progress report in phd

Research Voyage

Research Tips and Infromation

How to Present PhD Progress Report to Doctoral Committee Members in 03 Simple Stages

As I reflect on my journey through the challenges and triumphs of presenting my PhD progress to the doctoral committee, I’m reminded of the invaluable lessons learned and the transformative experiences gained along the way.

1. Diverse Committee Composition: From the outset, the composition of the doctoral committee struck me with its diversity—comprising experts from within and outside my university, each member brought a unique perspective and wealth of knowledge to the table. Their ability to seamlessly map my research problem to their respective domains underscored the richness of their insights and the importance of their feedback in shaping the trajectory of my study.

2. Thorough Preparation: Meticulously crafting my presentation was only the first step. I realized the necessity of thorough preparation, ensuring that each slide effectively communicated my research objectives, methodology, preliminary findings, and future directions. Despite the initial nerves, I remained composed and focused, drawing upon months of dedication and hard work invested in my research.

3. Anticipating Diverse Requests: During one particularly memorable meeting, the committee members had varied requests—one member asked for a demonstration of my work, while another member wanted to delve into the intricacies of my data collection, cleaning, and wrangling process. These diverse requests underscored the importance of being prepared for any eventuality during the presentation, including the need for live demonstrations and detailed explanations of data-related processes.

4. Embracing Constructive Criticism: I welcomed the committee’s feedback with an open mind. Their constructive criticism and encouragement not only bolstered my confidence but also reignited my passion for my work. I learned to recognize the invaluable role of feedback in guiding the next steps of my research journey.

5. Displaying Previous Meeting Observations: One valuable lesson I learned along the way was the importance of displaying and addressing previous committee meeting observations in subsequent presentations. It was during my second presentation that one committee member suggested this approach, highlighting the need to showcase how suggestions were addressed and incorporated into the research progress. From that point onward, I made it a regular practice to include this information in my presentations, ensuring transparency and accountability in my research journey.

In retrospect, each PhD progress presentation was a transformative experience, shaping me into a more resilient, prepared, and adaptable researcher.

As I reflect on the journey of presenting my PhD progress, I invite you to join me in exploring the intricacies of navigating these pivotal meetings. From preparation to presentation, and from feedback to refinement, each step of the journey offers valuable insights into the art and science of doctoral progress presentations.

Introduction

Summary of plan of actions before phd progress presentation meeting, presentation tips, summary of plan of actions during phd progress presentation meeting, summary of plan of actions after phd progress presentation meeting, email template to doctoral committee members for extension or modification for the work proposed, mastering the art of oral and visual presentations for phd presentations, what should be included in the one-page summary for phd doctoral committee members, how can i effectively demonstrate a software-based project during the phd progress presentation, what level of detail should i include in the background section of my presentation, how can i ensure that there are no surprises for my supervisor during the doctoral committee meeting, what types of questions can i expect from the committee members regarding my research plan, how should i respond to suggestions and feedback given by the committee members during the meeting, under which circumstances phd progress presentation can be rejected.

The PhD Doctoral committee is constituted by the university in which the candidate has registered for PhD. The committe is there   to support and guide the research scholar  till his final thesis is submitted. The committe involves the experts in the domain of the candidate from various universities and research labs. The Committee will evaluate your progress and help to make sure that you are on track to get your dissertation within a reasonable time.

At the beginning of your research, their focus will be on making sure you have defined reasonable and achievable objectives. Later, they will help you decide when it is time to write your thesis. Finally, they will be there at your thesis seminar and defence presentations. Their support as mentors will likely continue as you move on in your career.

Doctoral committee meeting happens usually once in 06 months. Here it is expected that the research scholar has to present his  PhD progress work of the past six months. The meeting should not be felt like an exam. The outcome should be productive advice to you for your future research.

The  Presentation of  PhD Progress Report to Doctoral Committee Members happens in three stages namely: i) Before the meeting:   i.e. Once you start preparing the report for the meeting to till the meeting begins. ii) During the meeting:  i.e. From entering into the meeting hall to  till the meeting gets over and iii) After the meeting:   i.e. From the time meeting concludes to till the next six months before you really start preparing for your next meeting report.

Before the PhD Progress Presentation Meeting

Along with your supervisor go through all the comments given in the previous PhD progress doctoral committee meeting. Discuss in detail with your supervisor the work carried out for the past six months. If any issues are still pending have justification for not addressing or partially addressing those issues.

Do not hide details regarding the implementation and pending issues with your supervisor.  This actually helps the supervisor to defend you and take inputs from the committee members regarding the future course of directions.

A summary of  PhD progress and plans should be prepared and submitted to the  Doctoral committee at least one week prior to the meeting. Make sure that you have gone through the report with all grammatical corrections and plagiarism checks.

Send out the agenda to your committee members beforehand, but also remind them of the topics you want to cover before you begin the presentation. If you have any manuscripts published or accepted send your committee a copy of the same.

You should prepare a  PhD progress presentation (no more than 20 minutes without interruption) that includes a brief background of your research, objectives and the work carried out from the last presentation to till date. Without fail discuss in detail the presentation slides with your supervisor. In your presentation slides list all the previous comments and your response for each committee in the form of a table.

If you are planning to change the title of your work getting consent from the committee members is essential. Have at least    04-05 titles which you and your supervisor feel appropriate beforehand. This will ease the process of changing the title immediately in the meeting and the committee can recommend the same to the university along with regular suggestions.

The best way to ensure that your  PhD progress meeting goes smoothly is to meet individually with each committee member to discuss your results well in advance. If you cannot meet with them in person, share your results ( refer my blog on how to write result section ) over email and ask for their feedback. If there are any disagreements, resolve them before the meeting by speaking with your supervisor to ensure that the meeting goes smoothly.

During the PhD Progress Presentation Meeting

Before the start of the PhD progress presentation give copies of the one-page summary to other faculty members who are attending the session. Submit copies of the complete report to the committee members including your supervisor. No need to present details of any published work. Provide a reprint or preprint, preferably ahead of the meeting. If your work is software based then keep the demo ready. If you do not have a working module then show the video demonstration of the model. This will help the committee members to suggest future directions for your work.

During your PhD progress committee meeting, you should focus on the last six months’ work rather than the background. Only spend as much time on the background as is relevant to what you will be talking about.

There should not be any surprise slides/facts to your supervisor during your committee meeting.

At your first PhD progress Doctoral committee meeting, you will present an outline of your plan for your research. You can build a detailed description of what you plan to do ( literature survey to carry out,  algorithms or theorems to study,  experiments to carry out, software and hardware components to add, systems integration to perform, tests to accomplish ).  The plans can be represented with specific milestones and timelines with a  Gantt Chart .

Example: The sample Gantt chart below shows a set of activities planned for the next few months for the Research work. This can be extended to any length. This chart helps the committee members to know how well the researcher has planned the research activities.

At subsequent PhD progress meetings you should present a brief introduction (one or two slides) to remind the committee of your research area – don’t expect them to recall everything from the last meeting, but no need to go into great detail. Aim to put your work in context.

Show your current working objective in the form of a block diagram. This will set the boundary for the presentation and discussion. This will help the committee members to focus on the specified objective. For example in the figure below the candidate is focusing on the “Wheeled mobile Robot” objective in Robot Path Planning.

Make sure you are comfortable moving back and forth among your slides.  Do not cross the time limit. Add photographs of any field visits for data collection , or conference presentations in your presentation slides. If you had any interactions with domain experts in your area then add interaction details with a date. If you have visited any organization as a resource person relating to your Ph.D. work with your supervisor then add that details.

Seek advice from your committee members during the meeting. Note down all the suggestions by yourself or ask one of your research colleagues to note the same.  This is highly desirable, almost to the point that you should make it mandatory. Give a timeline of your plans. What will you be doing over the next month, and what do you hope to accomplish before your next meeting in the next six months’ time.

Keep additional slides along with your regular slides. Get into additional slides detail if any clarifications are sought on any equations or algorithms etc.

Additional slides can be presented as follows:

i) The equipment details you are planning to purchase or currently using for implementation.

ii) The Algorithms which you have implemented or planning to implement.

iii) The mathematical model you have developed,  or

iv) Any slides that you think are important but do not have time to cover at the end of your presentation.

