The qualifying examination is a written exam consisting of two distinct parts, mathematics and computer science. The mathematics part ensures that the student has sufficient mathematical maturity to pursue advanced study in computer science. This exam is offered once a year during the Fall semester. The computer science part of the qualifying examination is meant to ensure that the student has sufficient breadth and depth in computer science to take advanced courses and to conduct research. This exam is offered once a year during the Spring semester.
Students can retake any failed examination once within one year of the first attempt.
The examination is intended primarily to force the student to conduct a thorough, disciplined literature search and to evaluate work related to the dissertation topic. Comprehension of existing literature and course material pertinent to the dissertation research, as well as the reasonableness of the unknown or undeveloped concepts that the student proposes, will be assessed by the Advisory Committee. The responsibility of the Advisory Committee is to review the research proposal and the qualifications of the student to complete the research successfully. If the research and the approach are found to be significant and appropriate and the student is judged capable of completing the research, the Advisory Committee will approve the research direction. If the Advisory Committee does not find the student ready to begin dissertation research, it must suggest further preparation by the student and plan on a subsequent comprehensive examination.