Department Calendar
Jump to Important Dates for Seniors or Junior Qual Dates.
Department Events
General Important Dates 2025-26
| Tues, Sept 2 |
Fall Classes Begin |
| Fri, Sept 5 |
President's Student Showcase, a poster session highlighting summer research, at 4-6:00 pm in the PAB |
| Fri, Sept 12 |
Approved Independent Study Proposals Due to Registrar |
| Nov 27-28 |
Thanksgiving Break |
| Mon, Dec 1 |
Classes resume |
| Wed, Dec 10 | Last Day of Classes & Department Winter Party |
| Mon, Jan 26 | Spring Classes Begin |
| Fri, Feb 6 |
Independent Study Proposals Due |
| Wed, March 4 |
(Anticipated) Biology Dept Summer Reserach Fellowships Applications Due & Post-bac Research Fellowship Applications Due |
| March 22-30 |
Spring Break |
| Mon, March 31 | Classes resume |
| Wed, May 6 |
(Anticipated) Department End of Semester Celebration |
Biology Senior Thesis Deadlines
Fall '25/Spring ‘26 Seniors
(If you are beginning your thesis in fall 2025 and finishing in spring 2026):
September 10, 2025
Thesis proposals due no later than noon on the second Wednesday of the fall semester
Wed, October 8, 2025
BURP proposals for thesis funding due
Monday, January 26, 2026
Draft of thesis introduction due no later than noon on the first day of classes for the spring semester, unless other arrangements have been made with adviser
Wed, February 18, 2026
Secondary deadline for BURP proposals for thesis funding
Spring ‘25/Fall ‘25 Seniors
(If you began a thesis in spring semester 2025):
Tues, Sept 2, 2025
Draft of thesis introduction due no later than noon on the first day of classes for the fall semester, unless other arrangements have been made with adviser.
Wed, September 25, 2025
Secondary deadline for BURP proposals for thesis funding.
Spring ‘26/Fall ‘26 Seniors
(If you are beginning a thesis in spring semester 2026):
Wedesday, Feb 4, 2026
Thesis proposals due no later than noon on the second Wednesday of spring semester
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
BURP Proposals for thesis funding due
TBD - Fall 2026
Draft of thesis introduction due no later than noon on the first day of classes for the fall semester, unless other arrangements have been made with adviser.
TBD - Fall 2026
Secondary deadline for BURP proposals for thesis funding. Likely noon on the 4th Wednesday of fall term.
Junior Qual Dates
Thursday, Sept 4, 2025
For students beginning theses in Fall ’25
Thursday, Oct 30, 2025
For students beginning theses in Spring ’26
For students beginning theses in Fall ’26
Note: Juniors with ad hoc and/or standing interdisciplinary majors may need to take and pass two qualifying exams. For example, BMB students must take both the Biology and Chemistry exams. ES-Biology students must take the Biology and ES exams. Neuroscience students, however, take only a separate neuroscience exam. Please contact your academic advisor with questions.