Department of Animal and Range Sciences

M.S. Written Exam Policy

August 2005

M.S. students are required to take a written exam normally administered during their third academic semester* or as soon thereafter as determined appropriate by the committee.  The exam will be written and administered by the student’s graduate committee.  The committee will give feedback to the student on their performance in a timely manner following completion of the exam.

            The following applies to the exam:

            a.         It will primarily cover material from the student’s Plan of Study.

            b.         It is not a pass/fail exam but will be used to evaluate the student’s:

                        1)         ability to think and synthesize facts

                        2)         written expression

                        3)         potential for satisfactory completion of the degree

                        4)         basic understanding of their field

Although the M.S. written exam is not pass/fail, unsatisfactory performance as evaluated by the student’s graduate committee, together with poor performance academically and in assistantship duties, can be grounds for termination.  In the event that performance on the written exam does not meet the expectations of the student’s committee, there are several likely consequences.

            1)         The student may be asked to re-do the question

            2)         A new course may need to be taken before completion of the degree

            3)         The student may face the same (or similar) question(s) on the Final Exam

It is advised that students meet with committee members (one-on-one) 4-6 weeks ahead of the anticipated exam date for recommendations as to what should be focused on. 

* Academic semester is considered Fall and Spring.  Summer session does not count toward this.