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1^st Year
4^th Year
2^nd Year
5^th (Final) Year
3^rd Year

1st Year	Summer/Early Fall	Think about Fellowships (NSF, Ford Foundation. , NIH Minority grants, etc) Rotations (All students are required to complete 3 rotations)* Coursework
	Winter	Rotations Coursework
	Spring	Additional rotation, if necessary Choose a lab Choose a Program Advanced Courses
	Summer	Research Begin exploring dissertation projects
2nd Year	Fall	Research Advanced Courses Program-specific journal clubs and works-in-progress Begin exploring Qualifying exam topics Think about Dissertation Committee make-up Consider Fellowships (NIH Minority Fellowships, Ph.D. candidate Fellowships, etc)
	Winter/Spring	Research Advanced courses Program-specific journal clubs and works-in-progress Qualifying Exam preparation (Identify topics, etc)
	Late Spring/ Summer	Research Qualifying Exam Have your first Dissertation Committee Meeting
3rd Year	Fall/Winter	Research Program-specific journal clubs and works-in-progress
	Winter/Spring	Research Program-specific journal clubs and works-in-progress Committee Meeting-aim for a committee meeting every 6 - 9 months
4th Year	Fall	Research Start thinking about time to finish Program-specific journal clubs and works-in-progress Committee Meeting to Evaluate Progress and predict time-to-degree Present your research at a regional or national meeting
	Fall/ Winter	Research Continue to participate in program-specific journal clubs and works in progress Start thinking about the future Post-doc Other job Explore career options using Placement Service
	Spring	Research Continue to participate in program-specific journal clubs and works in progress Present your research at a regional or national meeting Start making notes and outline for your dissertation Focus on publications
Final Year	6-9 months before grad	Research Finalize experimental plan Have final Committee Meeting-obtain approval to complete dissertation Organize dissertation, work on writing sections Continue to participate in program-specific journal clubs and works in progress Have a good idea of future direction Interview for post-doctoral fellowship or job
	3-4 months before grad	Write post-doctoral fellowship grants Experiments should be mostly finished Write dissertation Finalize post-doctoral fellowship or job plans
End of 5th Year		Graduate!!

* Laboratory rotations allow students to experience several lab environments and determine the level of interest and compatibility. Also, the faculty will be evaluating the student and their “fit” in the lab and their potential as a scientist. Choose rotations based on scientific interest and discussions with faculty and students. Rotations should be set up well in advance.