Here are some tips regarding the presentation, including time management, devices, backup, laptop usage, uploading PowerPoint, video, and audio:

• Practice your presentation beforehand to ensure it fits within the allocated time.
• Use a timer or stopwatch during practice sessions to gauge your pace.
• Be mindful of the time during the actual presentation and make necessary adjustments to stay on track.
• Ensure your laptop or presentation device is in good working condition.
• Carry a backup copy of your presentation on a USB drive or cloud storage.
• Test the compatibility of your presentation files with the equipment at the presentation venue in advance.
• Close any unnecessary applications or notifications on your laptop to avoid distractions.
• Disable sleep mode or screensavers to prevent interruptions during the presentation.
• Familiarize yourself with the laptop’s function keys or shortcuts for adjusting display settings, volume, etc.
• Save your PowerPoint presentation in a compatible format (e.g., PPT or PPTX).
• Verify that all embedded media (images, videos, audio) are properly linked and functional.
• If possible, upload your presentation to the venue’s computer system before the session to avoid last-minute technical issues.
• Check the audio and video components of your presentation beforehand to ensure they work properly.
• If you plan to play a video, ensure it is in a compatible format and smoothly integrated into your presentation.
• Test the sound levels to ensure audibility for everyone in the room.

Additional tips (from personal experience):

• Rehearse your presentation multiple times to build confidence and familiarity with the material.
• Prepare cue cards or key points to refer to if needed, but avoid excessive reliance on them.
• Maintain eye contact with the audience to engage them and convey confidence.
• Speak clearly and project your voice to ensure everyone can hear you.
• Use visual aids and diagrams to enhance understanding and clarify complex concepts.
• Incorporate storytelling or real-life examples to make your presentation more engaging.
• Practice smooth transitions between slides and maintain a logical flow throughout.
• Be prepared to answer questions and engage in discussions following your presentation.

Remember, the more prepared and confident you are, the better you can deliver your presentation effectively.

After the PhD Progress Presentation Meeting

End your  PhD progress committee meeting with a summary of what you have discussed, common points that you have reached and an action plan for the next six months. Your action plan needs to have “actionable” items, specifically what milestones you will work towards after the meeting and approximate timelines.

A written summary of the  PhD progress committee meeting will be prepared by the supervisor and the committee, and that will be sent to the University. You will receive a copy of this and a copy will be placed in your research file.

Send an email note to each of your committee members through your supervisor to thank them for their time, and summarize the action items or milestones you agreed to. This will give your committee members another chance to give you feedback or suggestions.

During the meeting, you might have accepted to complete some implementation before the next meeting, but you may run out of time or you may not get any ideas regarding implementation. In such situations, have a discussion with your supervisor and the committee members and discuss the challenges faced by you. They may either extend the implementation time or ask you to change the methodology of implementation.

Simply do not wait for suggestions from committee members till the next PhD progress presentation meeting. In order to build trust between you and your committee members, you need to take committee members and your supervisor into confidence before taking any major decisions.

In the meeting, the committee might have suggested publishing your work in a quality conference or journal for better citations. Selecting a reputable journal and avoiding predatory conferences and journals is crucial for maximizing the visibility and impact of your research article.

By publishing in a respected journal, you increase the likelihood of attracting a broader and more qualified readership, thus increasing the chances of your article being cited by other researchers. Choosing the right journal involves considering factors such as the journal’s scope, target audience, impact factor, indexing in reputable databases, peer-review process, and overall reputation in the field.

Additionally, it is important to stay vigilant and avoid predatory conferences and journals that may engage in unethical practices or lack rigorous peer-review processes. These predatory outlets may hinder the credibility and recognition of your work. By carefully selecting a reputable journal, you position your research for greater exposure, credibility, and citation potential.

Visit my articles on ” How to identify and avoid predatory conferences and journals ” and “ Identifying Reputable journals for your research paper “. These articles will help you in getting your articles cited by many authors.

Here is an email template which you can communicate to your doctoral committee members in case you fail to keep the deadline or are unable to work on the ideas you proposed. Please take consent from your supervisor before sending any communication to Doctoral Committee members.

Improving both oral presentation and visual presentation skills is crucial for effective communication. To enhance your oral presentation skills, focus on aspects such as clarity, organization, and delivery. Practice speaking clearly, using appropriate tone and volume, and engaging with your audience. Additionally, consider refining your body language, utilizing effective gestures, and maintaining eye contact. For further guidance and resources on honing your oral presentation skills, you may explore reputable platforms and online courses available in this domain.

When it comes to visual presentation skills, it is essential to create visually appealing and impactful slides or visuals. Pay attention to design elements, such as color schemes, fonts, and layout, to ensure coherence and readability. Utilize visuals, such as graphs, charts, and images, to convey information effectively. Incorporate appropriate animations or transitions to enhance the flow and engagement of your presentation. To access valuable tips, techniques, and tools for enhancing your visual presentation skills, you can explore recommended platforms and tutorials available online.

If you are interested in further developing your oral presentation skills, I recommend checking out this comprehensive course on oral presentation skills . It covers essential techniques, strategies, and practical exercises to help you deliver impactful presentations confidently. Likewise, if you want to enhance your visual presentation skills, you may find this resource on v isual presentation design highly beneficial. It provides valuable insights, best practices, and examples to create visually stunning and effective presentations. Feel free to explore these resources to elevate your presentation skills and captivate your audience.

Presenting your PhD progress report to the doctoral committee can be a daunting task, but it is an essential part of your PhD journey. The committee is there to provide guidance and support, ensuring that you are on track to complete your dissertation within a reasonable time. It is crucial to approach the committee meeting with a positive attitude and view it as an opportunity to receive productive advice for your future research.

Remember that the presentation of the progress report to the committee happens in three stages: before, during, and after the meeting. The preparation of the report should be meticulous and thoughtful, and during the meeting, you should be open to constructive feedback and suggestions. After the meeting, you should take note of the committee’s recommendations and use them to shape your future research endeavours.

As you move forward in your career, the support and guidance of the doctoral committee will likely continue to be a valuable resource. By effectively presenting your progress report to the committee, you can make the most of this opportunity and receive the guidance you need to succeed in your PhD program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Research Objective: Clearly state the objective of your research and the problem you are addressing. Methodology: Provide a brief description of the methodology or approach you are using to conduct your research. Key Findings: Highlight the major findings or results you have obtained so far in your research. Progress Update: Summarize the progress you have made during the past six months, highlighting significant achievements or milestones reached. Challenges: Briefly mention any challenges or obstacles you have encountered in your research and how you are addressing them. Future Plans: Outline your planned next steps and future goals for your research, including anticipated timelines or milestones. Relevance and Impact: Discuss the relevance and potential impact of your research in your field or discipline. Support Needed: Specify any specific support, resources, or expertise you require to further advance your research.

To effectively demonstrate a software-based project during the presentation: Have the demo prepared and functional Show a video demonstration if the software is not available or requires specific conditions Focus on showcasing key features and functionalities Provide context and explain the purpose of the software

Include only the necessary level of detail in the background section of your presentation, focusing on what is directly relevant to your research and the specific objectives you will be discussing. Keep it concise and provide enough context to help the doctoral committee members to understand the significance and motivation of your work without delving into unnecessary details.

Maintain open and regular communication with your supervisor throughout the research process. Share progress updates, challenges, and findings with your supervisor in a timely manner. Discuss any potential issues or deviations from the original plan as soon as they arise. Seek feedback and guidance from your supervisor at various stages of your research. Keep your supervisor informed about any changes in methodology, data, or results. Address any concerns or questions from your supervisor before the committee meeting to align expectations.

The types of questions you can expect from committee members regarding your research plan may include: Clarification questions seeking a deeper understanding of your research objectives, methodology, or proposed experiments. Questions about the theoretical framework or literature review supporting your research. Inquiries about the feasibility and potential limitations of your proposed research. Questions related to the significance and impact of your research in the field. Suggestions for alternative approaches or methodologies to consider. Questions about the expected timeline and milestones for your research. Inquiries about potential ethical considerations or data management strategies. Questions exploring the potential implications and practical applications of your research. Requests for additional details or explanations on specific aspects of your research plan. Questions about the expected contributions of your research to the existing body of knowledge in your field.

When responding to suggestions and feedback given by the committee members during the meeting: Listen actively and attentively to understand the suggestions and feedback. Thank the committee members for their input and valuable insights. Remain open-minded and receptive to different perspectives and ideas. Clarify any points of confusion or seek further clarification, if needed. Acknowledge the validity of the suggestions and show a willingness to consider them. Provide thoughtful responses that demonstrate your understanding of the suggestions. Clearly articulate your rationale if you choose not to implement a specific suggestion. Engage in constructive discussions and ask follow-up questions, if appropriate. Demonstrate your ability to integrate feedback into your research plan or adjust your approach. Express gratitude for the committee members’ support and guidance throughout the process.

