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Individualized Comprehensive Examination

The comprehensive examination is taken after the student has completed the required course work and Master's Thesis work. As the student approaches the completion of required courses, a Program of Study is developed, in consultation with the adviser. This Program of Study is designed to help the student develop an in-depth appreciation of those areas that are of particular interest, and to increase breadth of knowledge in related areas.

At the beginning of the fall quarter of the third year, the comprehensive examination committee is formed. The make-up of this committee is based on the topics selected in the Program of Study. Members of the committee are selected to provide suitable guidance in these specific topic areas. The committee can include three or more faculty members, but at least two must be from the BBC area. In consultation with committee members, the student develops a bibliography adequately covering the approximately six topics within the program of study. After approval of the bibliography by the committee, the student undertakes to master the areas selected. A two-day written examination is used to assess the student’s mastery of these areas. The student writes on three topics each day, following questions set by the comprehensive examination committee. Among the topics, some should cover specific issues within basic content areas in brain, behavior, and cognition (for example, sensory analysis, perception, memory, emotion, and other aspects of cognition). In addition, some topics should cover specialized knowledge in various areas that will make some contact with the doctoral thesis work to be undertaken. It is important to include topics from allied fields to allow for breadth of knowledge and possible novel connections across topics. The aim is to give students the opportunity to acquire in-depth knowledge in areas outside of their previous coursework and future doctoral research area. The examination is normally taken during the Spring Quarter of the third year.