AIM Ph.D. Timeline Shaded rows of the table refer to the candidacy stage of the Ph.D. degree, in which students are restricted to a single 3-credit lecture course per semester. Year 1 Pass two AIM Preliminary Examinations Enroll in Math 501 (AIM Student Seminar) for both semesters Begin basic coursework, concentrating on the AIM Core Courses Year 2 Continue mathematics coursework Enroll in Math 501 (AIM Student Seminar) in the Fall semester Begin selection of partner discipline and co-advisors Begin taking courses in the partner discipline Year 3 Complete most required coursework, focusing on advanced research-related courses Prepare AIM Thesis Proposal Pass oral examination Advance to candidacy* Year 4 Focus on original research Year 5 Complete research project Write and defend dissertation * Candidacy must be achieved by the beginning of the fourth year of study.