraged to complete degree requirements by the end of the fifth year and hold the Final Oral Defense of the written dissertation. The average time to degree in Biochemistry and Biophysics is approximately 5.5 years, and students are generally expected to complete the PhD by the end of the sixth year.  

• Continue holding annual thesis committee meetings through the fifth year.  

• Students who have not yet published a first-authored paper should provide the thesis committee with a timeline and plan for completing any remaining research and publication requirements.  

• Beginning in the sixth year, thesis committee meetings are required every six months. Students should provide an updated completion timeline and publication plan at each meeting.  

• Students entering a seventh year must meet with the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) and their research advisor(s) to develop a detailed degree-completion plan. A Statement of Work and timeline must be approved by the DGS and thesis committee. This plan may serve as the basis for whether a student continues in the program after at the end of year 7. The department recognizes that unusual circumstances can occur, and thus, the DGS and Chair will review each student’s situation in a case-by-case basis to determine if going beyond the 7th year will be allowed.