Comprehensive Exam Requirement (Ph.D. Only)
The comprehensive examination is designed to provide graduate students with an opportunity to develop both breadth and depth in their program of study. The examination enables students to:
- Synthesize and integrate knowledge, skills, and experiences across major topics within their academic discipline.
- Contribute to disciplinary discourse by demonstrating original thinking and unique insights.
- Develop and present critical arguments in support of a central thesis through effective analysis of texts, contexts, and scientific discourse.
- Learn to formulate research questions that can lead to significant scientific discoveries.
The Chemistry Department conducts the comprehensive examination on the Thursday of the 7th week of each regular semester. A Ph.D. student is allowed a maximum of two attempts over the duration of the program to successfully pass the comprehensive examination.
Timing of the First Attempt
Students are required to attempt the full comprehensive examination for the first time according to the following schedule:
- Direct/Regular Ph.D. students: During the third semester
- Continuing Ph.D. students: During the second semester
- Part-time Ph.D. students: Upon completion of 18 credit hours of coursework
If a student does not pass the comprehensive examination on the first attempt, the second and final attempt must be taken in the following semester.
5.1 Comprehensive Examination Model
5.1.1 New Examination Model (Applicable to students admitted in T251 and thereafter)
The comprehensive examination under the new model consists of the following two parts. A minimum score of 70% is required to pass each part of the examination.
- Part I: Division-Specific Foundational Comprehensive Examination
- Part II: Examination based on two graduate core courses
Part I:
Students are examined on content based on a single, pre-approved textbook relevant to the student’s division. Further details regarding the prescribed textbooks and mode of examination are provided in the Table below.
| Division-Specific Foundational Comprehensive Exam in Organic Chemistry |
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1. Textbook: Organic Chemistry by John E. McMurry (9th Edition) 2. Exam Format: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) 3. Material to be Covered: Chapters 1–26, 30 and 31 |
| Division-Specific Foundational Comprehensive Exam in Inorganic Chemistry |
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1. Textbook: Inorganic Chemistry by Miessler, Fischer, and Tarr (5th edition) 2. Exam Format: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) 3. Material to be Covered: Chapters 2–6, and 9–14 |
| Division-Specific Foundational Comprehensive Exam in Physical Chemistry |
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1. Textbook: Elements of Physical Chemistry, by Peter Atkins & Julio De Paula (5th edition) 2. Exam Format: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) 3. Material to be Covered: 1–14, 19 and 20 |
| Division-Specific Foundational Comprehensive Exam in Analytical Chemistry |
|---|
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1. Textbook: Daniel C. Harris, Quantitative Chemical Analysis (9th edition) 2. Exam Format: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) 3. Material to be Covered: 1–17, 19 and 20 |
Part II:
Students are examined on content based on two graduate-level core courses. One core course, relevant to the student’s field of specialization, is assigned by the Graduate Committee. The second core course is selected by the student in consultation with their research supervisor, based on the student’s research interests and alignment with the dissertation topic.
5.1.2 Old Examination Model (Applicable to students admitted prior to T251)
The comprehensive examination under the old model also consists of two parts. A minimum score of 70% is required to pass each part of the examination.
- Part I: Examination based on two graduate core courses
- Part II: Examination based on two graduate elective courses
Part I:
Students are examined on content based on two graduate-level core courses. One core course, relevant to the student’s field of specialization, is assigned by the Graduate Committee, while the second core course is selected by the student in consultation with their research supervisor, based on the student’s research interests and alignment with the dissertation topic.
Part II:
Students are examined on content based on two graduate-level elective courses. These courses are assigned by the Graduate Committee in accordance with the student’s research interests and the alignment of the courses with the dissertation topic.