Preparation for Oral Exams
The objectives of the oral examinations are (i) to enable you to learn more about yourself and your abilities, (ii) to guide you toward the goals and high standards demanded of everyone in tour proposed profession, and (iii) to measure your progress toward these goals and to determine whether the program is satisfactory.
It cannot be emphasized too strongly that preparation for these examinations must be thorough. There are many ways to prepare for this exam. Your Major Professor and members of your Guidance Committee have been through the experience and can offer advice on preparation and what to expect. This is true also of some of your fellow graduate students. Through review of course subject matter and synthesis of this information to construct total concepts, you should arrive at the proper level of competence and confidence. At the same time, you will gain new insights and understanding of you major discipline. Remember – the committee wants to help you!
Role of the Department Representative at Oral Exams
A Department Representative, who is not a member of the student’s guidance committee, will chair the examination committee for oral exams. The student, upon consultation with their Major Professor, may recommend a faculty member to be the Representative, but the Department Chair makes the appointment for a particular exam. The major professor will be present, asks questions, and has a vote, as do the other members of the student’s guidance committee. As with the guidance committee members, the Representative will be given a copy of the dissertation or thesis at least two weeks before the final exam. However, the Representative is not required to read the dissertation or thesis. The Representative has the option of asking questions at the exam, but is not required to, and the representative has no vote in the outcome. However, the representative will preside over the exam and report to the Department Chair as to the outcome. An assessment form will be filled out by each of the participants (Guidance committee members, the Representative, and the Student) for use by the graduate committee to assess our programs.
(Including oral part of Comprehensive Exam for Doctoral Students, and Final Examination for Master’s and Doctoral Students)
Charlotte Murray Reemts:"Fisheye photo of the forest canopy in Toumey Woodlot, one of the campus natural"
