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 |
Core Course Syllabi
Program Director
Jim Galligan, PhD
galliga1@msu.edu
Graduate Program Director
Greg Swain
swain@chemistry.msu.edu
Academic Program Coordinator
Eleri Thomas
thom1625@msu.edu
Student Aide
Allison Hartwick
hartwi34@msu.edu
Giltner Hall
293 Farm Lane Room 108
East Lansing, MI
48824-1101
Phone: (517) 353-8947
Fax: (517) 432-2744
neurosci@msu.edu
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