Cumulative Examination

Prior to taking the Oral Comprehensive exam for the Ph.D., each Ph.D. aspirant must accumulate a total of 8 points on cumulative examinations within two years after entering graduate school (four semesters, not counting summers). A PASS is worth 2 points and a FAIL is worth 0 points. During the first year only, two BORDERLINE or marginal performances may receive 1 point for each. Six points must be in the student's major area of interest. In Chemical Education, the student must have four points in the student’s chosen traditional area of chemistry and four in chemical education. Students who do not accumulate 8 points within two years will not be allowed to continue in the Ph.D. program.

If the student accumulates a total of only 6 points in the two year period, the student may petition the Graduate Affairs Committee and, under exceptional mitigating circumstances, may be granted attempts to accumulate the remaining points.