Department Calendar
Jump to Important Dates for Seniors or Junior Qual Dates.
Department Events
General Important Dates 2026-27
| Mon, Aug 13 |
Fall Classes Begin |
| Thur, Sept 4 |
President's Student Showcase, a poster session highlighting summer research, at 4-6:00 pm in the PAB |
| Fri, Sept 11 |
Approved Independent Study Proposals Due to Registrar |
| Nov 26-27 |
Thanksgiving Break |
| Mon, Nov 30 |
Classes resume |
| Wed, Dec 9 | Last Day of Classes & Biology Department Winter Party |
| Mon, Jan 25 | Spring Classes Begin |
| Fri, Feb 5 |
Independent Study Proposals Due |
| Wed, March 3 |
(Anticipated) Application deadline (noon) for Biology Dept. Summer Fellowships and Awards |
| March 20-28 |
Spring Break |
| Mon, March 29 | Classes resume |
| Wed, May 5 |
(Anticipated) Department End of Semester Celebration |
Biology Senior Thesis Deadlines
Fall '26/Spring ‘27 Seniors
(If you are beginning your thesis in fall 2026 and finishing in spring 2027):
Wed, September 9, 2026
Thesis proposals due no later than noon on the second Wednesday of the fall semester
Wed, October 7, 2026
BURP proposals for thesis funding due
Mon, January 25, 2027
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 17, 2027
Secondary deadline for BURP proposals for thesis funding
Spring ‘26/Fall ‘26 Seniors
(If you began a thesis in spring semester 2026):
Mon, Aug 31, 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.
Wed, September 23, 2026
Secondary deadline for BURP proposals for thesis funding.
Spring ‘26/Fall ‘26 Seniors
(If you are beginning a thesis in spring semester 2026):
Wednesday, Feb 3, 2027
Thesis proposals due no later than noon on the second Wednesday of spring semester
Wednesday, March 3, 2027
BURP Proposals for thesis funding due
TBD - Fall 2027
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 2027
Secondary deadline for BURP proposals for thesis funding. Likely noon on the 4th Wednesday of fall term.
Junior Qual Dates
Thursday, Sept 3, 2026
For students beginning theses in Fall ’26
Thursday, Oct 29, 2026
For students beginning theses in Spring ’27
For students beginning theses in Fall ’27
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.