Level II Requirements
SECOND EXAMINATION - Students must
demonstrate advanced understanding and research competence
in their area of specialization and related fields of biology
by passing an oral Second Examination. This examination is
administered by an Examination Committee and is to be completed
by the end of the fourth semester following the successful
completion of the First Examination and after the completion
of any language and research technique requirements. Students
failing to complete the Second Examination in this prescribed
period will not be permitted to register and will be dropped
from the Program (see the Student Handbook for policies and
procedures for appealing withdrawal from the Program). (Please
refer to Section VI for complete details of this examination.)
CONTINUATION IN THE DOCTORAL PROGRAM - The student must demonstrate
advanced understanding and research competence in the area of specialization
and related fields of biology by passing the Second Examination. The chair
of the student's advisory committee serves as the chairperson of the Examination
Committee. This examination is to be completed by the end of the fourth
semester following the successful completion of the First Examination and
after the completion of any language or research techniques requirements.
Students failing to complete the Second Examination in this prescribed
period will not be permitted to register and will be dropped from the Program.
The Executive Officer, or a designee, will remind the student by letter
that this obligation is to be fulfilled.
COMPOSITION OF THE ADVISORY AND SECOND EXAMINATION COMMITTEES -
1. Within one year of passing the First Examination, the student must select
a member of the CUNY doctoral faculty in Biology who is willing to act
as an adviser. The student's adviser serves as the chair of the advisory
and examination committees. The student's advisory committee consists of
an adviser and at least two other members of the CUNY Biology doctoral
faculty. At least one member of the advisory committee must be a member
of the CUNY line doctoral faculty in Biology. A document signed by the
student and the selected advisor and advisory committee members must be
submitted to the Program Office to confirm this choice. Before a student
takes the Second Examination, it is the responsibility of the student to
identify and secure the agreement of an adviser who is a member of the
CUNY doctoral faculty willing to serve in that capacity.
2. The student's Second Examination Committee will consist of the above
advisory committee and at least two additional examiners from campuses
or institutions other than the student's home campus. At least two members
of the Second Examination Committee must be members of the CUNY line doctoral
faculty in Biology.
PREPARATION AND PROCEDURES FOR THE SECOND EXAMINATION -
1. Students must fulfill the language and research techniques requirement,
if any, and complete at least 30 credits of course work before taking the
Second Examination.
2. The "Application for the Second Examination" form must be
completed and submitted to the Executive Officer at least one month prior
to the examination date. (Please see Appendix O for a sample application
form.)
3. The student prepares a thesis proposal, which as part of the "application"
will be distributed to the examiners.
4. The student's advisory committee, in consultation with the student,
will:
a. define at least two reasonably restricted and related areas that, in
addition to the proposed thesis, are the subject of the examination
b. recommend two examiners from campuses or institutions other than
the student's home campus
5. The examination will be oral in form, usually lasting two to three hours.
6. Should any member of the advisory committee be absent from the examination,
the Second Examination must be rescheduled. One of the examiners selected
as an off-campus examiner may act as a reader for the Second Examination
should they be absent due to unforseen circumstances and with the approval
of the Executive Officer.
7. The chair of the advisory committee shall, at the completion of the
examination, fill out and forward to the Executive Officer with appropriate
signatures, the results of the examination on the form entitled "Report
of the Second Examination." (Please see Appendix P for a sample form.)
8. The results of the Second Examination will be one of the following:
Pass
We certify that the candidate has passed the Second Examination. We accept
the dissertation proposal as presented.
Pass with minor conditions (will allow a student from advancing
to Level 3)
We certify that the candidate has passed the Second Examination. In addition
to any other condition we will consider the dissertation proposal acceptable
after minor revisions are approved by the Chair [specify conditions explicitly
and procedure and date for fulfilling].
Pass with major conditions (will not allow a student a student
to advance to Level 3)
We certify that in addition to any other condition, in our judgement, the
candidate's dissertation proposal requires major revisions. It must be
resubmitted for approval by the Chair and at least two members of the examining
committee including the members of the Advisory Committee [specify conditions
explicitly and procedure and date for fulfilling].
Fail
We certify that the candidate has failed the Second Examination, and make
the following recommendations [specify recommendations explicitly].
** CERTIFICATE OF CANDIDACY IN PHILOSOPHY AND THE
MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY DEGREE
Students who have fulfilled all the requirements for the degree except
those pertaining to the dissertation are eligible to be advanced to candidacy
and to receive an "Advancement to Candidacy for the Doctoral Degree" form.
(Please see Appendix Q for a sample form.) The student should apply to
the Executive Officer in writing. A certificate of candidacy will then
be issued by the Registrar. Such students may also receive the Master of
Philosophy Degree upon application to the Registrar.
