Examinations
Updated: 2011-2012 Proctored Exam Schedule
- For STM, ThD, and PhD students: This document indicates the schedule of proctored exam dates for 2011-2012. Students interested in signing up for a date must do so at least two weeks prior to the exam date. Contact Robyn Kinch to sign up or for more details at 353-3053. Space is limited. Students may also sit for exams with their advisor or a proctor of their advisor’s choice.
STM, ThD, and PhD Examinations
A selection from the STM handbook:
All STM students are required either to pass a written, two-hour comprehensive exam or to write a thesis. The presumed culmination for all admitted STM students is the written comprehensive exam. Students who want to write a thesis must petition to do so using the STM Thesis Petition Form (Appendix A).
Additional information can be found in the STM handbook.
ThD students are required to sit for both language examinations and qualifying examinations (written and oral).
A selection from the ThD handbook, section 2.2 Language Requirements:
Normally, Th.D. candidates must prove competence by examination in a minimum of two languages other than English, chosen in consultation with their advisors that are pertinent to their disciplines or envisioned program of research. Individual disciplines may require additional languages beyond the minimum.
The first language exam must be passed before the candidate registers for his or her third semester, or seventh course, whichever comes later. The second exam or its equivalent must be taken by the end of the fourth semester. Both examinations must be completed before the student may take the first Qualifying Examination.
Language proficiency must be determined by an exam given and graded under the auspices of Boston University.
The standard procedure for completing a language exam is as follows: The examiner (normally the major advisor) chooses two passages (about half a page each in length), one from among texts selected and prepared by the student, and one from other material chosen by the examiner. The student will have two hours to complete the translation of both passages. At the discretion of the advisor, candidates for whom English is a second language may be allowed up to one additional hour. A dictionary is the only reference material that may be used. Individual disciplines may set more restrictive standards for language examinations.
Language examinations must be proctored, either by the examiner (or someone chosen by the advisor) or under the administration of the Advanced Studies Program Coordinator according to the schedule posted. Students who wish to take an exam on one of the ASC proctored exam dates must sign-up with the Advanced Studies Program Coordinator no later than two weeks in advance of the exam date.
A selection from the ThD handbook, section 2.3 Qualifying Examinations:
The Th.D. degree program requires a minimum of four qualifying examinations. Two written qualifying exams are required for the major discipline and one written qualifying exam is required for the minor. When the written qualifying examinations have been successfully completed, the student takes a single oral qualifying exam integrating both the major and minor disciplines. Any discipline may require more examinations in the major or minor.
Each written examination is ordinarily four hours in duration. At the discretion of the advisor, candidates for whom English is a second language may be allowed up to one additional hour. The oral examination is two hours in duration. Some disciplines may apply more stringent examination requirements according to their own established procedures. Students should consult with their advisors about specific disciplinary requirements.
The second language examination must be completed before the student is eligible to sit for the Qualifying Examinations.
All qualifying examinations are to be taken within one year, or within one semester if required by the student’s major discipline. Normally, at least the first qualifying exam is taken in the first semester following the completion of coursework.
Written qualifying examinations must be proctored, either by the student’s advisor (or someone chosen by the student’s advisor) or under the administration of the Advanced Studies Program Coordinator according to the schedule posted. Students who wish to take their exam on one of the ASC proctored exam dates must sign-up with the Advanced Studies Program Coordinator no later than 2 weeks in advance of the exam date. If students are unable to take their qualifying exams on the monthly proctored exam date, the student must arrange a date and time for their exam with their advisor. For exams proctored by the Advanced Studies Program
Coordinator, examiners must submit exam passages no later than three business days prior to the exam date. The exam will be cancelled if the questions are not received by the end of that day.
Additional information on ThD language requirements and qualifying examinations can be found in the ThD handbook.
PhD students are required to sit for both language examinations and qualifying examinations (written and oral).
As of September 2011, the PhD program has made changes in exam format. Students were notified of this change in summer 2011. This page will be updated with further information as it is available.
Additional PhD requirements may be found in the PhD handbook.