The goals listed below are necessary steps that must be completed by all students. They are placed into the timeline when they normally occur. It is sometimes the case that a student completes a goal earlier than normal. For example, students sometimes identify a research advisor as they begin the program. As another example, some students take Scholarship Skills during their first year. As yet another example, some well-prepared students take the Research Proficiency Exam during their first year.

Year One Activities and Goals:

Year Two Activities and Goals:

Year Three (and subsequent years, if necessary) Activities and Goals:

Additional Activities and Goals for the Final Year:

Year One Activities:

• Take courses that satisfy the foundation and distribution requirements by registering for appropriate classes. Register for research credits (but only with the permission of the research advisor).
• Attend reading groups. Attend research group meetings (with permission of the faculty members involved in the research). Get involved in any other activities that will provide interaction with faculty with research interests similar to yours.
• Write-up one to three pages describing your accomplishments, goals, and plans, both in course work and in research for each SPC meeting. Distribute the write-up to your SPC a few days ahead of the SPC meeting. A SPC meeting will be scheduled for you twice each year, prior to the Fall and Spring SPC meetings. As soon as a potential advisor is identified, consult with your advisor about courses to take that will support your research activities. Note: the written report is not required for your first SPC meeting, when you first arrive at OGI.

Year One Goals:

1. Identify a research advisor no later than the end of the Spring Quarter. Your research advisor will guide your program of study, your research work, and provide you with funding and other benefits in the remainder of your PhD program at OGI.
2. Begin participating in research, e.g., through participation in regular research group meetings. Work to identify your Research Proficiency Exam research topic.

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Year Two Activities:

• Conduct research and write your paper for the Research Proficiency Exam.
• Continue taking courses that satisfy foundation and distribution requirements.
• Continue attending reading groups and participating in research. Register for research credits as appropriate (with permission of your advisor).
• Write-up one to three pages describing your accomplishments, goals, and plans, both in course work and in research for each SPC meeting. Distribute the write-up to your SPC a few days ahead of the SPC meeting. A SPC meeting will be scheduled for you twice each year, prior to the Fall and Spring SPC meetings.
• Register for Scholarship Skills if you have not already satisfactorily completed the course; it is normally offered during the Winter Quarter.
• Participate in the Research Proficiency Exam; it is normally scheduled during the Spring Quarter.
• Note: you must complete foundation and distribution requirements and Scholarship Skills to pass to candidacy. Occasionally your SPC will approve completion of classes during the third year, e.g., if more appropriate classes are scheduled in your third year or if they advise you to focus on your research in your second year.

Year Two Goals:

1. Complete the Scholarship Skills class with a grade of B or better.
2. Pass the Research Proficiency Exam.
3. Continue participating in your research group, under the direction of your advisor.

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Year Three (and subsequent years, if necessary) Activities:

• Continue taking classes, as approved by your SPC and your advisor, as appropriate for your research.
• Continue active participation in reading groups and research group meetings.
• Write-up research accomplishments, goals, and plans twice each year for the Fall and Spring SPC meetings. Distribute the write-up to your SPC a few days ahead of the SPC meeting. A SPC meeting will be scheduled for you twice each year, prior to the Fall and Spring SPC meetings.
• Be reviewed annually by the faculty following the spring SPC meeting.
• Form Thesis Committee no later than two months prior to thesis proposal.
• Present formal Thesis Proposal. Students normally present their thesis proposal during Year 3. It is generally presented between 9 and 18 months prior to defense.
• Receive written feedback from faculty advisor within one calendar week after Thesis Proposal.
• Work on changes/improvements to Thesis Proposal and reschedule talk, if required.
• Continue to register for classes at OGI until you graduate. It is sufficient to continuously register for one credit of research to fulfill the requirement for continuous enrollment.

Year Three Goals:

1. Have your Thesis Proposal approved. See section on Ph.D. Thesis Proposal for more details. [This goal is highly desirable although not strictly required for graduation.]
2. Publish one or more papers on your Research Proficiency Exam research or Thesis research. [This goal is highly desirable although not strictly required for graduation.]
3. Continue participating in your research group, under the direction of your advisor.
4. Present a public talk, e.g., at the Student Research Symposium, at a conference, etc.

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Additional Activities for the Final Year:

• Distribute draft of thesis to Committee at least six weeks prior to tentative Thesis Defense date.
• Submit completed Request to Schedule Thesis Defense form no later than two weeks prior to defense.
• Prepare for your thesis defense.
• Defend your thesis.
• Make changes for final thesis copy.
• Continue to register for classes at OGI until you graduate. It is sufficient to continuously register for one credit of research to fulfill the requirement for continuous enrollment.
• Deposit final, approved thesis with the library.

Additional Goals for the Final Year:

1. Publish additional papers based on your research work. [This goal is highly desirable although not strictly required for graduation.]
2. Successfully defend your thesis.
3. Deposit final, approved thesis with the library.

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