Qualifying Examination

The primary purpose of the Qualifying Examination (QE) is to validate that the student is academically qualified to conceptualize a research topic, undertake scholarly research, and successfully produce the dissertation required for a doctoral degree. The QE must evaluate the student’s breadth and depth of knowledge in the field and must not focus exclusively on the proposed dissertation research. Full information about IGG QE requirements can be found in the IGG degree requirements, Graduate Studies website, and Graduate Council QE Policy.

The QE should be taken by the end of Winter Quarter of the third year. Students typically take their QE during Fall of the third year. To prepare you for the qualifying exam, a student coordinator who has advanced to candidacy will lead review sessions and practice sessions to prepare second-year students for the qualifying exam (QE). This person also acts a resource to answer or find answers for any questions or concerns that pre-QE students (i.e. first and second year students) may have about the qualify exam. 

QE Committee Selection

Each student, in consultation with the major professor and guiding committee, nominates two to four faculty to serve in each of the four examination areas and as chair of the examination committee. These choices are submitted in the student’s Fifth Quarter Advising Report. After receipt of all reports, the IGG Advising Committee will meet in the Spring Quarter and recommend appointment of the examination committees such that each committee is capable of examining the student’s specific research area as well as the breadth of genetics covered in the core courses. The major professor is specifically excluded from membership.

Service on Qualifying Exam Committees will be distributed equitably among IGG faculty. The student has the opportunity to request a change in the composition of the committee in consultation with the major professor and/or guiding committee; such requests stating the reason for the suggested changes must be submitted in writing to the Master Advisor within two weeks of the student receiving notification of the nominated committee.

These nominations are submitted to Graduate Studies for formal appointment in accordance with Graduate Council policy. The QE Committee conducts the exam and submits results to Graduate Studies.

QE Scheduling and Application

As soon as the QE committee has been assigned, the student should work with the committee to schedule the exam. The student should also work with the QE chair to determine which, if any, emergency QE plans will be utilized (see Graduate Council QE policy for full information on emergency plans:

  • Remote exam - exam is held entirely remotely (no hybrid participation)
  • Backup Date/Time - at the time of scheduling the original exam, a second "backup" exam time is scheduled
  • Alternate Member - a pre-determined alternate member replaces a member who cannot attend due to an emergency (chair cannot be replaced by alternate member)

Once the exam has been scheduled, the student should complete the QE Application in GradSphere. This application must be submitted at least 30 days before the scheduled exam. If students would like an "MS Along the Way", they should submit that paperwork at the same time as their QE Application.

Students are responsible for scheduling a room for the Qualifying Exam. The major professor and/or QE chair may be able to suggest a room. There are also rooms available in Green Hall, Walker Hall, Tupper Hall, and Genome Center.

Exam Structure

Written Portion of the Exam – Dissertation Prospectus: Presentation and defense of a written research proposal covering the proposed dissertation research. This will be submitted to committee members not less than two weeks prior to the date of the examination. The proposal should reflect the goal of dissertation projects to provide a substantial and original contribution to the field of genetics. The format should be that of a Federal grant proposal and should be no more than five pages long.

Oral Portion of the Exam: The oral portion of the qualifying exam will be 2-3 hours in length and is intended to demonstrate the student's critical thinking ability, powers of imagination and synthesis, and broad knowledge of the field of study, covering the breadth of genetics as reflected by the subject matter of the core courses. The committee will evaluate the student's general qualifications for a respected position as an educator or leader as well as the student's preparation in a special area of study based upon relevant portions of the student's previous academic record, performance on specific parts of the examination, and the student's potential for scholarly research as indicated during the examination.

Before the Exam

At least two weeks prior to your exam, students should contact their committee with the following:

  • Reconfirming the date, time, and location of the exam
  • A copy of their unofficial transcript (obtained here)
  • Their research dissertation prospectus (maximum of 5 pages)

Students should do their best to reduce stress leading up to the exam and preparing for common situations, like responding to questions they do not immediately know the answer to. Graduate Studies has many helpful tips to help students prepare for their exam day.

During and After the Exam

At the start of the exam, the student will be asked to leave the room while the Chair discusses the exam proceedings with the committee and organizes the order of the exam questions such that each committee member gets approximately 15-20 minutes of individual questions. 

At the end of the exam, the student will be asked to leave the room while the committee members deliberate and make a decision. The chair will present the decision to the student and complete necessary paperwork.

There are three possible outcomes to the exam:

  • Pass  - The committee unanimously decides the student passed the exam. The student may submit an Advancement to Candidacy application in GradSphere.
  • Retake - The committee unanimously decides some or all parts of the exam must be retaken. A memo with specific details of retake requirements and timeline for completion of the retake will be provided to the student.
    • Retakes are not uncommon, so students should not fear this outcome! The committee will work closely with the student to help them understand what areas of improvement are needed for the second exam.
  • Fail - This outcome is incredibly uncommon in IGG. The committee unanimously determines the student failed the exam due to significant deficiencies, and the student is not currently prepared to continue in the doctoral program.  A unanimous fail on either the first or second exam is a recommendation of the student’s disqualification from the degree objective.

MS Along the Way

Students may decide to obtain an MS Plan II along the way to their PhD. In this situation, a passed QE is used to satisfy the Plan II Comprehensive Exam requirement. Students must pay the additional $55 MS Candidacy fee in additional to their PhD Candidacy fee if they select this option.

If students would like to pursue this option, they must do the following:

  • At the time of submitting their QE Application - submit a "Multiple Degree Objectives" application to their Graduate Program Coordinator. The student should obtain the "present graduate advisor" signature. The coordinator can obtain the "new graduate advisor" signature.
  • Before the QE - submit the MS Plan II Candidacy Application in GradSphere.
  • After Passing the QE - Ask the QE chair to submit the "Master's II Report" in GradSphere. Once the report is approved, the student will receive a copy. The student can then submit the MS Plan II Filing Process in GradSphere. This will finalize their MS Plan II degree.