Approximate Timeline for the AIM PhD Program In the first year students will focus on class work and passing of the AIM Preliminary exams. The students must pass these exams by the beginning of their second year. Students are encouraged to spend their first summer engaged in a research project During the second year students will continue to take courses but they should be thinking about a partner field and taking courses outside the department. Students should definitely have a research project in the summer of their second year. By the beginning of the 3rd year students should have chosen a partner area and have started delving deeper into the science of the partner area and the related mathematics. In addition the students will be taking classes closely related to their research area. By the end of the 3rd year students should have chosen both co-advisers, written a thesis proposal, and advanced to candidacy. In the 4th and 5th years students should be very focused on their PhD research. During this time period students can only only take one class per semester and in many cases students can choose not to take any courses (especially in the 5th year). It is expected that students will take 5 years to finish.