Lack of Clear Objectives: If your progress presentation fails to clearly define and articulate the objectives of your research, it may be rejected. The committee expects a clear understanding of what you aim to achieve and the significance of your research goals. Inadequate Progress: Insufficient progress made during the specified period can lead to rejection. The committee expects tangible advancements in your research within the given timeframe. If there is a lack of substantial work or limited progress, they may question the feasibility or dedication to your research. Methodological Issues: If there are flaws in your research methodology or data collection techniques, the committee may reject your progress presentation. It is essential to demonstrate a robust and well-designed research approach that aligns with the requirements of your field. Poor Presentation Skills: Your presentation skills play a crucial role in conveying your research effectively. If your presentation lacks clarity, coherence, or fails to engage the audience, it may lead to rejection. Effective communication and the ability to present complex ideas in a concise and understandable manner are vital. Inadequate Literature Review: A comprehensive literature review is expected in a progress presentation. If your review of existing literature is incomplete, lacks depth, or fails to address relevant studies, your presentation may be rejected. It is essential to showcase a thorough understanding of the existing research and its relationship to your work. Failure to Address Committee Feedback: If you neglect to incorporate previous feedback and suggestions from the committee, it may result in rejection. The committee expects you to demonstrate the ability to reflect on and address their recommendations, showing your commitment to improving your research. Remember, the specific parameters for rejection may vary depending on your academic institution and the expectations set by your doctoral committee. It is crucial to consult your supervisor and committee members for clear guidelines and expectations for your progress presentation.

Upcoming Events

• Visit the Upcoming International Conferences at Exotic Travel Destinations with Travel Plan
• Visit for  Research Internships Worldwide

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Recent Posts

• These Institutes Offer Remote Research/Academic Internships
• How to Include Your Journal in the UGC-CARE List? A Guide for Publishers
• Understanding UGC CARE Journals: A Comprehensive Guide
• Top 10 AI-Based Research Paper Abstract Generators
• EditPad Research Title Generator: Is It Helpful to Create a Title for Your Research?
• All Blog Posts
• Research Career
• Research Conference
• Research Internship
• Research Journal
• Research Tools
• Uncategorized
• Research Conferences
• Research Journals
• Research Grants
• Internships
• Research Internships
• Email Templates
• Conferences
• Blog Partners
• Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2024 Research Voyage

Design by ThemesDNA.com

• Undergraduate
• Master’s
• Areas of Focus
• Centers + Institutes
• Labs + Facilities
• Featured Research
• Undergraduate Research
• Graduate Group
• Open Faculty Positions
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Outreach Mission
• Local Programs
• Global Programs
• Why Penn Bioengineering?
• Bioengineering Blog
• Penn Engineering Blog
• Seminars + Events
• Visiting BE
• Make a Gift
• Current Students
• Annual PhD Progress Report

Ph.D. Student Handbook

Annual ph.d. progress report.

Starting in their second year, students will meet with a mentoring committee annually. Prior to candidacy, the mentoring committee will be composed of their Qualifying committee. After candidacy, the mentoring committee will be composed of their Dissertation committee, which depending on the nature of a student’s thesis may include members of the Qualifying committee. At least one week prior to the annual meeting (which also includes the candidacy exam), the student will provide a brief progress report (3-page max, excluding non-mandatory figures), an updated CV, and a copy of their IDP. At the beginning of the meeting, the student will meet alone with the committee, followed by a meeting of the advisor(s) with the committee. The committee chair will fill out the PhD Committee Meeting Report.

Access the Progress Report Submission form her e.

The purpose of the Dissertation Committee is to provide objective advice and fresh points of view to the student and Advisor. A lively discussion may be expected at these meetings, which is sure to benefit the student and the student’s research. Committee meetings are also important for ensuring that the student is: i) on schedule to complete the Thesis in an appropriate time frame, including maintaining the appropriate balance of experiments, analysis, writing, and dissemination; ii) thinking about and effectively pursuing post-graduation career plans; and iii) at the appropriate time is given permission to defend.

Doctoral Program:

• Student Directory
• Fellowships + Support
• New Students
• Transfer Credits
• Degree Requirements
• M.D. + Ph.D.
• V.M.D. + Ph.D.
• Certificate Programs
• Diversity Advisors
• Academic Forms, Advising Resources and Feedback Forms

Your BE Contact:

Kathleen Venit Associate Director, Graduate Programs 240 Skirkanich Hall

Graduate Student Groups:

Graduate Association of Bioengineers

Graduate Student Engineering Group

Writing a progress/status report

By michael ernst, january, 2010.

Writing a weekly report about your research progress can make your research more successful, less frustrating, and more visible to others, among other benefits.

One good format is to write your report in four parts:

• Quote the previous week's plan. This helps you determine whether you accomplished your goals.
• State this week's progress. This can include information such as: what you have accomplished, what you learned, what difficulties you overcame, what difficulties are still blocking you, your new ideas for research directions or projects, and the like.
• Give the next week's plan. A good format is a bulleted list, so we can see what you accomplished or did not. Try to make each goal measurable: there should be no ambiguity as to whether you were able to finish it. It's good to include longer-term goals as well.
• Give an agenda for the meeting. Some people like to send this as a separate message, which is fine.

The report need not be onerous. It can be a few paragraphs or a page, so it shouldn't take you long to write. Minimize details that are not relevant to your audience, such as classwork and the like, in order to keep the report focused; you will spend less time writing it, and make it more likely to be read.

Writing the progress report has many benefits.

Writing the report will make you more productive, because it will force you to think about your work in a manner concretely enough to write down. Any time that you spend organizing your thoughts will more than pay itself back in better understanding and improved productivity. When a project is complete, it is all too easy to forget some of your contributions. You can look back over your progress reports to remember what was difficult, and to think about how to work more productively in the future. You may be able to re-use some of the text when writing up your results.

Writing the report will make your meetings more productive. When you have a weekly research meeting, the report should be sent 24 hours in advance, to help everyone prepare. (Two hours is not an acceptable alternative: it does not let everyone — both you and others — mull over the ideas.) Don't delay your report because you want to wait until you have better results to report. Instead, send the report on schedule, and if you get more results in the next 24 hours, you can discuss those at the meeting.

Writing the report will give you feedback from a new point of view. The report enables others outside your research project to know what you are doing. Those people may respond with ideas or suggestions, which can help get you unstuck or give you additional avenues to explore. It also keeps you on their radar screen and reminds them of your work, which a good thing if you don't meet with them frequently. (For PhD students, a periodic report to the members of your thesis committee can pay big dividends.)

Writing the report helps explain (to yourself especially, but also to others) how you spent your time — even if there isn't as much progress as you would have preferred, you can see that you did work hard, and how to be more efficient or effective in the future.

If your meetings are more frequent than weekly, then the progress report should also be more frequent. If your meetings are less frequent, it's a good idea to still send a progress report each week.

Important tip: Throughout the day, maintain a log of what you have done. This can be a simple text file. You can update it when you start and end a task, or at regular intervals throughout the day. It takes only a moment to maintain the log, and it makes writing the report easy. By contrast, without a log you might forget what you have done during the week, and writing the report could take a long time.

Back to Advice compiled by Michael Ernst .

/images/cornell/logo35pt_cornell_white.svg" alt="progress report in phd"> Cornell University --> Graduate School

Student progress review.

The Student Progress Review (SPR) is an interactive process intended to support the regular exchange of constructive, written feedback between advisees and advisors. It codifies a process for research degree students and their special committees to have at least one formal conversation per year about academic progress and future plans. In academic disciplines where students are encouraged or required to complete an Individual Development Plan (IDP), the SPR process can help fulfill this need.

Using the SPR form, students are asked to reflect on their recent accomplishments, identify challenges, and set goals. Committee chairs then review their students’ SPR forms and enter constructive feedback. Chairs indicate whether progress has been excellent, satisfactory, needs improvement, or is unsatisfactory. Feedback that is documented on the SPR will be made available to the student, all members of the student’s special committee, and the DGS/GFA of the student’s field.

• SPR Form Information
• SPR Form Tips for Students  (PDF)
• SPR Form Tips for Faculty (PDF)

Log into your SPR Forms Portal (for students and faculty approvers) to see forms history and forms awaiting your approval.

Overview of the SPR Process

Step 1: The deadline for students to complete the SPR is April 1. Each graduate field sets its own timing and annual due dates for the SPR process; fields send students instructions and a link to the SPR form at the appropriate time.

Step 2: Student schedules the SPR meeting with their advisor/chair (some fields may expect that this occur in conjunction with a meeting of the special committee). 

Step 3: Student completes their portion of the SPR form. Depending on the field’s practices, the student may submit the form at this point or download a draft version to share with their chair and other special committee members prior to submitting the form through the online system.

