Doctor of Philosophy Program Candidacy Exam
The successful completion of the Ph.D. Candidacy Exam is required within the first year of the student beginning their Ph.D. program.
Exam process information
Required registration
- All Ph.D. students must re-register in GRAD 8020 in all Fall, Winter, and Summer terms of their program until a student is eligible to graduate. Active registration in GRAD 8020 is required to be eligible to register for the Ph.D. Candidacy Exam.
- Students must successfully complete their Candidacy within their first in the PhD program.
- The Department will distribute Candidacy Exam Registration forms approximately 6-8 weeks prior to a schedule exam. This is required to allow us to have an exam ready for you. Paper Registrations must be signed by your Academic Advisor to confirm you have permission from your Academic Advisor to sit for an exam and are registering for the correct exam. Paper Registrations must be returned the Graduate Student Advisor at least 1-month prior to a schedule exam.
General information
Depending on subject area, the exam length is between 2-3 hours. All exams are written. Students must successfully complete their Candidacy within their first in the PhD program. If all requirements have been met students may give their final, oral exam 1-year after the Candidacy Exam.
Selecting an exam subject area
- The student's advisor selects the student's Candidacy Exam subject area. The Candidacy Exam is usually a subject in the student's research area. The Candidacy Exam is usually a subject that the academic advisor believes is important and rudimentary to the student's research.
- Exams are announced and registration forms will be available 3-4 weeks prior to the exam.
- It is the responsibility for the student to discuss the Candidacy Exam with their academic advisor around the time when the Candidacy Exam is announced. Students must fill-in the Candidacy Exam Registration Form, obtain the signature of the academic advisors and submit the Candidacy Exam Registration Form to the Graduate Student Advisor by the deadline.
Deadline for exam completion
The successful completion of the Ph.D. Candidacy Exam is required within the first year of the student beginning their PhD program. Up to three registration opportunities are offered to a student within the first-year in the PhD program. Students are given two chances to pass the exam.
Subject areas
What to study and sample exams.
Exam results
Depending on the time of year, the results of the Candidacy Exam results are announced 2-3 months after the exam.
Pass results
Students who receive a passing grade on their Candidacy Exam should complete the following two forms:
- Program of Study and Appointment of Advisory Committee
- Report on Candidacy Exam (signatures from academic advisor and internal committee member required)
Non-pass results
- Meet with your academic advisor. They may have you exam for you to review.
- Plan to register for another Candidacy Exam.
- Complete the Report on Candidacy Exam (signatures from academic advisor and internal committee member required).
Borderline Results
Meet with your Academic Advisor to discuss your exam results. You may have missed a question as the reviewers were unsure they understood your response or the reviewers were unsure you understood the exam question. You will be asked to meet with the Candidacy Examination Committee and possibly orally answer the question. Your result will be announced immediately after the Oral Presentation.
Complete the Report on Candidacy Exam (signatures from academic advisor and internal committee member required).
Exam dates
| Exam date | Time | Details | Registration form deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 10, 2024 | 9:00 am - 12:00 pm | In-person exam, location TBD. | November 15, 2024 |
| April 25, 2025 | 9:00 am - 12:00 pm | In-person exam, location TBD. | April 4, 2025 |
| August TBD, 2025 | 9:00 am - 12:00 pm | In-person exam, location TBD. Electromagnetics candidacy exam not offered in August | July TBD, 2025 |
Other information
You must register for your candidacy exams using the registration form below for the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The form must be received by the deadline to qualify for the exam period.
Exam dates are tentative until a room assignment is indicated. If you foresee a date/time conflict or have any questions or concerns as it relates to the exam, please contact Dr. Ekram Hossain.