Astronomy PhD Program
Timeline for current graduate students in the Astronomy PhD program, for academic progress toward PhD program goals.
The same information can also be found on the PhD in Astronomy program page.
YEAR 1 —
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By End of First Year
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YEAR 2 —
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No Later than End of Second Year
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- Completion of the remaining 2 courses numbered AS 705-749
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YEAR 3 —
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No Later than End of Third Year
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YEAR 4 —
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No Later than End of First Semester of the Fourth Year
No Later than End of Fourth Year
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- Selection of the members of the student’s PhD Dissertation Steering Committee, including the First and Second Readers of the dissertation
- Student submits completed Astronomy Dissertation Steering Committee Membership Form to identify committee members
- Begins meeting with PhD Dissertation Steering Committee at least twice per calendar year to monitor progress toward developing the Prospectus
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YEAR 5 —
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No Later than End of Fifth Year
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- Continues meeting with PhD Dissertation Steering Committee at least twice per calendar year to monitor progress toward developing the Prospectus
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YEAR 6 —
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No Later than the End of Sixth Year
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- Continues meeting with PhD Dissertation Steering Committee at least twice per calendar year to monitor progress toward developing the Prospectus and completion of dissertation.
- Student submits Dissertation Prospectus and GRS Prospectus Form to the DGS and Graduate School (GRS) no later than 6 months before the Final Oral Exam.
- Review the Graduate School’s PhD Graduation Checklists for year-specific deadlines.
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YEAR 7 —
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No Later than the End of Seventh Year
| Coursework |
| COURSEWORK |
All required coursework completed. |
| Graduation Semester Registration |
| REGISTRATION |
A student must be registered in the preceding semester and in the semester during which the degree requirements are completed. |
| Dissertation Deadlines Schedule |
| Process Step |
Deadline prior to
Final Oral Exam |
Action Required |
| DISSERTATION ABSTRACT |
at least
FIVE WEEKS
prior |
Approved by the Readers, DGS, and Chair |
PROPERLY
FORMATTED*
DRAFT OF
THESIS |
at least
THREE WEEKS
prior |
Submitted to GRS
(*refer to Mugar guide in GRS PhD Graduation Guide) |
DEFENSE
DRAFT OF
DISSERTATION |
at least
TWO WEEKS
prior |
Approved by Readers and distributed to Committee |
FINAL ORAL EXAM
(“PHD DEFENSE”) |
|
– A presentation of PhD research to the student’s PhD Examination Committee and an audience of departmental students and faculty.
– Examination of the candidate’s dissertation as a valuable contribution to knowledge in astronomy, astrophysics, or space physics. Also must demonstrate mastery of their field of specialization.
– At least four members of the PhD examining committee must vote to pass the candidate. |
| DISSERTATION |
|
– The final version of the dissertation and abstract, as revised following comments and suggestions by the PhD Examination Committee and the Department of Astronomy faculty, must be approved by the Readers, as well as by the Chair and Director of Graduate Studies of the Department of Astronomy.
– The candidate should consult the Graduate School’s PhD Graduation Guide for the precise format and submission requirements for the dissertation. |
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