English competency

Assessment of English competence

The Candidacy Examination will be used to assess both written and oral competence. Competence will be demonstrated by using proper vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure, and by constructing answers in an understandable and organized manner. In addition, written answers will be examined for appropriate spelling and punctuation.

Improvement of English Competence

An Ecology PhD candidate who does not adequately demonstrate competence in the English language at the PhD Candidacy Examination shall be directed into special remedial courses offered outside the Ecology Program.

• Non-native speakers of English will be required to pass with at least a "B" grade SPCOM 114G (Basic ESL) and/or SPCOM 116G (ESL Reading and Writing).
• Native speakers of English will be required to pass with at least a "B" grade at least one of the following courses: ENGL 202 (Effective Writing), ENGL 418 (Advanced Technical Writing and Editing), or ENGL XXXG (Writing in the Disciplines).
• In addition, the student will be required to enroll in ECLGY 590 (Ecology Colloquium) and to give at least one oral presentation on ecological subject matter.

Attainment of Competence

A PhD student who has not adequately demonstrated competence in the English language at the PhD Candidacy Examination shall fulfill all remedial activities recommended by the Ecology Candidacy Examination Committee. The student then will be required to retake the English competence component of the PhD Candidacy Examination. If a student fails to demonstrate a high-level of English competence at the second assessment, the Examination Committee will recommend to the Ecology Chair that the student be dropped from the Ecology Program.