BMCDB Qualifying Examination Information

What is the Qualifying Examination? 

The primary purpose of the Qualifying Examination (QE) is to validate that the student is academically qualified to conceptualize a research topic, undertake scholarly research, and successfully produce the dissertation required for a doctoral degree. The QE must evaluate the student’s breadth and depth of knowledge in the field and must not focus exclusively on the proposed dissertation research. 

Full information about BMCDB QE requirements can be found in the 2023 BMCDB degree requirements, the Graduate Studies website, and Graduate Council QE Policy. 

Read a step-by-step guide to the QE, written by BMCDB's Student Affairs and Advising Chair, here.

See a typical QE timeline for BMCDB students here. 

QE Committee Selection

QE committees consist of five faculty members, at least four of whom are members of the BMCDB Graduate Group. Three members of the QE committee, including the Chair, are chosen by the student; faculty must agree to serve. The Student Affairs and Advising Committee selects another two members, whom the student is allowed to veto. 

QE Scheduling and Application

As soon as the QE committee has been assigned, the student should work with the committee to schedule the exam. The student should also work with the QE chair to determine which, if any, emergency QE plans will be utilized (see Graduate Council QE policy for full information on emergency plans:

  • Remote exam - exam is held entirely remotely (no hybrid participation)
  • Backup Date/Time - at the time of scheduling the original exam, a second "backup" exam time is scheduled
  • Alternate Member - a pre-determined alternate member replaces a member who cannot attend due to an emergency (chair cannot be replaced by alternate member)

Once the exam has been scheduled, the student should complete the QE Application in GradSphere. This application must be submitted at least 30 days before the scheduled exam. If students would like an "MS Along the Way", they should submit that paperwork at the same time as their QE Application.

Students are responsible for scheduling a room for the Qualifying Exam. The major professor and/or QE chair may be able to suggest a room. There are also rooms available in Green Hall, Walker Hall, Tupper Hall, and Genome Center.

Before the Exam

At least two weeks prior to your exam, students should contact their committee with the following:

  • Reconfirming the date, time, and location of the exam
  • A copy of their unofficial transcript (obtained here)
  • Their research proposal (maximum of 5 pages)

Students should do their best to reduce stress leading up to the exam and preparing for common situations, like responding to questions they do not immediately know the answer to. Graduate Studies has many helpful tips to help students prepare for their exam day.

During and After the Exam

At the start of the exam, the student will be asked to leave the room while the Chair discusses the exam proceedings with the committee and organizes the order of the exam questions such that each committee member gets approximately 15-20 minutes of individual questions. 

At the end of the exam, the student will be asked to leave the room while the committee members deliberate and make a decision. The chair will present the decision to the student and complete necessary paperwork.

There are three possible outcomes to the exam:

  • Pass  - The committee unanimously decides the student passed the exam. The student may submit an Advancement to Candidacy application in GradSphere.
  • Retake - The committee unanimously decides some or all parts of the exam must be retaken. A memo with specific details of retake requirements and timeline for completion of the retake will be provided to the student.
    • Retakes are not uncommon, so students should not fear this outcome! The committee will work closely with the student to help them understand what areas of improvement are needed for the second exam.
  • Fail - This outcome is incredibly uncommon in MCIP. The committee unanimously determines the student failed the exam due to significant deficiencies, and the student is not currently prepared to continue in the doctoral program.  A unanimous fail on either the first or second exam is a recommendation of the student’s disqualification from the degree objective.

MS Along the Way

Students may decide to obtain an MS Plan II along the way to their PhD. In this situation, a passed QE is used to satisfy the Plan II Comprehensive Exam requirement. Students must pay the additional $55 MS Candidacy fee in additional to their PhD Candidacy fee if they select this option.

If students would like to pursue this option, they must do the following:

  • At the time of submitting their QE Application - submit a "Multiple Degree Objectives" application to their Graduate Program Coordinator. The student should obtain the "present graduate advisor" signature. The coordinator can obtain the "new graduate advisor" signature.
  • Before the QE - submit the MS Plan II Candidacy Application in GradSphere.
  • After Passing the QE - Ask the QE chair to submit the "Master's II Report" in GradSphere. Once the report is approved, the student will receive a copy. The student can then submit the MS Plan II Filing Process in GradSphere. This will finalize their MS Plan II degree. 

BMCDB QE Timelines

  • Start of year two: Q&A with the Advising Chair and Graduate Program Coordinator.
  • Fall quarter: This is when students should be approaching faculty to serve on the committee. The QE contract, which all three of a student's chosen committee members are required to sign, is due to the Graduate Program Coordinator by the last day of fall quarter.
  • Winter quarter: Once the Student Affairs and Advising Committee has selected the fourth and fifth QE committee members, students will receive an email asking them to approve or veto those members. Once the committee is approved, all five members are notified and scheduling can begin.
  • Spring quarter: This is when most students take the QE. It is a common practice for senior students to help QE-takers by scheduling practice exams. The written proposal is due to the committee two weeks prior to the oral exam.
  • Summer: It is uncommon, but acceptable, to take the QE in summer. Faculty availability is generally limited.
  • Fall quarter of year three: The end of fall is the latest point at which a student can take the QE. Students who have not yet QE'd by the start of fall are required to meet with their major professor (PI) and academic advisor.