Timeline for Degree Completion for Basic Science PhD Students

The target time for completing the PhD in a basic science discipline is 5-6 years, though the precise time will depend upon the details of the selected research project and the performance of the student. Beyond the qualifying exam at the end of the second year of study, it is expected that most students will dedicate 100% of effort towards research, completing all remaining courses and requirements of the degree program and professional development.

Year 1

• Core and elective coursework
• 3 lab rotations, selected from table below Full policy
• 3 lab rotation evaluations from the student Student Evaluation Form
• 3 lab rotation evaluations from the rotation lab mentor Mentor Evaluation Form
• Receive 1st year evaluation (rubric) from the Program Director
• Selection of research advisor by June 30 of the first academic year
• Attend relevant professional development seminars

Standard Lab Rotation Periods

Year 2

• Core and elective coursework
• Start of research project
• Selection of dissertation advisory committee by July 1, after the 4th semester of study
• First committee meeting prior to the qualifying exam
• Develop and write thesis proposal
• Annual evaluation, due each academic year no later than June 30
• Teaching Assistantship (TA)
• Attend relevant professional development seminars
• Write a fellowship application (strongly encouraged)

Years 3-4

• Qualifying Exam (advance to candidacy) by October 1 of the 5th semester of study
• Seminars and activities required by program and/or funding source
• Attend relevant professional development seminars
• Dissertation project
• Annual committee meetings
• Annual evaluation, due each academic year no later than June 30
• Teaching Assistantship (TA), if not completed in Year 2
• Write a fellowship application (if applicable)
• Publish academic research as first author or co-author
• Attend and present research at a scientific conferences

Years 5-6

• Seminars and activities required by program and/or funding source
• Attend relevant professional development seminars
• Conclude experiments and begin writing thesis
• Annual committee meetings
• Annual evaluation, due each academic year no later than June 30
• Publish academic research as first author or co-author
• Attend and present research at a scientific conferences
• Search and interview for postdoc/employment
• Complete thesis and final oral defense by 5.5-6 years
• Graduate with PhD

Related Policies and Standards

Time to Degree Standard

The School of Medicine and Dentistry Committee on Graduate Studies has adopted a 5-6 year time-to-degree standard for PhD degree completion to ensure that students make timely progress toward completion of their degree objectives. The stipend is not guaranteed beyond the end of the 6th year of study.

Grades

The University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry requires satisfactory academic performance and accomplishment in research and coursework for all students. This satisfactory performance is mandatory for continuation in good academic standing in the graduate program.

Grading Policy

Selection of Advisor

All students are required to select a permanent research lab and thesis research advisor by June 30 of the first academic year.

Selection of Advisory Committee

All students are required to select an advisory committee following University and SMD guidelines for the composition of members, no later than July 1 of the second year of graduate study (after the 4th semester of study).

Lab Rotation and Annual Evaluation

Lab rotation evaluations are required for all biomedical science, including Translational Biomedical Science, PhD students. Evaluations are due to the Senior Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs no later than 5 days after the end date of the lab rotation period.

Annual evaluations are required for all PhD students in the School of Medicine and Dentistry. Evaluations are due to the Senior Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs no later than June 30 of each academic year. Full evaluation policy.

Publication Expectation

All students are expected to be the primary author on a peer-reviewed journal article submitted for publication prior to defending their PhD research.

Qualifying Examination Requirement

All students are required to hold a Qualifying Examination to advance to doctoral candidacy at the end of the second year of study (no later than October 1 of the third year of graduate study). Students should refer to their program-specific advancement to doctoral candidacy requirements in program handbooks published each admission year.

Teaching Assistant Requirement

The teaching requirement is to be fulfilled by serving for at least one semester as a Teaching Assistant (TA). The duties of a TA include but are not limited to tutoring students, conducting problem solving sessions, preparing and supervising laboratory sessions, and grading.

Performance Standard on Required Milestones and Exams

If a student fails to pass a qualifying examination, cannot find a thesis advisor, cannot form a thesis committee, or fails to meet other program, SMD or University standards, the Graduate Program Director may recommend academic probation or academic dismissal to the Senior Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs.

When considering academic probation or academic dismissal, the Senior Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs expects documentation indicating that the student received substantial written feedback regarding their specific deficiencies. Students must be provided with sufficient opportunities to fulfill the unmet standard(s).