Degree Timelines

Find more information on our Curriculum & Courses page

Timeline

Semester 1
  • Before your first semester, domestic students from out-of-state must prepare for Colorado residency
  • Develop a coursework plan with advisor
    • If starting in Fall, take ECOL 505 Foundations of Ecology 
    • If starting in the Spring, take ECOL 693 Research Seminar 
  • Discuss the mentor-mentee expectations worksheet with your advisor
  • Discuss potential graduate committee members
  • Plan thesis project
  • Review thesis topic literature
  • Complete Annual Student Progress Report & IDP
  • Select graduate committee members
  • Write research proposal (see guidelines under General Information tab)
  • Hold committee meeting to approve research proposal and study plan
  • Submit GS6 form to your advisor and the GDPE Assistant Director for review and approval
    • Note: If not done by the 3rd semester, you will not be able to register in semester 4
  • Initiate research and data collection
  • Before the start of your 3rd semester, make sure to petition for residency
  • Perform data analyses
  • Draft manuscript(s) for journal submission
  • Complete Annual Student Progress Report
  • Complete research
  • Write and defend thesis
  • Complete GDPE Exit Survey and appropriate Graduate School Forms when applying for graduation.
    • Note: the required forms for Plan A and Plan B students are different.
  • Submit manuscript(s) for publication
Find more information on our Curriculum & Courses page

Timeline

Semester 1
  • Before your first semester, prepare for Colorado residency
  • Develop coursework plan with advisor
    • If starting in Fall, take ECOL 505 Foundations of Ecology
    • If starting in the Spring, take ECOL 693 Research Seminar
  • Discuss the mentor-mentee expectations worksheet with your advisor
  • Discuss potential graduate committee members
  • Plan dissertation project
  • Review dissertation topic literature
  • Select graduate committee members
  • Write research proposal (see guidelines under General Information tab)
  • Hold committee meeting to approve research proposal and study plan
  • Complete Annual Student Progress Report & IDP
  • Submit Supplemental GDPE GS6 form to your advisor and the GDPE Assistant Director for review and approval
    • Note: If not done by the 3rd semester, you will not be able to register in semester 4
  • Before the start of your 3rd semester, make sure to petition for residency
  • Submit your GDPE approved GS6 form to the CSU Graduate School
  • Perform research activities and data analysis
  • Complete Annual Student Progress Report
  • Present to-date research results at a professional meeting
  • Take written and oral comprehensive preliminary examination (prelim; see General Info tab for details)
  • Take written and oral comprehensive preliminary examination (prelim) if not previously done (see General Info tab for details)
  • Continue research and data analysis
  • Complete Annual Student Progress Report
  • Perform data analysis
  • Begin to write dissertation and draft manuscript for journal submission
  • Present to-date research results at a professional meeting
  • Take written and oral comprehensive preliminary examination (prelim) if not previously done (see General Info tab for details)
  • Complete research
  • Complete dissertation and defend
  • Complete GDPE Exit Survey and appropriate Graduate School Forms when applying for graduation
  • Submit manuscript for publication
  • Present research results at a professional meeting
Find more information on our Curriculum & Courses page

Timeline

Semester 1
  • Before your first semester, prepare for Colorado residency
  • Develop coursework plan with advisor
    • If starting in Fall, take ECOL 505 Foundations of Ecology 
    • If starting in the Spring, take ECOL 693 Research Seminar 
  • Discuss the mentor-mentee expectations worksheet with your advisor
  • Discuss potential graduate committee members
  • Plan dissertation project
  • Review dissertation topic literature
  • Select graduate committee members
  • Write research proposal (see guidelines under General Information tab)
  • Hold committee meeting to approve research proposal and study plan
  • Complete Annual Student Progress Report and IDP
  • Submit Supplemental GDPE GS6 form to your advisor and the GDPE Assistant Director for review and approval
    • Note: If not done by the 3rd semester, you will not be able to register in semester 4
  • Before the start of your 3rd semester, make sure to petition for residency
  • Submit your GDPE approved GS6 form to the CSU Graduate School
  • Perform research activities and data analysis
  • Take written and oral comprehensive preliminary examination (prelims)
  • Complete Annual Student Progress Report
  • Perform data analysis
  • Begin to write dissertation and draft manuscript for journal submission
  • Present to-date research results at a professional meeting
  • Complete research
  • Complete dissertation and defend
  • Complete GDPE Exit Survey and appropriate Graduate School Forms when applying for graduation
  • Submit manuscript for publication
  • Present research results at a professional meeting