The University of Nevada, Reno -- Department of Electrical Engineering
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Comprehensive Exams:

These examinations are designed to assess the suitability of a Ph.D. student for research in a specific area and will therefore focus on advanced topics covered in graduate level courses or research papers. Satisfactory completion of these examinations is required for Ph.D. candidacy.

The exams should be taken before the student starts his Ph.D. research and after the satisfactory completion of the qualifying exams. Typically, a student will take these exams after the completion of all or most of the courses included in his Ph.D. Program. The student must submit a preliminary research proposal to his research committee prior to taking the comprehensive exams. The exam should cover three areas related to his Ph.D. research as outlined in his research proposal. The format of the research proposal will be decided by the research committee and will be used to determine the three areas on which he will be examined. For example, a student proposing research in Electromagnetics may be required to take examinations on Electronics, Electromagnetics, and Digital Signal Processing.

A student can retake the comprehensive exam once if his/her performance is deemed unsatisfactory by the examining committee. Students who fail to satisfy examining committee after the second comprehensive exam must drop out from the Ph.D.

Comprehensive Exam 795 (l-3) credits are not counted in the total credits required for the degree. Also, Comprehensive Exam credits may not be used to substitute for elective credits or be used to satisfy the minimum 700 level requirements for the degree.

For more information about the Doctor of Philosophy program please consult:

The UNR Course Catalog

The Graduate School

Department of Electrical Engineering, Mail Stop 260
University of Nevada, Reno
Reno, NV 89557
Phone (775) 784-6927, Fax (775) 784-6627
 		For questions or comments about this site, please email
Satyajith Bobba - webmastr@ee.unr.edu

July 19th, 2008