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Typical student progression timeline

The schedule below outlines a “typical” or “average” timeline for student progression. Note that:

  • Some of the dates listed for year 2 onwards are provided as rough guides rather than strict deadlines. For example, committee meetings, whose scheduling can be affected by many factors, may take place any time in the fall or spring semester, as long as they are approximately once per year.
  • The lab rotation schedule for year 1 is determined by BBSP. Any inconsistencies between this and the official BBSP schedule are most likely our error. If you spot such an inconsistency, please let us know so we can update it!

Quick links: Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6

Year 1

Research

  • Aug: orientation week
  • Aug: select and start lab rotation 1
  • Oct: select lab rotation 2
  • Nov: start lab rotation 2
  • Nov: present poster on lab rotation 1
  • Jan: select lab rotation 3
  • Feb: start lab rotation 3
  • Feb: written report on lab rotation 2
  • Apr: select thesis lab.
  • Apr: join thesis lab
  • Apr (late): receive reading list for May written qualifying exam
  • May (early): written qualifying exam.
  • May (late): oral presentation on lab rotation 3
  • Jun: advisor applies for T32 training grant slots if eligible and funding is available

Courses

Fall

  • First Year Groups
  • BCB 710 Bioinformatics Colloquium: structured interaction & faculty seminars (1 credit)
  • BCB 715 Mathematical Modeling (1 credit)
  • BCB 720 Introduction to Statistical Modeling (3 credits)
  • BCB 722 Topics in Population Genetics (1 credit)
  • BCB 724 Data Communication (1 credit)

Spring

  • First Year Groups
  • BCB 710 Bioinformatics Colloquium: journal club (1 credit)
  • BCB 717 Structural Bioinformatics (1 credit)
  • 3 credits of elective courses, eg, 1 elective course (eg, COMP 550 Bioalgorithms, BCB 785, etc) or 3 elective modules (eg, 3 from BCB 645, 718, 723, 730) or BCB

Year 2

Research

  • Aug/Sep: BCB retreat
  • Nov: deadline for NSF fellowship application (optional)
  • Apr: submit Individual Development Plan (IDP)
  • May: form dissertation committee

Courses

Fall

  • BCB 710 Bioinformatics Colloquium: faculty seminars
  • BCB 850 BCB teaching (BCB TA duties)
  • BCB 870 Grant writing workshop
  • BCB 899 Student seminar series (attendence & speaker introduction)
  • 3-6 credits of elective courses

Spring

  • BCB 710 Bioinformatics Colloquium: journal club
  • BCB 850 BCB teaching (BCB TA duties, if not done in fall)
  • BCB 899 Student seminar series (attendence & speaker introduction)
  • BBSP 705 Rigor and Reproducibility [must enroll or audit]
  • 3-6 credits of elective courses (as needed to complete 12 elective credits total)

Year 3

Research

  • Aug/Sep: 1st dissertation committee meeting (introduction)
  • Sep: BCB retreat
  • Mar: 2nd dissertation committee meeting (oral exam)
  • Apr: submit IDP

Courses

  • Fall & spring: BCB899 Student seminar series (attendance & give seminar)
  • Spring: BBSP705 Rigor and Reproducibility (if not done in Y2) [must enroll or audit]

Year 4

Research

  • Aug/Sep: BCB retreat
  • Nov/Dec: 3rd dissertation committee meeting (research progress update)
  • Apr: submit IDP

Courses

  • Fall & spring: BCB 899 Student seminar series (give one seminar per semester, no other commitment)
  • Spring: BCB 888 Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) refresher [must enroll or audit]

Year 5

Research

  • Nov/Dec: 4th dissertation committee meeting (research progress update / schedule defense)
  • Fall & spring: BCB 899 Student seminar series (if not defended: give one seminar per semester, no other commitment)
  • Apr: submit IDP (if not defended)
  • May: thesis defense (if ready)

Year 6

Research

  • Aug: 5th dissertation committee meeting (schedule defense if not defended already)
  • Dec: thesis defense (if not defended already)