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UC Davis ECE Ph.D. Preliminary Examination Overview

The Ph.D. preliminary examination at UC Davis in Electrical and Computer Engineering is an oral test to evaluate students' research potential. The exam covers six key areas and requires students to pass two exams in distinct areas. Scoring is based on a 1-4 scale, with specific criteria for pass, fail, and intermediate results. Preparation includes accessing course descriptions, following a timeline, and participating in mock interviews. Eligibility criteria include being a Ph.D. candidate, in good academic standing, and having a Major Professor. The process involves applying, selecting exam topics, and meeting registration deadlines.

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UC Davis ECE Ph.D. Preliminary Examination Overview

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  1. PREPARING FOR THE PRELIM UC Davis - Electrical and Computer Engineering

  2. GENERAL INFORMATION  The Prelim is an Oral Examination.  The purpose of the Ph.D. preliminary examination process is to determine a student’s potential for independent research.  Students admitted to the Ph.D. program who already have an M.S. degree in ECE must pass the preliminary examination within two years of admission.  Students not in possession of an M.S. degree in ECE when admitted must pass the examination within their first three years.  MS Students will have to petition to take the Preliminary Exam.

  3. EXAMINATION PROCESS  Proctored by two faculty members in each of the following six areas:  1. Physical Electronics  2. Signals and Systems  3. Electromagnetics  4. Active and Passive Circuits  5. Systems and Software  6. Digital System Design

  4. EXAMINATION PROCESS  Required to take two examination’s in at least two and no more than three areas.  Scores of two areas leading to the best outcome will be used.  Each examining panel can decide the length of its exam but it must be between 15 and 30 minutes long.  Exams will be finished by the end of the third week of the winter quarter.

  5. SCORING  Each of the two examiners present will assign a score from 1 to 4 (Fractional scores are allowed)  1 = Clear Fail  2 = Marginal Fail  3 = Marginal Pass  4 = Clear Pass  A total score of 16 is possible and the maximum exam score of each area, which is the sum of two individual scores, is 8

  6. SCORING  The following determinations are made from scores of four examiners in two areas:  Clear Pass if all of the following holds: the sum of all four scores is at least 12, the exam score of each area is at least 5, and no individual score (from any of the four examiners) is less than two.  Intermediate result if the student does not get a clear pass but the exam score of each area is at least 4.  Clear Fail if the student does not achieve either a clear pass or an intermediate result.

  7. SCORING – CLEAR PASS Exam 1 Exam 2 Examiner A = 4 Examiner B = 4 _________________________ Exam 1 Score = 8 Examiner A = 3 Examiner B = 4 _________________________ Exam 2 Score = 7 Total Score: 15

  8. SCORING – INTERMEDIATE Exam 1 Exam 2 Examiner A = 2 Examiner B = 2 _________________________ Exam 1 Score = 4 Examiner A = 3 Examiner B = 4 _________________________ Exam 2 Score = 7 Total Score: 11

  9. SCORING – CLEAR FAIL Exam 1 Exam 2 Examiner A = 1 Examiner B = 2 _________________________ Exam 1 Score = 3 Examiner A = 3 Examiner B = 4 _________________________ Exam 2 Score = 7 Total Score: 10

  10. INTERMEDIATE PASS  Intermediate result if the student does not get a clear pass but the exam score of each area is at least 4.  A letter of support from the Major Professor is needed  The student should discuss what information his/her major professor will require him/her to provide in order to write the letter  The letter should not be more than two pages long and should be received by the Graduate Program Coordinator by the end of the sixth week of the winter quarter. (Will provide exact deadline)

  11. INTERMEDIATE PROCESS  The Ph.D. Preliminary Examination Committee will make a recommendation on each intermediate result case by the end of the eighth week of the winter quarter.  The ECE Graduate Program faculty vote will determine the final outcome, either pass or fail, by the end of the winter quarter.

  12. PRELIM EXAM STATS WINTER 2023 Mock Interview Yes No Total Pass Intermediate Fail 2023 13 1 14 10 2 12 3 0 3 # of Exams Pass Intermediate Fail Total Two Exams Three Exams *A student took only 1 exam – automatic fail 9 7 2 4 1 20 14 11

  13. PREPARING FOR THE PRELIM EXAMS  Accessing Expanded Course Descriptions and Reading Materials  Undergraduate Course List and Descriptions  Doctoral Preliminary Oral Examination  Prelim Estimated Time Line  Preparing for the Prelim Workshop – October 20, 2023  Prelim applications opens – October 20, 2023  Prelim application closes – November 3, 2023  Declaration of Major Professor Form – November 3, 2023  GSA Mock Interview Dates:  First round of Prelim Mock Interviews – Mid November 2023  Second round of Prelim Mock Interviews – Early January 2024  Prelim Exam – January 22 – 26, 2024 in person

  14. REGISTRATION PROCESS  Online Application link was emailed October 18, 2023  Application Form due by November 3, 2023  Indicate exam topics Can select three topics and committee will count highest two grades. Must select at least two topics. One topic must be related to research area of Major Professor

  15. ELIGIBILITY  Ph.D. Candidate  Must be in good academic standing  Must be registered as a full-time student  Have submitted a signed Major Professor Form  MS Students will have to petition to take the Preliminary Exam  This includes a referral letter from a professor  Passing the Prelim does NOT grant automatic acceptance to the Ph.D. program

  16. REGISTRATION PROCESS  Your exam date and time will be assigned to you  You will be notified by email of your scheduled date and time early in January  The Preliminary Exam will be held in person this year  Please make sure you are available the week of January 22ndfor your exam date and time  Submit the Honor Code agreement

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