{"id":10546,"date":"2025-06-24T12:07:08","date_gmt":"2025-06-24T18:07:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.boisestate.edu\/computing\/?page_id=10546"},"modified":"2026-07-30T14:19:15","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T20:19:15","slug":"comprehensive-exam","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.boisestate.edu\/computing\/academics\/doctoral-program\/comprehensive-exam\/","title":{"rendered":"Comprehensive Exam"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The purpose of the comprehensive exam in a PhD program is to determine the preparedness of students to perform tasks composing the scientific research process in the field of computing.  This includes having knowledge in core areas of their specific emphasis, understanding relevant scientific literature, designing and writing software components and presenting technical information both orally and in writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please refer to the Comprehensive Exam Guide provided in the Computing PhD Student Handbook<\/a> for detailed comprehensive exam procedures and a helpful checklist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Comp Exam<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Comp Exam \u2013 Elements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The comprehensive exam is comprised of four elements:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Emphasis core courses:<\/strong> The purpose of this requirement is for the students to have a breadth of knowledge and practical understanding in their particular emphasis area.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Synthesis paper:<\/strong> The purpose of this requirement is to prepare the students early on their scientific reading and writing abilities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Computing artifact:<\/strong> As the program grants a PhD in Computing, the purpose of this requirement is that students who graduate from this program will be able to make a contribution in their respective emphasis areas through computation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Oral presentation:<\/strong> This is a presentation of the content of the synthesis paper and a formal examination on advanced knowledge necessary for the synthesis paper and computing artifact.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Comp Exam \u2013 How to Register<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    All students must request a permission number to enroll in comprehensive exam. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. Talk to your advisor about forming your supervisory committee and start identifying potential members. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Submit the Pre-Registration Form<\/a>. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Once the Pre-Registration form is approved you will receive your permission number and may enroll in COMPUT 691 Comprehensive Exam.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t
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