Overview

• The Comprehensive Exam consists of two components: Part 1 (written) and Part 2 (oral).
• Each component of the comprehensive examination is graded separately.
• Only two attempts (for each part) are allowed: if a student fails the same part of the examination twice, the student will be asked to withdraw from the PhD program.
• Both parts of the comprehensive examination must be completed by the end of 6^th term of enrolment in the program.

PhD Epidemiology students must

1. Submit a letter of intent (LOI – more detail below) for the comprehensive examination four months prior to the scheduled date of the written component (Part 1) of the exam;
2. Register in EPI 9998 during the term that they take the written component (Part 1) and remain registered in EPI 9998 until both Part 1 (written) and Part 2 (oral) of the examination requirements are complete; and
3. Complete both components of the comprehensive examination (written and oral) by the end of 6^th term of enrolment in the PhD program (exceptions may be made in the event of a failed attempt, with permission of the Program Director).

Registration and timing

• The written comprehensive examination is typically offered once per year, in the Fall term.
• Students must indicate their intention to take the comprehensive exam at least four months prior to the date of the written component.
• To indicate intention, a student must submit a brief LOI (maximum 2 pages) by email to the Chair and Co-Chair of the SEPH Comprehensive Examination Committee, copying the Program Director.
  • LOI CONTENT: The LOI should outline the student’s proposed thesis project in sufficient detail to allow part 2 (oral component) examiners to prepare. The student’s Supervisor, Co-Supervisor (if applicable), and all TAC members should be listed on this document.
• Students must be enrolled in EPI 9998 during the term that they take the written component and remain enrolled until both parts of the examination are complete.
• PhD Epidemiology students typically take the written component of the examination in their 4^th term in the program. Students who fast-track to the PhD program from the MSc Epidemiology program may take the written exam in their 1^st term in the PhD program.
• Both parts of the comprehensive examination must be completed by the end of 6^th term of enrolment in the program.
  • Exceptions may be granted by the Program Director due to a failed attempt at Part 1. Students who have not passed both parts of the comprehensive examination by the end of the 6th term will be asked to withdraw from the program.
• The oral component (part 2) will be scheduled to take place 2 to 4 weeks after the written component. With permission of the comprehensive examination committee Chair, the oral component may be taken later for students who have fast-tracked to the PhD program from the MSc Epidemiology program.

Examination Committee

The examination committee for the written component (Part 1) of the comprehensive exam includes faculty members with appointments in the School of Epidemiology & Public Health who make up that year’s comprehensive exam committee.

An examination committee for the oral component (Part 2) of the comprehensive exam is created for each student and has two members:

• The first examiner will be a member of that year’s comprehensive exam committee.
• The second examiner will be a content expert who has an appointment in the School of Epidemiology & Public Health, chosen by the first examiner (in consultation with members of the comprehensive examination committee), based on the student’s letter of intent.
• All examiners are required to be present during the oral examination.

Final Approval from the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Office

Once the Comprehensive Examination is successfully completed and the required approvals have been received, the Comprehensive Examination Committee Chair will submit a report to Graduate Studies with a final grade of S (satisfactory). 

Written component (Part 1)

Written component description:

• A 3 hour written examination on core epidemiology concepts and methods.
• The written examination occurs on the same date for all students writing in a given term (typically once per year in the Fall term), typically in-person.
• It is an open book, individual exam.
• This examination covers foundational material from required Master’s-level courses in the School of Epidemiology and Public Health.
• A reading list and practice exams are provided in advance as a resource to assist students in their preparation. It is strongly suggested that students work in a study group to prepare.

Written component evaluation:

• The written examination is graded as pass/fail, with a grade of 65% indicating a pass. The exam will be approximately 50% on epidemiological concepts and 50% on biostatistical concepts. Examiners are blinded to which student’s exam they are grading.
• Students will be notified of their grade within 1 week following the exam.
• Only two attempts are allowed: if a student fails this part of the examination twice, the student will be asked to withdraw from the PhD program.

Oral component (Part 2)

Oral component description:

• A one-hour oral examination on a journal article relevant to the student’s thesis.
• Students must pass the written component before being eligible to take the oral component.
• Two examiners select a journal article of relevance to the student’s thesis topic (based on the student’s LOI).
• The article is submitted to the comprehensive examination Chair and then the Program Director for approval.
• The student is provided with the article 7 days prior to the Oral Component (part 2) examination date. The student may discuss the article with others, including their supervisor or TAC members, in preparation for the exam.
• The examiners pose a series of questions to the student during the examination. Questions are founded on the article but may extend to topics within the student’s general research area. The student does not receive the questions in advance; the examiners may adjust the line of questioning during the examination.
• All examiners are required to be present during the oral examination.
• The oral examination is a closed examination and may be conducted in-person or virtually.

Oral component evaluation:

• The Oral Component of the comprehensive examination is evaluated as pass/fail.
• Only two attempts are allowed: if a student fails this part of the examination twice, the student will be asked to withdraw from the PhD program.
• Students will be notified of their grade by examiners immediately following the exam.