Step 4: SPR face-to-face dialog.

Step 5: If the student saved their SPR form as a draft, they may edit the form after meeting with their chair and/or special committee. Upon submission by the student, the form is routed to the special committee chair (after this point the student cannot edit the SPR form unless it is returned to them by their chair).

Step 6: The special committee chair enters written comments and evaluates student progress. Depending on the field’s practices, the chair may incorporate feedback provided by other members of the special committee and graduate field.

Step 7: Contents of the form will be available to the student, the student’s special committee, DGS, and GFA.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is required to complete a SPR?

All M.A., M.S., and doctoral students in who are in the second year of their program or beyond must complete a SPR form each academic year. Students on leave of absence are excluded from this requirement.

What is the deadline to complete the SPR? 

While the Graduate School simply requires that a SPR be completed once each academic year, each graduate field sets its own timeline for students and faculty to complete the SPR. The deadline for students to complete the SPR is April 1. To confirm when the SPR is due for your field please contact your GFA or DGS.

How long will it take to fill out the SPR form? 

For most students it should not be difficult or time-consuming to complete the self-reflection and goal-setting portions of the SPR process. If you run into difficulties or have questions it may be helpful to discuss these with your advisor. The online form allows you to save your responses and return later.

Some of the questions on the SPR don't seem relevant to me. What should I do?

While most questions on the SPR form will be generally applicable to students across a range of fields and academic disciplines, some questions might not apply to your specific situation. It’s perfectly acceptable to note that a question is “Not Applicable,” or to contact your advisor or GFA for more specific instructions.

Can a student share a draft of the SPR form with their chair/committee prior to electronically signing and submitting the finished form? 

Yes; students may save their SPR form as a draft (without submitting) to download and share with their chair and/or special committee via email. They may then return to the online form and edit it before electronically signing and submitting it. See the “SPR Form Tips for Students” (top of this page) for detailed instructions.

Who will see content of the completed SPR form? 

The purpose of the SPR form is to document, in writing, a conversation that should be happening between students and their mentors, so the primary audience of the competed form is, of course, the student and the special committee. Graduate fields provide support and oversight to this advising relationship so the DGS and the GFA will also have access to completed forms. The final SPR, with comments from both the student and advisor, will be added to the student’s file. Staff of the Graduate School will not regularly review SPRs but may contact students who receive ratings of “needs improvement” or “unsatisfactory” to help develop support plans.

Is a SPR needed if students and their advisors already communicate on a regular basis?

Most faculty advisors strive to provide regular, thoughtful feedback. However, the Graduate School has frequently heard that students expect more structured feedback in writing. This is especially important for establishing shared and agreed-upon expectations, for overcoming information that may be incorrect or misunderstood, and for when problems arise. Additionally, research suggests that “formal annual evaluations tend to increase the numbers of students who complete, and are therefore preferable to sporadic and informal reviews . . . Some form of progress-tracking, annually or each semester, allows the student and supervisor to meet and establish objectives for the year. This ensures that both students and advisors be held accountable for timely progress and for constructive feedback” (Council of Graduate Schools, Ph.D. Completion and Attrition).

In the SPR process, what is the role of the special committee chair? 

It is expected that chairs will meet in person with their students to discuss the SPR (some fields may expect that this occur in conjunction with a meeting of the special committee). The SPR meeting provides an opportunity to discuss the student’s overall progress, provide feedback, clarify expectations, and establish shared objectives for the year.  

When a student electronically signs and submits the form, it is routed to their chair. After the form is submitted by the student, they are not able to make edits unless the form is returned to them by the chair using the “reject” function in the online system.

Chairs are expected to complete the faculty feedback section of the form after meeting with the student. Depending on the field’s practices, the chair may also incorporate feedback from the special committee. Core questions in the faculty feedback section ask for written comments about each student’s demonstrated strength and weaknesses, as well as an overall evaluation of the student’s progress. 

After reviewing a student’s entries, how can the advisor/chair return the SPR form to the student for further editing?

The advisor/chair may use the “return” button at the bottom of the SPR form page to send the SPR form back to the student for revisions. The chair will have the opportunity to include a message to the student (e.g., “Please revise goals for the coming year and resubmit”).

What categories are used by faculty to evaluate student's overall progress? 

• Excellent – Exceeds expectations overall; progress and performance are exceptional in one or more areas.
• Most students who are meeting the requirements of their program, making good progress, and developing and acting on thoughtful plans and goals should be assigned this rating.
• This is a signal that some changes are required to get on track for successful completion of the degree. Obstacles and challenges must be addressed through appropriate planning, goal setting, and follow-through. Sometimes a short-term disruption or setback can slow progress, but such challenges can usually be overcome with careful planning and targeted support. It’s important that students and committees develop a plan, make needed adjustments, and check-in with each other frequently. This rating should serve as a clear communication to the student that improvement is needed, and to the special committee and graduate field that monitoring and support will be needed.
• The Graduate School will contact the graduate field, special committee chair, and student to share information about helpful resources and best practices for developing actionable improvement plans. 
• This rating indicates that the student has made little or no academic progress in the preceding one or two semesters to the extent that lack of progress endangers their ability to complete their degree in an appropriate timeframe. Students who are rated as “unsatisfactory” are not considered to be in good academic standing with the Graduate School and may be ineligible for fellowship or assistantship support until they return to good standing.
• The Graduate School will require that students develop a detailed improvement plan with clear timeframes in coordination with their special committee and graduate field.  
• The Graduate School will contact the graduate field, special committee, and student with a message noting that the student is not considered to be in good academic standing. The student will be required to submit for Graduate School approval their improvement plan and a timeline for returning to good standing, developed with input from the special committee chair. 
• The Graduate School will enforce the terms of this plan. If the terms are not met, the student may be withdrawn from their Cornell graduate program.

Progress report

Evaluate your progress.

The progress report allows to better monitor the progress of students in their program. It also makes it possible to evaluate the progress made  during the last year and to define the objectives for the following year. The information provided in the report ensures that all students are making systematic and consistent progress in their research.

It’s also an opportunity for the student and the thesis supervisor to meet and to take stock of the research and adjust accordingly. It is important to take advantage of these meetings to review the research goals and agree on the expected progress in the months to come. It is possible that several versions of the progress report are needed before coming to a final version.

Download the Annual Research Progress Report form (PDF, 796 KB) .

Who must submit a thesis progress report arrow_drop_down

All students registered in a thesis program must submit an annual progress report.   Students who receive scholarships from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) or from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) must also submit progress reports.

How to submit the progress report arrow_drop_down

The student must submit the progress report to the thesis supervisor by submitting a Service Request in the Candidate Center accessible through  uoZone . The supervisor will then assess the student's progress. He or she will decide if the report is satisfactory or not, by comparing the objectives achieved by the student with the objectives established in the previous progress report.  If the student does not reach these objectives, the progress report could be deemed unsatisfactory.  It is therefore important that the student communicates with his supervisor throughout his studies in order to ensure an adequate progression of the academic path and the research. It is also possible that, following a meeting or a consultation, the student and the thesis supervisor decide to modify the objectives established during the last progress report. If this is the case, both must agree with the changes.

Once reviewed and approved by the thesis supervisor, the report will be submitted to the administration for verification and final approval.  The progress report will then be noted in the student's file.

When to submit a progress report arrow_drop_down

First report: During the second year of the program, specifically during the 4th term. Some faculties or units may however require a progress report before the 4th term. Following reports: One report per year until the submission of the thesis. If the progress is unsatisfactory, a report may be required more frequently.

Please note:

• If the student has been granted an extension to complete the program, he or she will have to submit a progress report each term.
• If the student is requesting a leave of absence, he or she must submit a progress report at the same time in order for the request to be approved.

Unsatisfactory progress reports arrow_drop_down

A progress report may be deemed unsatisfactory by the thesis supervisor or by the administration. 

A report can be unsatisfactory for several reasons. For example:

• The thesis supervisor thinks that the student should be more advanced in the research;
• External factors are influencing the research;
• The objectives achieved by the student are not sufficient and/or are not aligned with the established objectives;
• The research findings are not clear or do not support the thesis sufficiently.

In the case of an unsatisfactory report, the student will be informed of the imposed recommendations to follow. For example:

• Submit a detailed study plan;
• Establish more detailed goals with the thesis supervisor;
• Meet with a thesis committee.

Please note:  After being informed that the report was unsatisfactory, the student will be asked to submit a new progress report that must be satisfactory before the next term.  Students who receive two unsatisfactory progress reports during their studies shall be withdrawn from the program.

