Comprehensives
The School of Engineering Ph.D. comprehensive exam and proposal defence are combined in one format. The exam should be completed within 24 months of first admission. The exam is initiated with the written proposal. This document is part of the proposal defense. It should have a problem statement/objectives/hypothesis, a literature review, a summary of research completed to date including methods, a plan for future work including methods. See template for further clarification. A 30 page limit is suggested. This is due to the committee members two weeks before the date the exam is scheduled.
Exam committee structure
Chair – Associate Director: Graduate Studies and Research or designate. The chair is a procedural position and will make sure the exam is conducted in an equitable manner, take notes (discuss them with the committee after the student leaves) and gather the signatures on the form.
Supervisor(s) – If there are more than one supervisor they act as one and have one vote but all sign the form. They will alternate questions during the question periods. One supervisor can ask a question each round of questioning.
Current committee member(s).
Additional examiner familiar with field. This person will remain on the committee for the duration of the project.
Exam
The exam should be scheduled for 3 hours. It will probably take between 2 and 3 hours.
The student begins the exam by presenting a summary of the proposal material in approximately ½ hour (typically 30 power point slides).
The question period will then begin. The questions will be asked in rounds. The first round will be focused on the comprehensive or fundamental knowledge required to perform and understand the research. The second round of questions will focus on the proposed research.
The questions on the proposed research should be directed towards an agreement between the student and the committee that the proposed research and methodologies are sufficient that, if performed, will constitute the requirements of a successful Ph. D research project. The responses to the questions and or points raised will contribute to the proposal defense result.
The questions regarding comprehensive or fundamental knowledge are directed towards a determination of the preparedness of the student for Ph. D. studies. This includes theoretical background for the proposed research and the ability of the student to think critically. The responses to these questions will contribute to the comprehensive exam result.
The student can bring and refer to any written material they feel could be of use including text books, class notes, journal papers etc. The questions should take no longer than 5 minutes to answer. Students may use the board, calculator, pen and paper etc.
When the question period is over, the student will be asked to leave the room (but not go too far). The committee will then discuss the exam results, confirm the comments the chair has noted down and sign the forms. The Chair will then invite the student back in the room and verbally inform the student of the results of the exam.
The proposal defense will be graded a) Pass, b) Pass with changes to the workplan, c) Fail. The student may retake the proposal defense once and it must be done within 6 months.
The comprehensive exam will be graded as follows. a) Pass, b) Pass with additional readings/courses, c) Fail. The student may retake the comprehensive exam once and it must be done within 6 months.
The forms should be returned to Ms. Tingstad. She will obtain the signature of the Associate Director: Graduate Studies and Research and then send them to the College of Graduate Studies.
Last reviewed 
8/21/2011 9:18:11 PM
