What are the changes in the Oral Comprehensive Exam requirements?

The scope of the oral exam is defined by a reading list prepared by the student and the dissertation director. The list should include research papers and textbooks that adequately cover:

  • The basic tools used in the research area
  • The fundamentals of the research area, and
  • The state-of-the-art in the specific focus of research.

The reading list must be accompanied by a one-page description of the intended research. This document must be approved by the dissertation committee prior to the exam, and becomes part of the student's record.