PhD Milestone Checklist/Timeline 

Prior to First Registration

• Meet with faculty advisor and Graduate Programs office for advice on possible courses to take in the first semester.
• Register for courses through myPurdue.

Year 1

• Fall
  • Satisfy Graduate School admission conditions as outlined in your admission letter
  • Form POS committee (worksheet due October 1st)
  • Take one combined BME Seminar/CLA course
• Spring
  • Meet with POS committee (worksheet due March 1st)
  • Take one combined BME Seminar/CLA course
  • Submit POS to Grad School
• Summer
  • Submit QLA (due ~ June 1)

Year 2

• Fall
  • Revise QLA
  • Begin formulating PhD Thesis Advising Committee
• Summer
  • Summer Seminar Presentation

Year 3

• Settle PhD Thesis Advising Committee
• Complete PhD Preliminary Exam
• Apply for Fellowships

Years 3-5

• IBSC PhD students take 2 semesters of  BMS 692 or CPB 697 Seminar
• BME PhD students take 2 semesters of BME Seminar (not combined with CLA)
• Regular thesis committee meetings as needed
• Defend thesis 

Prior to Final Semester

• Review your plan of study to ensure all degree requirements are met.
• Discuss your future plans with your faculty advisor and the BME Graduate Programs office.
• Review instructions on scheduling your final exam to see if you have any questions in advance of final semester.
• Review Purdue graduation deadlines to see if you have any questions in advance of final semester.