Consequences of not submitting a progress report arrow_drop_down

If the student fails to submit a progress report, the access to registration will be blocked until the student remedies the situation. Not registering could have major financial impact and may eventually lead to the student's academic file being closed without further notice.  Any scholarship may be suspended or cancelled.

Tips for establishing effective communication with your thesis supervisor arrow_drop_down

• The student must stay in touch with the thesis supervisor and meetings should be frequent to ensure the supervisor is well informed of the student's progress;
• uOttawa encourages students to prepare self-evaluation reports on a regular basis and give them to the supervisor for feedback;
• After each meeting, the student could make a summary including items discussed and the progress reached;
• At the end of each meeting the student and the supervisor should plan the next meetings and establish objectives to be met. If possible, set the date of the following meeting.

Secondary Menu

• Research Progress Report/Prelim Document

The preparation and submission of the Research Progress Report/Prelim Document emphasizes your research accomplishment at an early stage. The report also provides practice in technical writing, an important part of graduate training. The report serves as a first concrete step toward the preliminary examination, and the revised and updated version will also serve as the written document that guides the examination. As such, the report demonstrates your accomplished research and an understanding of the project, and is used to measure (and correct) your organizational and technical writing ability. It should be completed with minimal input from the research advisor.

A written prelim document  will be submitted by each student to the Director of Graduate Studies Assistant no later than March 1 of the Spring semester of year two. If a student’s affiliation with a lab is delayed due to not completing the required coursework stipulated in Section C or placement on academic probation due to poor academic performance, the preliminary exam will not be deferred.

The report will be evaluated by all members of the student’s supervisory committee, each providing critical comments and suggestions for revisions, both on the prelim document itself and the Chemistry Thesis Assessment Protocol (ChemTAP) worksheets provided. The report and comments will be returned to the student by March 15. A final and updated version of this report will serve as the written document for the preliminary examination and will be considered part of the examination.

Report Structure

The report should normally include the following sections. The body of the document should contain no more than 2500 words, not counting figures, references, and any appended experimental details. Students are encouraged to consult the ACS Style Guide and/or research journals in their research area for guidance on matters of style and format.

• Abstract of no more than 100 words.
• Introduction section that should state the broad goals and specific aims of the research, point to the significance and/or relevance of the research, and should provide sufficient background to place the research in the context of past and ongoing work in the research area, e.g. the literature.
• Methods - brief section outlining relevant methods employed in the research, with expanded experimental details appended outside the body of the document as necessary.
• Results - this section should summarize progress to date.
• Discussion section
• Future Work

When submitting the final draft of preliminary exam document to the committee the student should also provide a summary of their changes.

• Chem Connect Lecture Series
• Related Groups
• Instrument Facilities
• Room Reservations
• Use of Facilities
• Guidance on Acceptable Use of AI
• Proposal and Grant Development
• Location & Directions
• Safety Manual
• Diagnostic Quiz
• Minor Requirements
• B.S. Requirements
• A.B. Requirements
• Graduation with Distinction
• Undergraduate Awards
• Transfer Credits
• Summer Research Opportunities
• Finding a Research Director and Group
• Requirements
• Registration
• Study Abroad
• Duke Community Standard
• Undergraduate Handbook
• Writing a Senior Thesis
• Appendix on Safety
• Oral Reports
• Poster Sessions
• Sources for Scientific Writing
• Tutors and Chemistry Help
• Trinity Ambassadors
• Lab Rotations
• Responsible Conduct in Research Training
• Teaching Requirement
• Supervisory Committee
• Preliminary Examination
• Oral Presentation Requirement
• Propositional Examination
• Annual Progress Reporting
• Dissertation & Final Examination
• Chemistry Guidance on Acceptable Use of AI for Milestone Exams
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Graduate Recruitment Weekend
• Learn more about Chemistry, Duke and Durham
• Financial Support
• Living in Durham
• Useful Resources
• Fellowship Opportunities
• Student Organizations
• Admitted students
• Defending soon?
• Departmental Mentoring Statement
• Biomolecular Structure & Function
• Nanoscience & Materials
• Theoretical
• Mass Spectrometry
• Spectroscopy and Other Instruments
• Sample Submissions
• Instrument Rates
• Research & Discoveries
• Computing Resources
• Primary Faculty
• Secondary Faculty
• Research, Teaching, Adjunct Faculty
• Emeritus Faculty
• Researchers
• Graduate Students
• Assisting Duke Students
• For Our Students

This site is fully related to medical laboratory information for public and health care professionals.

PhD Semester Progress Report- Introduction, Contents, and Keynotes

Introduction.

Table of Contents

Writing a PhD semester progress report involves summarizing your academic and research activities over the semester. This report is important for tracking your progress, identifying challenges, and planning future work.

Contents for PhD Semester Progress Report

Here’s a guide on how to structure and write an effective PhD semester progress report:

Title: Include the title of your report. Name: Your full name. Program: Your PhD program. Advisor’s Name: Your advisor’s full name. Date: The submission date. Semester: Specify the semester (e.g., Fall 2023).

Purpose: Briefly state the purpose of the progress report. Overview: Give a quick overview of your PhD topic or area of study.

Academic Progress

Courses Taken: List the courses you have taken this semester, including any seminars or workshops. Include grades if they are available. Skills Developed: Discuss any new skills you have acquired that are relevant to your research.

Research Progress

Objectives: Outline the main research objectives for the semester. Methodology: Briefly describe the methods used for research. Results: Present the results you have achieved so far. Include preliminary data, if applicable. Challenges and Solutions: Discuss any challenges you faced and how you addressed them.

Meetings and Interactions

Advisor Meetings: Summarize the frequency and content of your meetings with your advisor. Collaborations: Mention any collaborations with other researchers or institutions. Conferences and Presentations: List any academic conferences you attended, along with presentations or posters you contributed.

Future Work

Next Steps: Outline your plans for the next semester or phase of your research. Goals: Set specific goals or milestones you aim to achieve.

Summary: Conclude with a summary of your progress and any insights or reflections on your PhD journey so far.

Appendices (if necessary)

Additional Data: Include any supplementary data or details that support your report, such as charts, graphs, or detailed findings. Bibliography: List any references or literature that have been significant to your research.

Formatting Tips

Clarity and Conciseness: Use clear and concise language to ensure your report is easily understandable. Consistency: Maintain a consistent format throughout the report in terms of fonts, headings, and layout. Proofreading: Thoroughly proofread your report to eliminate any grammatical or typographical errors. This structure helps to organize your thoughts and provides a clear record of your activities and achievements. Adjust the categories based on your specific research and academic requirements.

Keynotes on PhD Semester Progress Report

Writing a PhD progress report is a crucial part of documenting the development and accomplishments in your research project. Here are some key notes to consider when preparing your report:

• Purpose and Audience Purpose: Understand that the primary purpose of a progress report is to showcase your accomplishments, detail your plans, and demonstrate your ongoing commitment to the project. Audience: Tailor your report to your audience, which usually includes your supervisor, department head, and possibly other faculty members involved in your program.
• Clarity and Structure Clear Objective: Start with a clear statement of your research objectives. Make sure the goals of your project are well-defined and articulate how your activities during the reporting period have advanced these goals. Logical Structure: Organize your report in a logical manner. Typical sections include Introduction, Academic Progress, Research Progress, Challenges and Solutions, Future Work, and Conclusion.
• Comprehensive Content Academic and Research Activities: Include details about courses, seminars, workshops, readings, experiments, and other relevant activities. Results and Findings: Highlight key findings and data. Use figures, tables, and charts to illustrate points clearly. Challenges and Solutions: Discuss any obstacles encountered and how you addressed them. This shows your problem-solving capabilities and resilience. Future Directions: Specify what steps you plan to take next in your research. This shows foresight and planning.
• Consistency and Accuracy Consistency: Use a consistent format for headings, subheadings, font sizes, and styles throughout the report. This enhances readability and professionalism. Accuracy: Ensure all data and factual information are accurate. Cite sources appropriately if you refer to other works.
• Feedback Incorporation Advisory Meetings: Document the feedback received during meetings with your advisor and any other committee members. Reflect on how this feedback has shaped your project. Responsive Changes: Show how you have incorporated or plan to incorporate this feedback into your research.
• Professional Presentation Formal Language: Use formal academic language and avoid colloquialisms or overly casual phrases. Proofreading: Thoroughly proofread your document to eliminate grammatical errors, typos, and other mistakes. Consider using professional editing software or assistance.
• Regular Updates Timeliness: Submit your progress report according to the timeline stipulated by your department. Regular reporting helps avoid last-minute rushes and ensures thorough documentation of your progress.
• Ethical Considerations Honesty: Be honest about what has and has not been achieved. Transparency in reporting problems or delays is crucial for building trust with your advisory committee.
• Appendices and Supplementary Materials Supporting Documents: Include any additional documents that support your narrative. This can be raw data, full survey results, detailed figures, or scripts used for analysis. By keeping these key points in mind, you can craft a comprehensive and effective PhD progress report that not only documents your progress but also strategically plans for future success in your research endeavors.

