Notes

It will test your knowledge of basic methods and introductory theory. Students who fail the exam may, upon recommendation of the faculty, be allowed to take it a second time, but approval of a second opportunity is not automatic.

Upon completion of course work, normally in the third year of Ph.D. study, students who have passed the qualifying exam must take a preliminary exam. This exam is required by the university and is   intended to test the student’s breadth and depth of knowledge in the chosen field of study. The exam is prepared in consultation with the student’s major professor and advisory committee. It consists of two parts: (1) a statistical foundations exam; (2) an integrated topics exam over the student’s area of specialization. Students are also required to present a seminar on a topic approved by the major professor and advisory committee in which the student is to demonstrate an ability to read and communicate information in the research literature.