Program Information :

Degree Requirements:
Three examinations must be passed to obtain a Ph.D. degree in MCDB&G: a written preliminary examination, an oral preliminary examination and a final oral examination with thesis defense. These examinations are administered and graded by the student's committee, a group of five faculty members chosen by the student and his/her advisor and approved by the Director of Graduate Studies. In addition to conducting the examinations, this committee monitors the student's progress and provides guidance and scientific expertise.

Written Preliminary Examination: This exam is taken at the start of spring semester of the second academic year.  It consists of an original research proposal of the student's own creation. You may not write on your thesis topic or on any other topic that you have written on in the recent past.  The proposal is read and graded by three members of the student’s committee.

Oral Preliminary Examination: Within a period of three months after passing the Written Preliminary Examination, students schedule the Oral Preliminary Examination with all five members of their committee. The examination includes a defense of the written preliminary proposal and more general questions to evaluate the student's breadth of knowledge.

Final PhD Oral Examination: The completed thesis is distributed to three members of the student’s committee who serve as readers and who certify that the thesis is ready for defense. The final oral examination consists of a public research seminar presented by the student and an examination by the members of the student’s committee, which is not open to the public.