As a grad student in chemical engineering, I'm not sure I entirely get the joke. I can answer both "How is your research going?" and "How long until you finish

As a grad student in chemical engineering, I'm not sure I entirely get the joke. I can answer both "How is your research going?" and "How long until you finish your thesis?" At least at my school, there's a general plan that most students are expected to follow to get their degree. Progress must be reported to receive additional funding, so I can certainly explain the same to anyone that asks.