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Computing Science

Ph.D. Timeline

Although differences in the speed of progress by students are recognized, the following timeline is suggestive of the Department's expectation. (Shift timelines for a Winter start.)

Residency requirement: You must be present (in the Department at the U of A) for at least 4 terms of full-time study.
Program length: You are encouraged to complete your program within 4 years. At most, you could take up to 6 years - continuation after this time requires a Program Extension official application that must be approved by both the department and FGSR.

Year	Timeframe	Tasks
Year 1 Course Work	September (Fall - Term 1)	CMPUT 603 1-2 other computing science graduate courses
	January (Winter - Term 2)	1-2 computing science graduate courses
	August	Choose a Supervisory Committee
Year 2 Course Work	September (Fall - Term 3)	Completion of course work Choose a Ph.D. topic
	December	Meeting 1 with Supervisory Committee
	January (Winter - Term 4)	Completion of course work Graduate Seminar 1
Year 3 Research	September	Refine and finalize selection of research topic Research
	December	Meeting 2 with Supervisory Committee Graduate Seminar 2 (before Candidacy Exam)
	Sometime this year	Prepare Candidacy Document Candidacy Exam*
Year 4 Research	September - ...	Make substantial progress towards the completion of the Ph.D. thesis Publish your results
Year 4 Research	December	Meeting 3 with Supervisory Committee
Year 5 Research & Completion	September - ...	Continue research Publish your results Write thesis
	December	Meeting 4 with Supervisory Committee
	At least 9 weeks (45 business days) prior to Defense	Begin Preparations for Defense
	1 week prior to Defense	Thesis seminar (unless combined with Defense)
	Defense date	Thesis seminar (if combined with Defense) Defense
	Within 2 weeks after Defense	Complete your revisions (if required) and finalize thesis Once your supervisor has signed the Thesis Approval / Program Completion form and it has been submitted to FGSR, Submit your final thesis to FGSR (FGSR Thesis Submission Deadline) Return keys and prox card to Graduate Program Administrator
	April for Spring Convocation September for Fall Convocation	Meet FGSR convocation requirements Apply for convocation through Bear Tracks Pay outstanding fees by the convocation deadline (typically 2 months prior)