(last modified September 25, 2008)

Beginning in Fall 2000, qualifying examinations are the basis for the breadth requirement of the IT Ph.D. degree. The following statements are taken from the university catalog ( http://www.gmu.edu/catalog/ite/iprograms.html#TOC_H30):

To satisfy the breadth requirement of the Ph.D. degree, each student must pass a set of qualifying examinations designed to test a student's fundamental knowledge. These examinations correspond to the individual master's programs in the School of Information Technology and Engineering. For each such program, at least two written exams will be offered, with each exam being based on a reading list posted in the table below. The qualifying exams are not associated with specific courses although some courses (called primary courses in the table below) may help students prepare for these exams. However, students should understand that courses listed as primary courses may only cover a portion of the reading list. Thus, it is the student's responsibility to prepare for the exams according to what is specified in the reading list.

These exams are offered twice a year in specified locations on campus, typically near the beginning of the fall and spring semesters. Each exam is allocated 2 hours. The examinations are graded on a pass/fail basis. Each student must take a set of four exams from three different degree programs within two years of enrolling in the program, unless fewer than 24 credits of course work have been completed in that time. Otherwise, the exams must be taken no later than the first opportunity following the completion of 24 credits. A student has two chances to pass the qualifying exams.

Each student must pass a set of four different exams in two consecutive offerings of the exams. Four exams must be attempted in the first offering. Thus, the following passing scenarios are allowed: a) pass all four on the first attempt, b) pass three in the first attempt and one in the next, c) pass two in the first attempt and two in the next, d) pass one in the first attempt and three on the second, and e) pass all four on the second attempt. The exams attempted on the second offering need not be the same as in the first. A student who fails to pass the qualifying exams in any of these scenarios is dismissed from the Ph.D. in program. Students may reapply to the PhD in IT program after either receipt of the engineer degree in information technology or a period of three years, whichever is shorter.

After two unsuccessful attempts, a student is dismissed from the Ph.D. program.

For students who have chosen one of the concentrations within the Ph.D. program, more restrictive rules apply. Such students should review the requirements for their particular concentration.

The chart below provides information on the qualifying exams offered by each masters program. This list may evolve over time, but attempts will be made to minimize the changes. Where information is available, exams are designated as open-book or closed-book; in the near future, this information will be available for all of the exams.

Policies and Procedures for Taking Qualifying Examinations

For those wishing to take one or more of these exams, here are the current policies and procedures:

• The exams will be offered twice a year: during the week preceding the Spring semester, and during the week preceding the Fall semester.
• Exams will be offered at the following time slots: 4:30pm to 6:30pm Monday through Friday and 7:00pm to 9:00pm Monday through Thursday on the exam week.
• If you wish to take one of these exams, you should submit a request to Laura Harrison in The Engineering Building Suite 2500 (lharrisc@gmu.edu, 703-996-1505) indicating the exams you wish to take. Your request must be approved by your advisor.
• Requests for taking exams are due two months before the exam date. Exams will only be created in response to requests. The form is available here. (Acrobat Reader required.)
• The week before the exams, you will be notified about which exam will be scheduled in which time period. You will also be told the location where the exam will be given.
• Students are allowed to withdraw from exams with no reason ten days before the exam. Once this time limit has passed, students with circumstances beyond their control, i.e., illness, car accident, family illness or other family issues, are required to notify the associate dean at the earliest possible time and provide documentation to support their claim. The student will then be allowed to take the exam at the next available testing date. If the student is a no show for the exam or hasn’t contacted the associate dean to be excused, the student will automatically fail the exam.
• You should bring with you writing materials (pens/pencils, paper) and a calculator (the exam instructions will indicate if you are allowed to use a calculator). If the exam is open book, you should also bring with you the appropriate reference materials. For more detailed information about an exam, please consult the individual program responsible for the exam.
• Qualifying exams are double-blind. Exam takers are not supposed to know the identity of the faculty members who prepare the exams and exam graders will not know the identity of the student taking the exam. A number will be assigned to the student once his/her scheduling confirmation is sent. Students should use this number to identify themselves when taking the exam.
• We do not provide copies of previous qualifying exams.

Grade appeal procedures: 

• Students who wish to appeal their grades must contact the Coordinator for Graduate Student Services at the office of the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies. Students will be allowed to view their exams, make notes, and fill out a grade appeals form.
• No frivolous grade appeals (i.e., based on exam style or types of questions) will be granted.
• The Associate Dean will interact directly with the faculty member(s) in charge of writing the exams and with other faculty members as appropriate and will then inform the student the result of the grade appeal.
• Grade appeals must be submitted in writing within one week of receiving the grade. Results of grade appeals will be sent to the student as soon as possible.

Here are the scheduled dates for the qualifying exams (through Fall 2009): 

• August 10-14, 2009
• January 4-8, 2010
• August 9-13, 2010

Options for Students who Fail the Qualifying Examinations

A student who does not pass a complete set of qualifying examinations after two attempts will be dismissed from the Ph.D. program. The student will, however, be given an opportunity to transfer to another degree program at the University. Such students may wish to consider switching to the Engineer degree in Information Technology. Students may re-apply to the Ph.D. program upon completion of the Engineer degree; the specific requirements for doing this are in the university Catalog, in the section for the Engineer degree in Information Technology.

Alternatively, students may re-apply to the Ph.D. program after a period of three years.

List of Qualifying Examinations