University of Cincinnati    

               

PhD Qualifying Exam in

Environmental Engineering and Science

 

 

Part 1.  Fundamental Principles (written, 100 points maximum; need 70 to pass)

One question prepared by instructors of the EE&S principles courses (mathematical, chemical and physical) to demonstrate knowledge of the materials and the ability of the student to synthesize and go slightly beyond class coverage.  This question will be reviewed and approved by the EE&S faculty one month prior to the exam. It is open book.  Students have 4 hours to complete it.  Work must be legible or the student is disqualified.  The final grade is a composite of scores from the three faculty members who prepared the question.

 

Part 2.  Research Contribution  (written, 100 points maximum; need 70 to pass)

Student prepares a concise and grammatically correct 5-page double-spaced summary of their probable research topic.  Format will be provided by the PhD QE committee.  The summary shall include the following elements:

 

a.        Title sheet with signed statement that work is students only (advisor has not intervened)

b.       Problem Statement   (background and need)

c.        Research Objectives   (hypothesis to be tested)

d.       Experimental Design   (numerical / analytical / laboratory / field parameters, measurements)

e.        Expected Results  (Tables and Graphs are OK)

f.         Signficance of Work   (What is contribution to new knowledge?  How deviate from advisor's project?)

g.       Key References

 

Graded by PhD QE committee; use average of three scores.

 

Part 3.  Critical Review (written, 100  points maximum; need 70 to pass)

Faculty advisors submit clean copies of 3 papers (none authored or coauthored by advisor).  The QE committee will select one of them and ask that the student prepare a thorough written critique of the work.  The critique will follow the format of a technical paper review.  Limited to 3 double spaced typed pages.  Graded by PhD QE committee.

 

Summary of Parts 1, 2, 3  (300 points maximum on written portion)

Parts 2 and 3 must be completed within 1 week.  Students scoring at least 70 on each of the three parts (minimum score 210) will be invited to the oral exam. 

 

Part 4. Oral Exam (-30 to +30 points)

The oral examination can cover any aspect of the written exam, but will emphasize the student's proposed research described in Part 2.  The student's advisor is encouraged to attend the oral exam as an impartial observer but may not provide aid during the examination.   Final recommendations after the oral examination can be:

 

v Unconditional Pass        (240 to 330 points)

v Conditional Pass             (210 to 239 points)

v Failure                               (less than 210 points)

 

Subsequent Steps

A student can present a dissertation proposal only after earning an unconditional pass on the PhD qualifying exam.

 

A student with a conditional pass must be re-examined within 6 months at a meeting of the EE&S faculty.  To receive an unconditional pass, the student must meet two criteria:  (i) earn 3/4 affirmative vote of the EE&S faculty present at the re-examination and (ii) complete all remedial action assigned by the PhD QE committee.  Voting is by closed ballot.  The student’s advisor is responsible for announcing and coordinating the re-examination process.  If more than 6 months elapse, the conditional pass automatically reverts to a failure.

 

A student who fails the PhD qualifying exam can take it again only if a petition is filed within 6 months of the first exam and approved by a majority of the EE&S faculty.  A student can take the exam a maximum of two times.

 

Created April 2, 2003; revised April 7, 2004