Read Also...

• Biomedical Science and Research: Introduction, and Keynotes
• SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Laboratory Proficiency Testing…
• Journal Articles Summarizing Tips-Introduction,…
• SOP, Personal Statement, and Letter of Motivation:…
• Some key points to consider during the reviewing a…
• Drug of Abuse (DOA) Panel: Introduction, Test Panel,…
• CT IVU: Introduction, Uses, Centers in Kathmandu,…
• Thyroid Scan (Thyroid Scintigraphy): Introduction,…

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

If you opt in above we use this information send our latest articles and medical notes.

Progress Report

• Handbook More
• Admin. Structure More
• Program Assessment Plan More
• Timeline for Progress More
• New Student Info More
• Course Requirements More
• Core Curriculum More
• Elective Courses More
• Doctoral Minors More
• Registration More
• Lab Rotations More
• Thesis Advisor Responsibilities More
• Thesis Student Responsibilities More
• Thesis Committee More
• Curric. Certification More
• Preliminary Exam More
• Seminar Requirement More
• Progress Report More
• Thesis Defense More
• MD/PhD Program More
• Direct Admit Students More
• Financial/Insurance More
• Grievance Policy More
• Conduct More

All students are required to conduct a yearly Progress Report meeting with their Thesis Committee after passing the Preliminary Exam. This meeting ensures that the student is making satisfactory research progress toward their PhD and provides a mechanism for the student to identify areas of strength and weakness in their development as an independent scientist. The Progress Report meeting must be scheduled by May 17 and completed by August 31 of the third, fourth, and fifth year. Failure to do so will result in a hold being placed on the student’s registration. If an in person meeting is not possible, please see the CMB Virtual Meeting Guide .

Requirements to Complete

Prior to the progress report meeting:.

• Schedule the Progress Report meeting with the Thesis Committee
• Send an email notification with the scheduled meeting date to the CMB Office by the May 17 deadline (failure to do so will result in a hold being placed on the student’s registration)
• Prepare a presentation of the research progress
• Obtain and complete the Progress Report form, available on the CMB Forms section of the CMB website
• Submit the Progress Report form to the Thesis Committee one week in advance of your meeting
• Update your Individual Development Plan (strongly recommended, but not required unless supported by NIH funding)

At the Progress Report Meeting:

• Your Thesis Advisor is the Chair of the Progress Report meeting
• Give a presentation describing the past year’s accomplishments
• The presentation and Progress Report will be discussed by the student and the Thesis Committee
• At least three Thesis Committee members must be present at the meeting and must sign the Progress Report form
• At the close of the meeting, the student should step out of the room and the committee should craft actionable advice to aid the student’s progress. This guidance should be communicated to the student upon there reentrance, with a written summary included in section 4 of the progress report form.
• The thesis mentor should then leave the room, allowing the thesis committee and the student to collaboratively explore avenues for the advisor’s mentorship development. The resultant advice should be communicated to the advisor post-meeting by a committee member.
• If necessary, the student should meet individually with the rest of the committee to get their input and signatures after the meeting

Submit the Following Materials:

• Submit the signed Progress Report form to the CMB Office by the August 31 deadline (failure to do so will result in a hold being placed on the student’s registration)

Six-Month Meeting

• A few months prior to the thesis defense, students should have a meeting with their committee to determine whether they are ready to move on to the thesis defense. The committee should agree the student is ready before the thesis defense is scheduled. This meeting usually occurs about six months prior to the defense but the timing can vary significantly.
• At the six-month meeting, students should present an outline of their thesis to their committee. Consider including a chapter that communicates the PhD research to the public. The chapter can be submitted for a Wisconsin Initiative for Science Literacy (WISL) award. For more information about the WISL award click here.
• Fill out and submit a Progress Report Form and check the box indicating that this is your six-month meeting.

Sample Thesis Outline for Six-Month Meeting

I. Chapter 1: Introduction*

II. Chapter 2: Paper 1 (published, submitted, or in preparation)**

III. Chapter 3: Paper 2 (same as Chapter 2)

IV. Chapter 4: Paper 3 (same as Chapter 2)

V. Chapter 5: Future directions

VI. Appendix 1: Unpublished data***

VII. Appendix 2: Unpublished data (same as Appendix 1)

*Provide a chapter title that encapsulates the topic for the entire thesis.

**Provide the paper title. It would also be helpful to include subheadings (A, B, C…) with the major findings of the paper.

***Provide a title for data that do not fit into one of the paper chapters but constitute an important part of your thesis research.  Each appendix could include single or multiple figures.

Time To Degree

The CMB Program desires and expects its students to graduate in a timely fashion, as this is in the best interests of the individual students and the program as a whole.  However, it must be recognized that different students progress at different rates, and any given student may encounter unexpected problems beyond their control that extend their time to degree. To ensure that these competing factors are balanced, the CMB Program Chair will automatically bring to the attention of the Coordinating Committee (CC) any students who are entering their 8th year in the CMB Program. The CC will examine such situations and determine on a case-by-case basis whether or not there are extenuating circumstances that merit continuation of the student in the CMB Program. If the CC determines that there are no extenuating circumstances, the CC will intervene as appropriate based on each individual case. Options for intervention include, but are not limited to, a terminal MS degree for the student.

Study at Cambridge

About the university, research at cambridge.

• Undergraduate courses
• Events and open days
• Fees and finance
• Postgraduate courses
• How to apply
• Postgraduate events
• Fees and funding
• International students
• Continuing education
• Executive and professional education
• Courses in education
• How the University and Colleges work
• Term dates and calendars
• Visiting the University
• Annual reports
• Equality and diversity
• A global university
• Public engagement
• Give to Cambridge
• For Cambridge students
• For our researchers
• Business and enterprise
• Colleges & departments
• Email & phone search
• Museums & collections
• Current students
• PhD students
• Progression
• Department of Computer Science and Technology

