PhD Qualifying Examinations

Attainment of PhD candidacy requires the successful completion of prescribed coursework, the Written Qualifying Examination, the Research Proposal Examination, and all other academic and administrative requirements established by the University. The Written Qualifying Examination and the Research Proposal Examination are key academic milestones that assess the student's readiness to undertake independent doctoral research. Collectively, these examinations evaluate: (a) the student's breadth and depth of knowledge in the major field of study; and (b) the student's ability to critically review the relevant literature, identify research gaps, and develop and defend an original and feasible research proposal.

Stage One: Written Qualifying Examination (WQE)

The main objectives of the Written Qualifying Examination (WQE) are to assess the student's:

(a) mastery of the fundamental knowledge, concepts, and analytical skills in the selected major field of study through examination in three core subject areas;

(b) ability to apply fundamental concepts and principles to analyze and solve advanced problems;

(c) critical thinking and analytical reasoning skills; and

(d) academic preparedness and potential to successfully complete the PhD program.

The WQE is intended to assess the student’s mastery of the chosen field of study, as demonstrated by proficiency in three approved topical areas. Each topical area shall have a well-defined syllabus, similar to that of a standard course, specifying its scope and content together with recommended list of references and supplementary reading materials. In consultation with the Main Advisor and Co-Advisor(s), where applicable, the student shall select three topical areas from the approved list for the WQE.

Students must register for the WQE before the end of the Add/Drop period of the semester in which they intend to take the examination. At the time of registration, students must identify three approved topical areas selected for examination. The WQE is offered twice during each academic year over a one-week period. Each topical area examinations is three hours in duration. A minimum score of 73% is required to pass each topical area examination.

Failure in any topical area shall constitute failure of the entire WQE. A student who fails the WQE may repeat the examination only once, at the next scheduled offering. On the second attempt, the student must retake examinations in the topical areas failed during the first attempt.. With the approval of the Main Advisor, the student may instead select different topical areas from the approved list. A PhD student who fails the WQE on the second attempt will be subject to dismissal from the PhD program.

Full-time students admitted to a PhD program with a Master’s degree shall normally take the WQE by the end of the second regular semester, or as detailed in their approved study plan.  Full-time students admitted directly to a PhD program with only Bachelor’s degree must successfully complete a minimum of 27 credits of coursework before taking the WQE.

The WQE examinations are coordinated by the department chairs and the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies in the relevant college.

Stage Two: Dissertation Proposal and Examination

Following successful completion of the Written Qualifying Exam (WQE), the student must prepare and submit a written Dissertation Proposal to the Research Supervisory Committee (RSC) for evaluation. The RSC shall conduct a Research Proposal Examination (RPE) in accordance with the procedures set out below. The student must successfully defend the Dissertation Proposal to be eligible for a PhD candidacy and to proceed with the dissertation research.

The purpose of the Dissertation Proposal is to provide a clear and well-structured description of the proposed research, including the research problem, its significance, and its background and context. The proposal should clearly address the following:

• The research problem, its significance, and the motivation for the proposed research;
• The research objectives, research questions and/or hypotheses;
• The expected outcomes and anticipated original contributions to knowledge in the field.;
• A critical review of the scholarly literature relevant to the proposed research, demonstrating the current state of knowledge, identifying research gaps, and placing the proposed research in context, together with a comprehensive bibliography of relevant sources;
• The proposed research methodology, including the research design, methods, experimental or computational approach, and data analysis techniques, where applicable;
• A summary of the work completed to date, where applicable, and an explanation of how it supports the proposed research;
• The scope and limitations of the proposed research;
• A work plan and timeline for completion of the major stages of the research;
• The resources, facilities, and any required ethical or regulatory approvals, where applicable; and
• A provisional outline (table of contents) of the dissertation.

All students must register for the Research Proposal Examination (RPE) before the end of the Add/Drop period of the semester in which they plan to take the exam. The RPE consists of a public presentation of the proposal followed by a private examination session with the RSC as described below.

The RPE will typically be arranged within two weeks of the student’s submission of the Dissertation Proposal . The Main Advisor serves as the RPE Committee (RPEC) Chair.

The RPE generally consists of a public presentation of approximately 45 minutes’ (typically, 30 minutes for the student presentation and 10-15 minutes for questions), followed by a private examination session of up to 60 minutes (which can be extended to 90 minutes, if needed). Following the examination, the RPEC members, including the Chair, will meet privately to decide on whether the student has successfully defended the research proposal. The advisor/advisors’ decision is divided equally among the Main Advisor and Co-Advisor(s) such that each may decide independently, but the total advisor/advisors’ decision equals one. The other RPEC members each make one decision, except for external members, who do not have a role in the outcome of the examination. The final outcome of the Dissertation Proposal and Examination will be the lowest recommendation reported by the RPEC. The Chair will report the examination result to the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies who subsequently informs the Graduate Studies Office.

Typically, the questions presented to the student during the Research Proposal Examination (RPE) address the Dissertation Proposal and topics related to the proposed research and its broader field of study. The examination is intended to evaluate the quality, originality, significance, and feasibility of the proposed research, as well as the student's preparedness to undertake independent doctoral research. Specifically, the objectives of the examination are to:

• Evaluate the proposed research problem to determine whether it addresses a significant problem and, if successfully completed, is expected to make an original contribution to knowledge.
• Evaluate the quality and feasibility of the proposed research, including the research objectives, methodology, work plan, and expected outcomes.
• Assess the student's understanding of the proposed research area, including the relevant scholarly literature, current state of knowledge, and existing research gaps.
• Evaluate the student's ability to justify the proposed research methodology and demonstrate the technical and analytical competence required to undertake the research.
• Evaluate the progress made by the student in developing the proposed research and completing any preliminary work.
• Determine whether the expertise, facilities, and other resources required to successfully complete the proposed research are available.
• Determine whether the student is adequately prepared to undertake independent doctoral research and effectively communicate the proposed research and its anticipated outcomes.
• Provide constructive feedback and recommendations to strengthen the proposed research and guide the student's subsequent dissertation work.

The following outcomes of the Dissertation Proposal Examination are possible:

• A candidate shall not be awarded a “Pass” or “Pass with Minor Corrections” in the RPE if one or more examiners record an “Adjourned & Re-examination” or “Fail” decision.
• An outcome of Adjourned & Re-examination in the RPE shall result in the graduate student being placed on Academic Probation. The Research Proposal shall be revised and resubmitted for re-examination in the semester immediately following the semester in which the initial examination was conducted.
• An outcome of "Adjourned and Re-examination" in the RPE shall be awarded only once. Following the Research Proposal resubmission and the required re-examination, a graduate student who does not achieve a "Pass" or "Pass with Minor Corrections" outcome shall receive a "Fail" outcome.
• A Fail outcome results in dismissal from the PhD program.

Recommendation for Transfer to a Master's Degree Program

In exceptional circumstances, where the Research Supervisory Committee (RSC) determines that the Dissertation Proposal does not meet the standards required for continuation in the PhD program, and/or that the student's performance during the oral examination demonstrates insufficient readiness for independent doctoral research, the RSC may recommend that the student be considered for transfer to an appropriate Master's degree program through an approved Master's exit pathway. Such a recommendation may be made where the Committee concludes that, although the student is unlikely to satisfy the requirements of the PhD program, the student has demonstrated the academic ability and potential to successfully complete a relevant Master's degree.

A recommendation for transfer does not constitute approval for admission to a Master's degree program. Transfer is subject to the student's eligibility, satisfaction of the requirements of the relevant Master's degree program, and approval by the Graduate Studies Council.