Milestone in the Doctoral Program

Selection of area of specialization and major professor
- By the first day of the 1^st semester

Identification of Thesis Topic
- As early as possible

Preparation and approval of plan of study
- By the end of the 3^rd semester – required for 4^th semester registration beginning Spring 2011
- Completed electronically via MyPurdue http://mypurdue.purdue.edu

Must be approved by plan of study coordinator, all advisory committee members and

department graduate chair by the Friday prior to the start of the semester of expected graduation

Suggested submission early to avoid processing delay and removal from candidate list

Preliminary Examination
- During the 4^th semester after M.S.
- During the 4^th semester after the B.S. for the ‘Direct Ph.D.’

Preparation of the Ph.D. Thesis

Preparation of Scholarly Journal Paper

Defense of Ph.D. Thesis
- Typically during the 6^th semester after M.S.
- Typically during the 7^th semester after B.S. for the ‘Direct Ph.D.’

Completion of Exit Survey

Graduation Procedures
- http://www.purdue.edu/gradschool

To schedule your thesis defense or project report students must do the following:

Identify a date that works for all committee members

Submit the Graduate School Form 8; Graduate students can log into their MyPurdue account to find a link to the database to submit a form 8.
- Minimum of 2 weeks prior to the scheduled defense date

Submit Thesis or Report to all committee members at least 2 weeks prior to the scheduled defense date

Reserve the Nuclear Engineering Conference Room with Student Service Office
- Mention this is for a defense or final report to receive priority reservation