Time Line
Students must choose a 7 week period during which to take the preliminary examination. All other commitments (research, TA-ships, courses) should be minimized during this period.
The process begins with the formation of the Prelim Committee and the student's declaration of their intent to take the exam. The student must inform the Graduate Secretary (Human Genetics Dept Office, Rm 2100 EIHG) and fill out the necessary paperwork.
The timeline begins when the student meets with the Prelim Committee to choose a proposal from two written abstracts. One abstract is expanded into a written research grant proposal, as described below, and distributed to the Prelim Committee six weeks after the topic selection meeting. The oral examination occurs one week after the submission of the written grant application, seven weeks after the initial abstract meeting. Students are strongly encouraged to schedule both meetings (topic selection and exam) well in advance, to ensure that all committee members have reserved both times on their calendars. One handy way to do this is using a web-based scheduler, such as Doodle (www.doodle.com). If some committee members are not available for one date, the student must select alternates. This will ensure that the exam will be completed on time. Under no circumstance should the exam extend beyond a 7 week period. Students may choose to spend less than 7 weeks if desired.
Students who pass their preliminary exam will meet for the first time with their Ph.D. Thesis Supervisory Committee within 4-6 months of completion of the prelim exam. One week before the thesis meeting the student will present their committee with a 10-15 page description of their thesis research project, as described below.