MS Final Examination – Thesis Option
A final oral exam is required prior to acceptance of the thesis. The oral exam is broad in nature, covering relevant coursework and contemporary topics and not simply an opportunity to edit and revise the thesis. The student must present a copy of the final draft of the thesis (which the major professor feels represents the best effort of the student) to each committee member at least two weeks before the oral exam. A formal written announcement regarding a student’s oral exam must be distributed to school faculty by the Major Professor at least three days in advance of the exam. Students must be enrolled for at least three hours of credit the semester they take the final exam. The oral exam will be evaluated by the graduate committee, and the student will be passed if a majority of committee members believe the student displayed sufficient technical competency and critical thinking skills to be well prepared as a professional in their chosen field of study. If the student fails to meet this standard, they can retake the oral exam once after spending at least two weeks of additional time in preparation.
MS Final Comprehensive Examination – Non-Thesis Option
Upon completion of at least 28 credit hours of approved study the student is required to take and pass final comprehensive written and oral examinations. The comprehensive exams will be evaluated by the graduate committee. The exam will be evaluated by the graduate committee and the student will be passed if a majority of committee members believe the student displayed sufficient technical competency and critical thinking skills to be well prepared as a professional in their chosen field of study. If the student fails to meet this standard, they can retake the exam once after spending at least two weeks of additional time in preparation. Oral and written examination deadlines for non‑thesis students are given by The Graduate School each semester. Students who complete all degree requirements except their final examinations must enroll in Forestry 502: Registration for Use of Facilities (3‑15) each semester they plan to use University facilities or faculty time before their degree is completed.
PhD Examinations
Qualifying Examinations
Students may be required to complete a written qualifying exam during their first year in the program. The need for the qualifying examination is left to the discretion of the student’s committee. The qualifying exam is intended to identify any deficiencies that doctoral students may have early in their program of study and, therefore, should be administered as early in the student’s tenure as possible.
Comprehensive Examinations
All doctoral students are required to successfully complete oral and written comprehensive examinations on all coursework completed as part of the PhD requirements. The exam is scheduled by the Major Professor when the student has completed all or nearly all of the coursework. The student’s PhD committee will determine the content, nature, and schedule of the comprehensive exam and certify the results. The Major Professor is responsible for securing exam materials from committee members and administering the written and oral components of the exam. If a student fails to successfully complete the comprehensive examinations initially, the exams may be administered once more, no sooner than the following semester.
