Comprehensive Exams
The Comprehensive exam will consist of two components: 1) Standardized and 2) Specialized. The standardized component of the comprehensive exam will consist of a take home written exam in which students are required to prepare answers to three questions. For the specialized component, students will develop a dissertation research plan in consultation with their research advisor and guidance committee. Once a plan is approved, the student will give an oral defense of their written plan.
For more detailed information, please see the Comprehensive Exam section of the Graduate Student Handbook
Comprehensive Exam Resources
- Comprehensive exam advice
- On the science of scientific writing
- Strategies for doing a literature search
Example Questions
| Controversy | Translational | NRSA |
| 2011-2012 | 2011-2012 | 2011-2012 |
| 2013 | 2013 | 2013 |
| 2014 | 2014 | 2014 |
| 2015 | 2015 | 2015 |
| 2016 | 2016 | 2016 |
| 2018 | 2018 | 2018 |
| 2019 | 2019 | 2019 |
| 2020 | 2020 | 2020 |
Passing Answers and Faculty Feedback
| Controversy | Translational | NRSA |
| 2010 | ||
| 2011 | 2011 | |
| 2012 | 2012 | 2012 |
| 2012 | 2012 | 2012 |
| 2012 | 2012 | 2012 |
| 2015 | 2015 | 2015 |
| 2016 | 2016 | 2016 |