The Third Year Milestone is an opportunity to practice the art of proposal development. In the process of creating research proposals, scholars practice critical thinking, evaluate the work of others, and become more familiar with the scientific literature. Specifically, the Third Year Milestone requires the preparation of three one-page research pre-proposals in a quad sheet format. The pre-proposals provide an opportunity for faculty to coach scholars to successfully prepare an original research proposal for the Fourth Year Milestone.
Scholars are required to enroll in CHEM 798C to document their learning and achievement with the pre-proposals. The course also requires scholars to prepare and present a short research update to their committee. Effort in CHEM 798C should be guided by the syllabus for this course.
Scholars are required to receive an “S” grade in CHEM 798C to progress in the chemistry PhD program.
- If a scholar does not receive an “S” grade, they will be placed on probation and must successfully return to good standing within one semester to continue in the PhD program. In order to return to good standing, the scholar must re-enroll in CHEM 798C in the semester immediately following the first attempt and successfully complete the course with an “S”. The re-test date should be set no later than seven weeks before the end of the term in which it will take place (mid-semester).
- Feedback to scholar in the event of a re-test: If a re-test is required, the scholar should work with the primary research mentor to compose a written summary of feedback from the milestone meeting. The summary should include a specific timeline for the re-test, an explanation of what elements of the milestone were not satisfied, and clear expectations (in line with the re-test timeframe provided) for what the scholar will need to accomplish to successfully complete the milestone. The written summary should be shared with the graduate program within one week of the milestone exam. The scholar and mentor are encouraged to develop a detailed study and research plan that elaborates on the summary to facilitate the scholar’s development and successful completion of the milestone in the timeframe provided.