Special Exams by Department

Chemistry

All entering Chemistry graduate students must take a set of placement exams. These examinations are in the four areas of chemistry considered fundamental for undergraduates: organic, inorganic, physical and analytical. The results of these examinations will be used to plan a student's further studies. If a student's score in any of these areas is below the acceptable minimum, the student must either retake and pass the exam or take the appropriate undergraduate course and receive at least a B.

These examinations will be administered at the beginning of the first semester a student is registered, usually 2-3 days before the beginning of classes.

Computer Science and Engineering

MS in Computer Science and MS in Computer Science with Information Technology option: Both require either passing competency tests or taking courses with a passing grade in the course competence areas for the degree. Further details on the specific course competence requirements can found in the NMT Program and Course Catalog.

Ph.D. in Computer Science: The candidacy examination consists of two parts: the breadth exam and the depth exam. The breadth exam is a test of proficiency in undergraduate level material and depth exam is a test of the student's readiness for dissertation-level research. Failure to pass either or both of these exams within the first four semesters as a Ph.D. student may result in termination of any and all funding. Further details on these exams can found on the program's webpage.

Earth and Environmental Science

Earth and Environmental Science Qualifying Examination: this examination is required for advancement to candidacy in the Earth and Environmental Science Department's doctoral programs. This rigorous, specialized examination involves writing and orally defending a dissertation proposal, plus written examinations (one from each committee member, each up to eight hours long, open or closed book) covering material relevant to the dissertation. The qualifying (aka, candidacy) exam is normally taken in the fourth or fifth semester, and can be repeated once if failed.

Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering

Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering Preliminary Examination: The purpose of the preliminary examination is to test the student's knowledge of undergraduate fundamentals in Petroleum Engineering. The PhD student must take this examination by the end of the first year of the student's residency in the PhD program. Further details can be found on the program's webpage.

Physics

The Physics Department requires all of its graduate students to take and pass a preliminary examination, offered twice yearly. The time line and level at which the examination must be passed depends upon the student's incoming degree level in Physics and whether he/she is pursuing a MS or PhD. The exam questions cover material from physics and mathematics normally included in an undergraduate physics curriculum.

Any student failing to pass the preliminary examination within the specified timeline will usually be disenrolled from the graduate program in Physics. See the "Physics Prelim Procedures" on the department website for further details.