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Examinations in Computer Science
The sections below contain formal and informal information concerning
examinations administered by the Department of Computer Science.
Oral Exams
Oral exams in courses have become rather rare because with increasing
enrollments oral exams become less and less cost-effective. Thus,
now students confront oral exams later in their careers and have
less experience with them. The required oral exams are real hurdles
even before the lack of experience with such exams is considered.
Final Examinations in
Courses
Link to policies regarding
Final Exams in courses.
M. S. Comprehensive Exam
The M.S. Comprehensive Exam is required by
the Graduate School at the end of all M.S. programs. There are two
ways to take the M.S. Comprehensive Exam:
- The Integrative Paper (IP) for M.S. and
Ph.D. candidates is a survey of three or more technical papers
that span multiple sub-fields of computer science and have a common
thread. The paper is written over the course of one semester.
- The M.S. Oral Exam is an alternative to the
IP for M.S. candidates only.
Ph.D. Exams
- The Ph.D. Qualifying Examination for
intending Ph.D. candidates is taken after 18 hours (usually 2 semesters)
of coursework is complete. Passing is necessary to be admitted to the
department's Doctoral program.
- The Graduate School's Ph.D. Written Examination requirement is
satisfied in Computer Science by the Integrative
Paper (IP), which is a survey of three or more technical papers
that span multiple sub-fields of computer science and have a common
thread. The paper is written over the course of one semester.
- The Ph.D. Oral Exam for Ph.D. candidates
covers the areas of the proposed dissertation and is administered by the
student's guidance committee. The exam also tests areas of weakness
identified from the Qual or CCE.
- The Ph.D. Final Oral Examination (Dissertation
Defense) begins with a public presentation of the dissertation
with emphasis on the original contribution to knowledge made by the
candidate. The candidate then answers questions from the public and
from the guidance committee.
Policy on Exams
In Absentia
Outdated, but still enforced Graduate School policy requiring physical
presence of the student and examining committee members for graduate
exams.
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