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Comprehensive exam
Purpose, timing and administration of the comprehensive exam for University-Park-based PhD students in the Genetics program.
What is the purpose of a comprehensive exam?
Successful completion of the comprehensive exam indicates that the student has a solid background in the area in which he or she chooses to specialize. It marks the watershed from taking courses to being a full-time researcher. The exam allows the committee to thoroughly examine the student's preparation for thesis research.
When does a student take the comprehensive exam?
Generally the comprehensive exam is taken when a student has finished all course work and is ready to focus on thesis research. This is typically after their second year, and students are strongly encouraged not to delay taking the comprehensive past their third year. In order to take the comprehensive exam, the student is required to have passed their candidacy exam and to have maintained a 3.0 grade point average. The student must also be registered full or part-time in the semester that their comprehensive exam will be administered. The exam is officially scheduled by the Graduate School at the request of the Genetics Program Chair. Three weeks notice is required.
Who administers the comprehensive exam?
The comprehensive exam is given by the student's Doctoral Committee.
What is the format of the comprehensive exam?
The student must prepare a formal research proposal and distribute it to members of the committee prior to the oral exam. The proposal may either cover the student's thesis work, or, at the discretion of the committee, it may cover an area of research distinct from the thesis work. Details of format can be worked out by the committee. The oral portion of the comprehensive exam provides an opportunity for the student and committee to thrash out the ideas of the student's proposal. Part of this process of defending the proposal will naturally test the student's familiarity with the literature and the basic foundations of the science.
Who grades the comprehensive exam?
The comprehensive is not given a letter grade. Two-thirds of the Doctoral committee must agree that the student has passed the exam, and this information is relayed to the Genetics Program Office and the Graduate School for official entry into the student's record.
What are the requirements of the student after completion of the comprehensive?
The student must keep the committee informed of his/her progress on an annual basis. If an annual meeting is not held, the student must individually contact each committee member.
The thesis advisor should be consulted in planning regular meetings of the committee. Although annual meetings with the committee are encouraged, they are not required. At the discretion of the committee, the student may be required to submit an annual written progress report.