In your fourth year and beyond as an MCB student you will:
- Continue research in your dissertation lab
- Submit work for publication
- Hold Annual Committee Meetings
- Complete dissertation/final exam before end of sixth year
Quarterly Milestones
Up until you schedule and complete your Final Exam, you will register for MCB 800: MCB Doctoral Dissertation (variable credits: 1-10, Entry code: Faculty Advisor, mandatory course under MCB curriculum) across all quarters (Autumn, Winter, Spring, Summer).
Every quarters credit total should be 10 (except Summer).
The following are quarter-specific tasks and milestones:
| Quarter | Task/Milestone |
| Autumn | Schedule or complete Final Exam [if appropriate] |
| Winter | Meet with Advisor to update Individual Development Plan (IDP) |
| Winter | Schedule Supervisory Committee Meeting (by last day of quarter) |
| Winter | Schedule or complete Final Exam [if appropriate] |
| Spring | Meet with Supervisory Committee and fill out updated Annual Committee Report |
| Spring | Submit updated Annual Committee Report and IDP to MCB office (by last day of quarter) |
| Spring | Schedule or complete Final Exam [if appropriate] |
| Summer | Register Research Credits – MCB 800: Doctoral Dissertation
Summer Quarter credit total: 2 |
| Summer | Schedule or complete Final Exam [if appropriate] |