Sign in with Raven

• People overview
• Research staff
• Professional services staff
• Affiliated lecturers
• Overview of Professional Services Staff
• Seminars overview
• Weekly timetable
• Wednesday seminars
• Wednesday seminar recordings ➥
• Wheeler lectures
• Computer Laboratory 75th anniversary ➥
• women@CL 10th anniversary ➥
• Job vacancies ➥
• Library resources ➥
• How to get here
• William Gates Building layout
• Contact information
• Department calendar ➥
• Accelerate Programme for Scientific Discovery overview
• Data Trusts Initiative overview
• Pilot Funding FAQs
• Research Funding FAQs
• Cambridge Ring overview
• Ring Events
• Hall of Fame
• Hall of Fame Awards
• Hall of Fame - Nominations
• The Supporters' Club overview
• Industrial Collaboration
• Annual Recruitment Fair overview
• Graduate Opportunities
• Summer internships
• Technical Talks
• Supporter Events and Competitions
• How to join
• Collaborate with Us
• Cambridge Centre for Carbon Credits (4C)
• Equality and Diversity overview
• Athena SWAN
• E&D Committee
• Support and Development
• Targeted funding
• LGBTQ+@CL overview
• Links and resources
• Queer Library
• women@CL overview
• About Us overview
• Friends of women@CL overview
• Twentieth Anniversary of Women@CL
• Tech Events
• Students' experiences
• Contact overview
• Mailing lists
• Scholarships
• Initiatives
• Dignity Policy
• Outreach overview
• Women in Computer Science Programme
• Google DeepMind Research Ready programme overview
• Accommodation and Pay
• Application
• Eligibility
• Raspberry Pi Tutorials ➥
• Wiseman prize
• Research overview
• Application areas
• Research themes
• Algorithms and Complexity
• Computer Architecture overview
• Creating a new Computer Architecture Research Centre
• Graphics, Vision and Imaging Science
• Human-Centred Computing
• Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
• Mobile Systems, Robotics and Automation
• Natural Language Processing
• Programming Languages, Semantics and Verification
• Systems and Networking
• Research groups overview
• Energy and Environment Group overview
• Declaration
• Publications
• Past seminars
• Learning and Human Intelligence Group overview
• Quantum Computing Group
• Technical Reports
• Admissions information
• Undergraduate admissions overview
• Open days and events
• Undergraduate course overview overview
• Making your application
• Admissions FAQs
• Super curricular activities
• MPhil in Advanced Computer Science overview
• Applications
• Course structure
• Funding competitions
• Prerequisites
• PhD in Computer Science overview
• Application forms
• Research Proposal
• Funding competitions and grants
• Part-time PhD Degree
• Premium Research Studentship
• Current students overview
• Part IB overview
• Part IB group projects overview
• Important dates
• Design briefs
• Moodle course ➥
• Learning objectives and assessment
• Technical considerations
• After the project
• Part II overview
• Part II projects overview
• Project suggestions
• Project Checker groups
• Project proposal
• Advice on running the project
• Progress report and presentation
• The dissertation
• Supervisor briefing notes
• Project Checker briefing notes
• Past overseer groups ➥
• Part II Supervision sign-up
• Part II Modules
• Part II Supervisions overview
• Continuing to Part III overview
• Continuing to Part III: 2023 guidance
• Part III of the Computer Science Tripos
• Overview overview
• Information for current Masters students overview
• Special topics
• Part III and ACS projects overview
• Submission of project reports
• ACS projects overview
• Guidance for ACS projects
• Part III projects overview
• Guidance for Part III projects
• Preparation
• Registration
• Induction - Masters students
• PhD resources overview
• Deadlines for PhD applications
• Protocol for Graduate Advisers for PhD students
• Guidelines for PhD supervisors
• Induction information overview
• Important Dates
• Who is here to help
• Exemption from University Composition Fees
• Being a research student
• Researcher Development
• Research skills programme
• First Year Report: the PhD Proposal
• Second Year Report: Dissertation Schedule
• Third Year Report: Progress Statement
• Fourth Year: writing up and completion overview
• PhD thesis formatting
• Writing up and word count
• Submitting your dissertation
• Papers and conferences
• Leave to work away, holidays, and intermission
• List of PhD students ➥
• PAT, recycling, and Building Services
• Freshers overview
• Cambridge University Freshers' Events
• Undergraduate teaching information and important dates
• Course material 2023/24 ➥
• Course material 2024/25 ➥
• Exams overview
• Examination dates
• Examination results ➥
• Examiners' reports ➥
• Part III Assessment
• MPhil Assessment
• Past exam papers ➥
• Examinations Guidance 2023-24
• Marking Scheme and Classing Convention
• Guidance on Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct
• Purchase of calculators
• Examinations Data Retention Policy
• Guidance on deadlines and extensions
• Mark Check procedure and Examination Review
• Lecture timetables overview
• Understanding the concise timetable
• Supervisions overview
• Part II supervisions overview ➥
• Part II supervision sign-up ➥
• Supervising in Computer Science
• Supervisor support
• Directors of Studies list
• Academic exchanges
• Advice for visiting students taking Part IB CST
• Summer internship: Optimisation of DNN Accelerators using Bayesian Optimisation
• UROP internships
• Resources for students overview
• Student SSH server
• Online services
• Managed Cluster Service (MCS)
• Microsoft Software for personal use
• Installing Linux
• Part III and MPhil Machines
• Transferable skills
• Course feedback and where to find help overview
• Providing lecture feedback
• Fast feedback hotline
• Staff-Student Consultative Forum
• Breaking the silence ➥
• Student Administration Offices
• Intranet overview
• New starters and visitors
• Forms and templates
• Building management
• Health and safety
• Teaching information
• Research admin
• Miscellaneous
• Fourth Year: writing up and completion
• PhD resources

All candidates for the PhD Degree are admitted on a probationary basis. A student's status with the Student Registry is that he or she will be registered for the CPGS in Computer Science . At the end of the first academic year, a formal assessment of progress is made. In the Department of Computer Science and Technology, this takes the form of a single document of no more than 10,000 words in length, exclusive of tables, bibliography and appendices.

The document is principally a PhD Proposal . That is, a document that demonstrates a clear path from the candidate's current position to a complete PhD thesis at the end of the third year. The document has two purposes: (i) to help the candidate to reflect on and plan their research project and (ii) to allow the Computer Laboratory to assess the student's progress and planned research.

In the document, the candidate should do the following:

• Identify a potential problem or topic to address for the PhD.
• identifying the seminal prior research in the topic area
• the most closely related prior work, and
• their strengths and weaknesses.

The goal is to show the limitations (or lack) of previous work. One method that could be employed to do this is to provide both a taxonomy of prior work and a gap analysis table: a table whose rows are the closest related work, the columns are the desired attributes of the solution, and each table entry is a Yes or a No. This would then clearly show that no prior work meets all the desired attributes.

This section of the document might be expected to form the basis of part of the candidate's final PhD thesis.

Candidates should have already done some preliminary research. This may be early attempts at proofs, a detailed analysis of existing methods, a critique of existing systems, assembly and testing of investigative apparatus, conduct of a pilot experiment, etc. This section of the document may form the basis of a chapter of the final PhD thesis. It is common for the candidate to have produced an academic paper (even if this is a minor paper for a workshop, for example), where they are the main author. The paper does not need to have been published, but the assessors should be able to see that it is of potentially publishable quality. Such a paper can be submitted as an appendix to the document; in this case the material in the paper should not be reproduced in the document, but should be summarised briefly in a self-contained way.

This should indicate, at a high level, the research that might be undertaken in the second and third years of the PhD. It needs to show that there is a viable route to a thesis in two years' time. In particular, it must state the specific research question or questions that are being addressed. If there are more than one question being addressed, it needs to be made clear how they are interconnected and how answering them would result in a coherent thesis story. They need to also be accompanied with a brief discussion of why they are important and interesting questions that are worthy of a Cambridge PhD, and why they are new (the gap analysis table could be used for this). Next, the candidate needs to describe the proposed method of attacking the questions, for example, by listing the major steps to completion through the next two years.

Some candidates find it useful to structure this as a cohesive one-page summary of the proposed thesis, with a tentative title, a paragraph setting the context, and three or four paragraphs describing chunks of the proposed research, each of which could be the basis for an academic paper and each of which could be expected to be a chapter of the final thesis. The chapters should make a cohesive overarching narrative of the thesis, rather than be stand-alone pieces of work.

A paragraph identifying criteria for success is recommended where the candidate explains how they will convince the research community that their approach is successful.

Potential risks are recommended to be identified: what could derail this methodology (technically) and if this happens what is plan B?

• Timeplan: provide a detailed timetable, with explicit milestones for each term in the next two years against which the candidate will measure their progress. This would ideally include technical tasks that are planned to be accomplished during each time chunk.

It is essential that the supervisor(s) agrees that the document may be submitted. The document will be read by two other members of staff (assessors), who will interview the student about the content of the document in a viva. It should therefore give sufficient information that the assessors can satisfy themselves that all is well. It is expected that the interview will take place before the end of the first year.

Submission deadlines (electronic)

• For students admitted in Michaelmas Term, by June 30, 23:59
• For students admitted in Lent Term, October 30, 23:59
• For students admitted in Easter Term, by January 30, 23:59

All submissions should be made electronically via the filer.

Electronic version (in PDF format) should be provided via the PhD report and thesis upload page . This deposits uploaded files on the departmental filer at /auto/anfs/www-uploads/phd = \\filer.cl.cam.ac.uk\webserver\www-uploads\phd.

Students intending to take up research placements during the vacations which begin on, before, or shortly after the submission deadlines must submit their report one month before departure to enable the examination process to be completed before the internship begins . No other extensions will be permitted unless otherwise authorized by the Secretary of the Degree Committee.

Oral examination

The student will be invited to discuss the documents with two assessors appointed by the student's principal supervisor. Neither of the assessors should be the student's principal supervisor though one may be the student's second advisor. Occasionally, the principal supervisor may be invited to clarify elements of the PhD Proposal and to attend the viva as an observer.

Where the initial PhD Proposal document is unsatisfactory, the assessors must ask for a revised submission and arrange a further discussion. Where the PhD Proposal is acceptable, it may still help the student to record suggested modifications in a final version of the Proposal. A copy of the revised document must be submitted to the Secretary of the Degree Committee.

The PhD Proposal document is internal to the Laboratory. However, since it is the basis for formal progress reports including registration for the PhD Degree and those made to funding bodies, assessors should endeavour to arrange a meeting where the documents should be assessed and discussed by the end of the student's first year at the latest. The Secretary of the Degree Committee should be informed of the result by the assessors and by the supervisor on the Postgraduate Feedback and Reporting System as soon as possible thereafter.

The report will be considered by the Degree Committee which will make its recommendations on the registration of the student to the Board of Graduate Studies.

