MFR Final Examination

The Advisory Committee serves as the Oral Examining Committee for the MFR. The Master of Forest Resources final oral examination includes questions related to courses on the Program of Study.

MS Final Examination and Thesis Defense

The Advisory Committee serves as the Oral Examining Committee for the MS. The Master of Science final oral examination includes questions related to courses on the Program of Study. The Thesis Defense focuses on issues of thesis design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Information not related directly to a candidate’s course work, but that can be reasonably expected to be part of an advanced degree holder’s store of knowledge, is normally covered. Some changes in the thesis are often necessitated by information that comes to light during the Thesis Defense. The Final Oral Examination may be separate from, or included with the Thesis Defense, at the discretion of the Advisory Committee. A seminar summarizing thesis research must be presented by the MS candidate immediately preceding the thesis defense. This will be open to the public.

PhD Written Comprehensive Examination

Procedures for conducting the written comprehensive examination are determined by the Advisory Committee. Usually an individual examination is prepared, administered, and graded by each Committee member. A copy of the candidate’s completed examination should be reviewed by all Committee members.

PhD Oral Comprehensive Examination

The oral examination is conducted by the Advisory Committee and is scheduled soon after the student passes the written examination. It consists primarily of questions related to the student’s course work, research interests, and career goals. The format and content of the comprehensive examination are determined by the Advisory Committee. The Graduate School must be notified by the Degree Program Specialist not less than two weeks before the oral comprehensive examination is to be held.

PhD Final Oral Examination and Dissertation Defense

The Advisory Committee administers the final oral examination. The final oral examination at the doctoral level is a defense of the dissertation. Its focus is generally on determining whether the candidate fully understands the materials contained in the dissertation, rather than on determining the adequacy or validity of the dissertation. Some changes in the dissertation are often necessitated by information that comes to light during the final oral. A seminar summarizing dissertation research must be presented by the PhD candidate immediately preceding the dissertation defense. This will be open to the public.