An oral examination is required for the M.S. degree. The M.S. Advisory Committee determines examination content consistent with each student’s area of research and academic goals. Students should consult with each Committee member about the areas that he/she plans to cover in the examination. Typically, students answer questions from each Committee member for 20-30 minutes.
The M.S. Advisory Committee decides whether the student passes, fails or must retake part or all of the examination. The student must obtain a departmental Academic Progress of MS Students Form (available in the Graduate Program Office) which will be signed by the committee following the successful completion of the oral preliminary examination. In the case of unsatisfactory performance, the M.S. Advisory Committee, the Biological Sciences Graduate Program Director and the Department Chair can recommend that the student withdraw from the Program.