Qualifying Examination

The qualifying examination should be taken early in the student's doctoral program. The examination can be given after at least 18 credits have been earned in graduate courses beyond the baccalaureate; however, it must be taken within three semesters (excluding summer sessions) of entry into the doctoral program.

Qualifying Examination 

The Qualifying Exam Committee, consisting of two graduate faculty from AN SC and the Director of the Animal Science Graduate Program & Admissions Committee shall assess the student's English competency and administer the qualifying examination. The faculty advisor will be present as a non-voting member. The examinations may be administered at any time so long as this complies with the guidelines listed above. The qualifying examination shall consist of the following:

The student shall present a critique of an assigned published manuscript to the qualifying examination committee. This presentation will also serve as a means to evaluate English competency.

The decision as to whether the student has been successful in the entire qualifying examination shall be rendered by majority decision of the Qualifying Examination Committee. The decision will be to pass, fail, or re-examine (only one re-examination shall be offered). At the conclusion of the qualifying examination, the Director of the Qualifying Exam Committee will notify the student, and the dean of the Graduate School whether the student has been accepted as a doctoral candidate. Reports on the Qualifying Examination are filed for the program as well as the Graduate School.

Master of Science (M.S.) as a Qualifying Exam

The completion of a MS degree in the appropriate biological topic area may be considered to fulfill the candidacy exam requirement. The MS advisory committee may request that this occur and provide the MS thesis and associated manuscripts to the qualifying examination committee for consultation. The three voting members shall render a yes or no decision.