Clinical Science
Master's Program: Final Exam
The Masters student’s Final Examination will assess both the student’s field of concentration (CI-track) along with any combined field of study (HSR or HIT). This examination will include both a written exam requirement and an oral exam component, conducted by the Final Examining Committee (FEC).
For the written exam, a peer-review paper (where student is first author) or master's thesis (in the format required by the Graduate School) of their research interest is submitted to all members of the FEC one month prior to the exam date – pending the project approval of both the FEC Chair and the student Mentor. If the paper approach is pursued, a copy of the journal’s Instructions to Authors must also be submitted to each FEC member.
For the oral exam, a student presentation on their research (with questions directly related to the topic of interest) and an oral exam covering the other CI advanced coursework will be conducted by the FEC.
Scheduling:
At least one semester in advance of the planned exam date, students will need to contact the Masters Program Director to schedule their exam. The students must declare their secondary field of specialization (HSR or HIT track), if applicable, at this time. Due to limited faculty availability during Summer session, exams will normally be held during Fall and Spring semesters only. Students should plan to set aside a half day (4 hours) to take the Final Exam.
Room Scheduling/Support Services:
Students will work with the UCD Educational Support Services for classroom support such as reserving a room and supporting equipment for the student as appropriate.
Faculty Committee Process:
The Final Exam shall be conducted by the Final Examining Committee, appointed by the Masters Program Director - with the advice of the student - and approved by the Campus Graduate Dean. The FEC shall consist of five members of the graduate faculty (including at least one member who is outside of the CLSC faculty and at least three members designated as CLSC Graduate Faculty members). The FEC Chair is to be identified at the time the student's research interest is declared in a method to be prescribed by the Masters Program Director. The student's research Mentor may not be selected as one of the five appointed FEC members. As a formal program request, however, the Mentor will be expected to attend the student's Final Exam.
Exam Development and Grading:
When the student's project proposal is submitted, a CLSC Program-wide announcement will be distributed to both faculty and students of the planned date, time, location, and topic for the student's oral presentation. At the beginning of the Final Exam session, the student presentation will be held as an open session for approximately 45 minutes. After the Final Exam is completed, oral examination and deliberations may be held in closed session.
To have a passing grade assigned, a majority of the student's FEC members must agree that the student passed the oral exam. If any part of the Final Exam is failed, then the student may not retake the exam. As appropriate, a conditional pass may be recommended with the exam to be continued at a later date. If the student fails this exam, then the Masters Program Director may recommend to the Graduate School dismissal from the program.
Exam Paperwork:
Complete the forms on the Graduate School Student Services web page, following the instructions within. All forms are due to the Graduate School, signed, no later than two weeks prior to the Final Exam.