Description: Towards the end of their first year in the program, and in consultation with their thesis supervisor, PhD students form an advisory committee of three faculty members, including their supervisor, to assist in the preparation of the comprehensive exams. The core reading list consists of approximately 25 titles. The ultimate goal of the exams is to establish a candidate’s academic specialization. After completing the exam, students should have acquired sufficient background to teach a course and/or conduct advanced research in the area. This examination, as well as SOAN 860 Comprehensive Exam ll, normally take place before the end of the student’s second year in the program. Each exam takes the form of a written essay (20-25 pages) that the student has three weeks to write.
Component(s): Thesis Research
Notes:- The student’s advisory committee members evaluate the exam as earning a grade of pass or fail. To constitute a successful exam, it must receive a grade of pass from all three members of the committee. Students who fail one of these exams are allowed to take it for a second time during the following term. A second failure leads to the student’s withdrawal from the program.
- All candidates are required to write two 6-credit comprehensive exams. The topics for these exams are set at the end of the first year or beginning of the second year, and the exams completed within the second year of the program. Each comprehensive exam is assessed by a committee of three faculty members drawn from the two disciplines, and formed in consultation with the student's supervisor.
