Qualifying Examination

Candidates for the PhD degree must satisfactorily complete a Qualifying Examination, the purpose of which is to ensure that students have a general understanding of the biomedical sciences and sufficient knowledge of their chosen area of thesis research to proceed towards the PhD degree in a timely manner. The Graduate Division administers the Qualifying Examination each year.

Qualifying Exam Guidelines and Forms

Please Note: Documents in PDF format require the latest version of Adobe Reader installed on your computer or device. Download the latest version of Adobe Reader.

• Qualifying Examination Timeline 
• Qualifying Examination Policies and Guidelines 
• Preparing the Qualifying Exam Proposal Prep Course Schedule 
• Form 1 – Proposed Committee Members and Tentative Specific Aims 
• Qualifying Exam Mentor Acknowledgement Form 
• Form 2 – Confirmation of Committee Members  
• Form 3 – Date, Time, Location of Qualifying Exam  

After the Qualifying Exam

Students who successfully complete the Qualifying Examination are awarded the degree of Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences. The following are due immediately after successful completion of the exam:

MS Diploma Form  (provide how you want your name printed on your MS diploma) 

PhD Learning Environment Survey (mandatory survey; link to the survey will be emailed to students directly) 

Student Advisory Committee (SAC) Guidelines 

Following the exam, each student must identify their Student Advisory Committee and schedule a meeting prior to the next fall registration period. If a student had a SAC meeting prior to taking the exam, the next meeting should be held within one year of the first meeting. Reference the SAC Guidelines for more information.

Instructions for Student Advisory Committee (SAC) Forms 

SAC evaluations are provided through One45

Resources

NIH Guide to Ethical Writing 

Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Fellowship Application Guidelines 

Academic Calendar 

Cite It Right! (A Guide to the Qualifying Exam Proposal and Thesis Dissertation Preparation) 

D. Samuel Gottesman Library