The qualifying exam consists of both written and oral components, and is based primarily on the student's ability to critically read, understand, and communicate the key findings of a current research paper selected from the literature. The exam is taken in the fall semester of the student's second year.
Exam Procedure
A Qualifying Exam Organizing Committee oversees administration of the exams. At least one faculty member from each of the MCIBS emphasis areas, appointed by the elected emphasis area representatives, serves on the committee for 1-2 year terms.
The organizing committee assembles a three-member faculty exam committee for each student. In addition, the organizing committee identifies scientific papers that are appropriate to each of the MCIBS emphasis areas that serve as the basis for the exams.
Finally, the organizing committee prepares a separate written exam corresponding to each of the papers. To facilitate this process, the organizing committee may seek input from the larger pool of exam committee members, both during the paper selection process and for the purpose of formulating exam questions.
Exam questions may include, but are not limited to those that:
- test knowledge of the background concepts underlying the paper and the emphasis areas
- test the understanding of methods and techniques used in the paper
- test data interpretation skills
- test the ability to apply knowledge gained from the paper toward novel problems