Thesis-Based MS milestones
| Term | Milestones / Major events | Student Responsibility |
| August Prior to Start of Fall Term | · Attend Graduate Program Orientation and Registration.
· If you are an international student Attend International Student orientation and comply with all Office of International Student requirements. (www.ois.pitt.edu) |
· Contact the Graduate Program Coordinator on when you will arrive on campus
· Complete paperwork for healthcare enrollment, tuition payments (at orientation). · Bring copies of Visa, Passport, Drivers’ License etc to orientation. · For international students: complete all items required by OIS · For International students: complete English Proficiency Test |
| First year Fall term and Spring term | · Choose Track
· Identify an advisor by January 15 · Complete a total of 30 credits. · Present 10 minute mini-seminar on research experience or topic of interest at end of Spring Semester |
· Submit Selected Advisor form to Graduate Program Coordinator no later than January 30.
· Complete Core and Required courses. · Initiate Laboratory Research Experience in Mentor’s lab · Prepare and present mini-seminar · Attend end of semester graduate student meeting |
| Second year Fall and Spring term | · Organize a committee by September 15.
The committee will include at least three faculty including your primary advisor. |
· Submit Selected Committee Form to Graduate Program Coordinator by September 30.
· Complete Laboratory Research Experience in Mentor’s lab · Elective Courses · Committee Meeting · Attend end of semester graduate student meeting. · Determine your date of defense and schedule with the Graduate Program Coordinator · Submit thesis document to committee members at least three weeks prior to your scheduled defense · Give 30 minute oral presentation about your research to committee. · Defend Your work by answering questions from the committee · At Closed Defense/ presentation have each member of committee complete the “Thesis-based MS defense Evaluation Form ” and submit to Graduate Program Coordinator. |
| Second year Spring or Summer term | · Graduation | · Graduation application must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the date of graduation defined by the University’s academic calendar. See Graduate Program Coordinator for information. |