Comprehensive Examinations: First and Second Exams
The comprehensive examinations conform to the format required by the
School of Graduate Studies. Two examinations are given.
The First Examination is a written test covering all aspects of the
School of Graduate Studies core course. This examination is the same for
all students and is normally given once per year in May, approximately 4
weeks after the final examination in the core course. The first exam is administered by the School of Graduate Studies through the common
admissions program.
The Second Examination is based on a 5-10 page
written research proposal in the area of the student’s proposed
dissertation work developed in consultation with the advisor and Advisory
Committee. The format is a combined
written and oral exam given by the Advisory Committee covering the
research proposal and related topics in the specific area of study.
The purpose of the exam is to test the student’s understanding of
the specialized field under study.
The Molecular Medicine program interprets this to mean that a
student must be able to demonstrate an adequate grasp of the primary
literature in the area of specialization and must be familiar with basic
concepts, paradigms, and methodology underlying that literature. Students
must also demonstrate an ability to formulate plausible, original
experiments in the field of specialization.
All Molecular Medicine students are required to take the second exam by
the end of their second year in the program. MD/PhD students who
have joined the program also must have their exam completed by the end
of their second year in the graduate program, in accordance with the
rules for the MD/PhD program.