Advancing to PhD candidacy requires passing a written qualifying exam, as well an an oral qualifying exam (sometimes called the proposition exam). Both must be taken in a timely manner to remain in the Graduate Program.
Qualifying Exam A (written): The written exam tests basic biological knowledge and reasoning through the interpretation of primary literature. It is administered by Molecular Biosciences and given once a year at the end of the first-year core curriculum. In some cases, students may take this exam in the following year.
Qualifying Exam B (Oral): The oral qualifying exam is taken within one year of the written qualifying exam. Exceptions require the approval of the program director. The exam is based on an oral defense of a written proposal of the student’s planned thesis work. The examination committee, consisting of four faculty members of the CMP program, is selected by the student and their advisor but does not include the advisor. Ad hoc members from outside the program are permitted with the program director's approval.
The oral exam is based on a student's written proposal (about 10 pages) in the form of a research grant application (Specific Aims, Background/Significance, Preliminary Results, Experimental Design). The proposal must be written entirely by the student, but consultation with the advisor is permitted. While preliminary results are welcome, they are not essential nor the focus of the exam. The committee and the student’s advisor must receive the proposal at least one week before the exam.
During an oral defense of the proposal, the committee asks questions related directly or indirectly to the subject matter. Students can expect questions on the logic behind the proposal, the scientific techniques employed, as well as general questions about the practices and principles of biological and pharmacological science.
The student’s performance is evaluated on a pass/fail basis. A conditional pass may also be awarded. A pass on the exam admits the student to candidacy for the PhD degree. Two forms documenting the completion of the exam are filed with the School of Graduate Studies Office: a Qualifying Exam B Form and an Annual Research Advisory Committee Meeting Form. Both can be found HERE.