Onboarding

PhD Student Timeline and Key Events

Year 1:

Take a full course load, working to complete your PhD program guidelines (CISE guidelines, UFGI guidelines).
You must sign up for 9 credits moving forward. To do this, fill your credits with CIS 7979.
You are being paid by the lab.
Form your PhD committee by the end of your first year (this requires signed forms).
You should take a vacation.

Year 2:

Take a full course load, working to complete your PhD program guidelines (CISE guidelines, UFGI guidelines).
If you are on a teaching assistantship, you will also be (surprise!) performing TA duties.
Take some time off during winter break.
If you are on a TAship, you are paid by the department for the academic semester.
If you are not on a TAship, you are on a Research Assistantship (RA) and are paid by the lab.
The lab pays your summer salary.
Schedule and take your qualifying exams.
You should take a vacation.

Year 3:

Take and pass the qualifying exam.
Finish up any coursework requirements you have not yet completed (e.g. seminar credits).
Prepare for your candidacy exams.
You should now be spending most of your time on research, not classes. Congratulations!

Year 4 (and beyond):