|
Biomedical Informatics Examinations
Breadth Examination
| Who |
MA and PhD students. |
| When |
At the end of the first or second year. |
| Why |
To assess the student's breadth of knowledge of the field, the ability to express this knowledge verbally, reason with it, and to synthesize concepts from different areas.
|
| What |
An one-hour oral exam, given by a committee of 3-4 faculty members. Questions are adapted to the student's background in coursework and research. While factual knowledge is important, questions tend to be novel constructions, and often ask the student to bring together information from two or more areas. The committee members use an assessment form to assign scores. They decide by consensus whether the student passes or retakes the exam. The committee chair is responsible for sending a final copy of the form to the graduate program coordinator. For PhD students, successful completion of this exam results in an MA degree, provided the student has earned the necessary 2 residence units.
|
| Where |
Usually VC 5 conference room. |
Depth Examination
| Who |
PhD students. |
| When |
The department recommends that this exam take place 6-12 months after the Breadth Examination. This exam is the final requirement before a PhD student receives the M.Phil degree and applies for doctoral candidacy, provided that the student has earned the necessary 6 residence units. Within 6 months of receiving the MPhil degree, the University requires students to submit a proposal for the doctoral dissertation, so students and their committees should plan the timing of the Depth Exam accordingly.
|
| Why |
To assess the ability of the student to survey the literature in a given area, synthesize the achievements, identify gaps, and propose research questions. The student will select a specific problem based on that work (literature synthesis, gaps, research questions) and present a detailed methodology to address the problem. Before an exam is scheduled, the committee should review the student’s work to date and assess the student’s readiness to undertake the exam. The work completed as part of the exam is intended to provide a basis for the doctoral dissertation. |
| What |
When it is decided by the student’s research advisory committee that the student is ready to undertake the exam, the student is given 30 days to prepare an oral presentation as a public seminar. In the first hour, the student describes the literature in a given area, synthesizes the achievements, identifies gaps, proposes research questions, and selects a specific problem, presenting a detailed methodology which addresses the problem. Copies of the slides and the bibliography must be provided to the committee. In the second hour, the student's research committee meets privately with the student and asks additional questions as needed. The committee members use an assessment form to evaluate the student's proposal with the following emphases: description of literature, synthesis of achievements, gap analysis (60%), research questions (30%), and methods (10%). They decide by consensus whether the student passes, receives honors or retakes the exam. The committee chair is responsible for sending a final copy of the form to the graduate program coordinator.
|
| Where |
Usually VC 5 conference room or Irving 8th Floor Conference Room. |
|