Timeline 2025
Source: https://astronomy.fas.harvard.edu/timeline Parent: https://astronomy.fas.harvard.edu/undergraduate-program
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Timeline for various stages in the graduate program.
Sort
| What | When | Relevant people/committees |
| Study Plan (first- and second-year students only) | Review with advisor during the first week of fall term; due Friday the first week of classes to department Graduate Coordinator | Advisor, CAS |
| Inventory ("Shu" / assessment) Exam | October of first year | GSAS Milestone |
| Identification of Research Advisor, brief summary of research project, and suggested list of AC members | December 15 of first year (G1) | Advisor,CAS |
| First meeting of AC to present and discuss the Research Proposal draft; draft should be circulated to AC at least 1 week prior to the meeting | Before Spring Break of G1 | Research advisor, AC, CAS |
| Submission of final Research Proposal | May 15 of G1 | AC, DGS, CAS |
| Courses completed | End of Spring term G2 | GSAS Milestone |
| Sort | ||
| Teaching | At least one course in G2; completed by end of G3. | GSAS Milestone |
| Identify thesis advisor, submit thesis proposal, suggest revisions to AC composition (if needed). | Within 3 months of completion of research exam | Advisor, DGS, CAS |
| TAC Meetings | Once per semester, with the first meeting the semester after the Research Exam (at the latest). | TAC, CAS |
| PhD Dissertation | End of fifth or sixth year | Advisor, TAC, Department office |
| Confirmation of Defense Committee | When thesis is about to be completed | CAS |
| Public Lecture | Before thesis defense | Advisor, Department office |
| Final Oral Exam (Thesis Defense) | After completion of thesis, usually same day as Public Lecture | Final Oral Exam Committee |