PhD Qualifying Examination
Aims of Examination
The PhD Qualifying Examination (PQE) aims to
- Allow the student to confirm as a PhD candidate
- Ensure that the student has satisfactory research progress
- Ensure that the student’s research proposal is sufficient for a PhD
- Ensure that the student is competent at the PhD level
Composition of Examination Panel
- With effect from the August 2010 intake, the PQE will comprise of a written and an oral component. The written component will be assessed by two invited examiners.
- The Head of Department may be requested to help nominate an examiner in a highly specialized area.
- Students will be allowed to proceed to the oral component after they have passed the written component of the PQE.
- For the oral component, there will be at least three members on the Oral Panel; a Chairperson nominated by the CSI Graduate Program Academic Committee (GPAC) and the two invited examiners.
- The Chairperson of the Oral Panel is empowered to make decisions on the outcome of the PQE in consultation with the other two members.
- Thesis advisor(s) will be invited to sit in as observers. Thesis advisor(s) are not allowed to speak on behalf of their student unless he/she is asked to do so by the PQE Oral Panel. Thesis advisor(s) are also not allowed to take part in the deliberations on the outcome of the PQE.
Requirements
- Pass the 4 prescribed core courses - CDM5101, CDM5102, MDG5108, MDG5771 (for students admitted prior to Aug 22 intake)/ NG5001 (for students admitted from Aug 22 intake onwards) and NG5002 (for students admitted from Aug 24 intake onwards) with an average of at least 3.6 for all core courses.
- Pass and obtain a minimum grade of C+ for Graduate English course(s), where applicable, for students admitted with effect from August 2010.
- Substantial published / publishable work done in a project that is highly creative/original, or involves innovative new technology.
- Student must complete the PQE within 24 months from the date of enrollment. Therefore, we recommend students to apply for PQE about 3 semesters after enrollment.
Examination Format
Student needs to submit an application form to the Chairperson of the GPAC together with:
- A written PhD Research Proposal for the written component using the prescribed template.
- Any publication(s) or manuscript(s) submitted, accepted or published.
- Recent TAC meeting report
These documents are to be submitted at least two months ahead of the oral examination.
The written PhD Research Proposal will be forwarded to the two invited examiners for examination. If the student passes the written component, the oral examination will be scheduled. If the student is asked to revise his/her Research Proposal, he/she will be given 1 month for revision and re-submission.
For the oral component, the student will make an oral presentation in front of the PQE panel. The student should prepare a written rebuttal and submit to the Oral Examination Panel before the Oral Examination. The rebuttal should also be incorporated into his/her oral presentation.
The oral panel will assess the student’s presentation ability, understanding of concepts and critical thinking. The student is also expected to answer questions raised by the audience. The duration of the oral presentation should not exceed 45 minutes. At the end of the open seminar, the panel will conduct a close-door examination in which the student will be questioned on the work done as well as future research plans.
If the student is asked to re-take the oral examination, he/she will be given 1 month to do so. The student will only be allowed to re-take the oral examination once. If the student fails the written examination or oral examination, he/she will be asked to exit from the program.
Students who do not complete their PhD Qualifying Examination by the 24th month will have their Research Scholarship (RS) monthly stipend reduced to faculty level. CSI will only reinstate RS after student has completed and passed PQE.
Possible Outcomes
- Candidate who has fulfilled coursework requirements and with data published or publishable in a reputable journal will be allowed to confirm as a PhD candidate.
- Candidate who has fulfilled coursework requirements but whose preliminary data was deemed unsatisfactory after oral examination will be asked to exit the program.
- Candidate who has fulfilled coursework requirements but with no publishable data will not be called for oral examination and will be asked to exit the program.
- Candidate who has not fulfilled coursework requirements and with no publishable data will not be allowed to register for PQE.