Comprehensive Exam

General Information

  • The ACB program has an “on-topic” comprehensive exam, consisting of two parts:

    • Written research proposal (grant format) in area of predicted future thesis work (25-35 double-spaced pages)

    • Oral defense of proposal (~2-3 hours)

Eligibility

  • Student must be in good academic standing (minimum GPA = 3.0)

  • Student must have completed first and second year courses before taking exam

 

Deadlines

  • Form a thesis/exam committee—early spring semester of second year

  • Submit formal Abstract and Specific Aims for proposed work and Request for Comprehensive Examination Form—end of spring semester of second year

  • Submit written research proposal and assurance form—summer following second year

  • Take oral examination of research proposal—summer following second year

  • Satisfactory completion of comprehensive exam—not later than end of fall semester of third year

Exam committee

  • Exam committee chairperson

  • At least two (2) ACB faculty members (who have at least a 50% appointment in ACB)

  • At least one (1), but not more than two (2) outside faculty members from another department

  • Note: This committee will become the student’s thesis committee, following replacement of the exam committee chairperson with the thesis advisor.