BIG Degree Timeline

Student Advising

Each student has a BIG faculty advisor with whom they will meet regularly throughout their time in graduate school. Also, a meeting for course selection with BIG faculty members will be required for the first two years at the beginning of each semester.
 

General Timeline for Completing the Degree

Graduate Year One/G1

BIG program core and elective coursework. 
Students complete at least two 8 to 12 week lab rotations.
Students meet at least twice during year with academic advisor(s).

Graduate Year 2/G2

Dissertation laboratory declared by August 31 after G1 (starting with 2025 cohort)

Students take and pass Preliminary Qualifying Examination (PQE) by January 31 of G2 (starting with 2025 cohort)

First Dissertation Advisory Committee (DAC) meeting held no later than June 30 of the G2 year (starting with 2025 cohort)

Core and elective coursework completed by the end of G2

Graduate Year 3/G3

Second DAC meeting held no later than the end of G3 year: Research progress should compel the DAC to confirm in the report that project can plausibly lead to a dissertation.

Graduate Year 4/G4

DAC meeting held no later than end of the G4 year: DAC confirms research direction and/or progress likely leads to dissertation within 18 months.

Graduate Year 5/G5

DAC meeting held no later than end of December of the G4 year or within 6 months of the previous DAC meeting: DAC confirms strong indication of progress towards completion.
Final DAC Meeting