In those cases where the student's progress is wholly inadequate, the supervisor should give them a written warning by 15 September (or the appropriate corresponding date - 15 December or 15 March) that they are in danger of termination, with copy to the Secretary of the Degree Committee.

The word limit is a maximum; it is not a target. Successful PhD Proposal documents can be significantly shorter than the limit. Writing within the word limit is important. It is part of the discipline of producing reports. When submitting reports (and the final PhD thesis), students will be required to sign a Statement of Word Length to confirm that the work does not exceed the limit of length prescribed (above) for the CPGS examination.

Originality

Attention is drawn to the University's guidance concerning plagiarism. The University states that "Plagiarism is defined as submitting as one's own work that which derives in part or in its entirety from the work of others without due acknowledgement. It is both poor scholarship and a breach of academic integrity." The Faculty's guidance concerning plagiarism and good academic practice can be found at https://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/teaching/exams/plagiarism.html .

Reports may be soft-bound in comb-binding or stapled.

Secretary of the Degree Committee September 2013, updated September 2021, updated March 2022

Department of Computer Science and Technology University of Cambridge William Gates Building 15 JJ Thomson Avenue Cambridge CB3 0FD

Information provided by [email protected]

Privacy policy

Social media

© 2024 University of Cambridge

• Contact the University
• Accessibility
• Freedom of information
• Privacy policy and cookies
• Statement on Modern Slavery
• Terms and conditions
• University A-Z
• Undergraduate
• Postgraduate
• Research news
• About research at Cambridge
• Spotlight on...

Progress Reports

The PhD programme is supported by a rigorous process for reporting progress as required by the regulations for the PhD degree.

The relevant regulations are as follows:

(a) While a candidate is provisionally admitted to the degree programme, progress reports signed by the candidate, supervisor(s), Head of Department and Pro-Vice-Chancellor shall be submitted at six-monthly intervals from the date of initial admission.

(b) Once confirmation has been granted, progress reports signed by the candidate, supervisors and Head of Department shall be submitted annually.

(c) If an unsatisfactory report is received, the Senate may, after appropriate consultation, terminate the candidacy.

The following pages contain key information regarding progress reporting

• Principles and Purposes of Progress Reporting
• Timing of Progress Reports
• The Reporting Process

Faculty of Graduate Research Te Here Tāura Rangahau

Progress reports.

Both PhD and Master’s thesis students must submit regular progress reports.

Progress reporting helps to ensure that candidates receive quality supervision, make suitable progress with their research, receive access to resources and have plans in place for the next phases of their research. If you see problems emerging of any kind, it is best to be open about them in your report. Where problems are identified, these reports allow for steps to be taken to resolve them as soon as possible. You can raise any issues of concern to you. These might include:

• the type or amount of feedback you get from your supervisor
• library facilities
• research resources
• ... or anything else.

Issues raised in these reports that are of concern to postgraduate students generally will be brought to the attention of the Wellington Faculty of Graduate Research.

PhD candidates

Every May and November , PhD candidates and those enrolled in the thesis component of a professional doctorate must complete a Candidate Development Plan (CDP).

Candidate Development Plans are completed online. Students will be notified by email when each reporting round opens; the email will contain a link to the online system or you can access the system here .

Please refer to the information below to familiarise yourself with the Candidate Development Plan process.

• pdf 101.4KB Candidate Development Plan (CDP) FAQ for VUW Doctoral Students
• pdf 811.4KB Students How to navigate Research Master
• pdf 1.6MB Staff How to navigate Research Master

If you are a professional doctorate candidate you are only required to complete CDPs during Part 2 of your programme.

Master’s by Thesis students

Master’s by Thesis students are required to submit progress reports at set points during their enrolment.

The Confirmation of Master’s Research Proposal is due after one month, the Interim Progress Report after three months and the Final Progress Report after eight months. These deadlines are pro rata for part-time students.

Master of Architecture students enrolled in a research portfolio should be aware that the above timeframes differ.

You can find information on timelines for full-time and part-time study and learn how to submit mandatory progress reports here .

Research guidance, Research Journals, Top Universities

PhD Six Month Progress Report Sample/ Format

Annexure-II

UNIVERSITY NAME

SEMESTER WISE PROGRESS REPORT OF THE RESEARCH SCHOLAR CONFIDENTIAL

Six Monthly Progress Report of the Research work done for the period from 01 November 2017 to April 2018 of the Research Scholar.

• Name of the Research Scholar:  Mr. Daniel Sehwag
• Subject:   Computer Science
• Topic registered for Ph.D. Degree:  Optimum web personalization system using semantic annotation.
• Research paper published during this tenure and conference/seminar attended (if any)

  A. Research Paper Published:

• An optimum approach for preprocessing of web user query.

B. Conferences Attended:

• National Conference – 2
• International Conference – 3

C. Workshop Attended:

• One Week National Workshop on  “Statistics through SPSS and R” at   University of Texas.
• Three day National workshop on Research Methodology at GCW Parade, India.

Name of the Supervisor: Dr. Arjun Kumar

Name of the Co-Supervisor: Dr. Flemming

Description of the guidance                 

___________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

Signature of Candidate

Remarks of the supervisor on the work done by the candidate on topic:

   …………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………..…………………………

Signature of the supervisor

Remarks of the co-supervisor on the work done by the candidate on topic:

Signature of the co-supervisor

PhD six month progress report sample  PPT | PhD  half-yearly  progress report sample | 1st year  PhD progress report  example first year  PhD | PhD six month progress report sample

Share this:

Leave a comment cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

The Future of the Portrait of a Graduate: Battelle for Kids releases comprehensive report

Navigator blog.

Battelle for Kids announces the release of its seminal report, “The Future of the Portrait of a Graduate.”  The comprehensive report evaluates a decade of progress in transforming education through the implementation of the Portrait of a Graduate framework. The report offers valuable insights and practical guidance for educators, policymakers, and community leaders committed to preparing students for a dynamic and unpredictable world.  You can get your copy of the report here.

Reflecting on two decades of high-stakes standardized testing, the report underscores the critical need to move beyond performance metrics to foster a more meaningful and engaging educational experience.  

“The relentless focus on test scores has often left students struggling to find personal relevance and joy in their education,” states Mike Duncan, Ed.D., president & CEO of Battelle for Kids. “Our new report highlights how the Portrait of a Graduate framework can reorient educational strategies to prioritize both rigorous academic content and durable skills. As a former superintendent, adopting this approach in my district shifted my focus from mere test scores to infusing education with meaning and joy, emphasizing real-world applications and fostering student independence.”  

Key takeaways from the report include:  

• Catalyst for Transformation: The Portrait is a powerful framework for a unified community vision, but lasting change requires a systemwide sustained effort and commitment from all stakeholders.  
• Student and Educator Empowerment: Engaging students and teachers in the Portrait process fosters empowerment and validates their perspectives, shaping concept-based teaching and learning where both rigorous academic content and durable skills work in concert.  
• Durable Skills Focus: Durable skills serve as a common ground, aligning stakeholders across diverse sectors to recognize their importance.  
• Importance of Community Engagement: Deep community engagement and transparent communication are pivotal for successful Portrait implementation, driving support and action.  
• Alignment with Workforce Needs: By integrating durable skills into academic content, the Portrait aligns education with workforce demands, preparing students for diverse post-secondary pathways.  
• Sustainable Momentum Through Practice: Strong leadership, consistent practice, and integration of the Portrait into all aspects of the school district drive momentum and ensure long-term sustainability.  

“The Future of the Portrait of a Graduate” is the culmination of extensive research, community engagement, and practical experience. The report features contributions from key stakeholders, including the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, AASA, The School Superintendents Association, and America Succeeds. Additionally, with 70% of EdLeader2 1 Network member districts having implemented a Portrait, the report amplifies the voices of various district superintendents and central office leaders, offering tangible examples of real-world application and impact.  

The report includes insights into the planning, design, and implementation of Portraits from more than a dozen districts across the nation, including rural, suburban, and urban systems.  

Battelle for Kids is committed to helping school districts and state agencies create and implement unified visions that rally their communities around effectively preparing future-ready students. The report marks the beginning of continuous efforts. In the coming year, Battelle for Kids will lead and support initiatives to shape the future of the Portrait of a Graduate.  

“As we look ahead, it’s clear that the Portrait of a Graduate continues to be a guiding light for educational transformation,” remarks Colon Lewis, Ed.D., chief learning officer at Battelle for Kids. “By embracing these insights and lessons learned, we can pave the way for a more equitable and future-ready education system.” 

To engage with the Portrait of a Graduate movement and access the full report, visit https://bfk.me/future . 

© 2024, Battelle for Kids. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy