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The main objective of the comprehensive exam is to demonstrate knowledge of the research frontier in the area and that there are sufficient open questions in the area to offer a number of potential directions from which to form a research proposal for the student's doctoral work. In consultation with their advisory committee, the candidate selects a topic for their comprehensive exam that encompasses the general area in which they expect to conduct their thesis research. The main deliverable of the comprehensive exam is a survey paper which comprises a thorough review of the chosen topic area in terms of both breadth and depth. The scope of the paper is expected to be considerably broader, and the content more technically substantial than that expected for CMPT 890. When it comes to the expected length and expected number of references for the paper, reasonable expectations will depend on the scope, the level of research activity in, and the maturity of the topic area, and the student's advisory committee. Typically, comprehensive exam papers are 20-30 pages long, and contain 50-150 references. Students should consult their advisory committee regarding such expectations. Comprehensive examinations are evaluated against the standard of quality for a publishable survey paper in a reputable refereed journal or conference proceedings. Students who are in doubt about the expectations for their comprehensive exam should consult their advisory committee.
The comprehensive examination should be completed within 18 months upon entering the Ph.D. program.
The comprehensive examination is conducted by the candidate's advisory committee.
The candidate is required to submit their written paper to their advisory committee at least two weeks prior to the date of the oral examination.
During the oral examination, the candidate will give a 15-20 minute summary of the survey. The examination committee will then examine orally the breadth and the depth of the knowledge of the candidate in the chosen area. The result of the examination is a statement from the examination committee on whether or not the committee is satisfied with his/her knowledge in the chosen area. The evaluation is based on both the written survey and the oral examination.
The candidate's supervisor is not permitted to provide significant assistance in the preparation of the comprehensive exam paper. The supervisor affirms this with the awarding of a passing grade on the comprehensive examination.
