Qualifying Exam Policy

This qualifying exam is required of all students enrolled in the Telecommunications Engineering (TE) Ph.D. program.

  • TE Ph.D. students must receive a grade of B or better in the following courses: CS/TE 6390, CS 6352, EE6349, and EE6352. Courses CS/TE 6390 and CS 6352 define the material for the CS part of the TE Qualifying exam. Courses EE 6349 and EE 6352 define the material for the EE part of the TE Qualifying exam.
  • Students enrolled in the EE or CS program who are already exempt from taking the qualifying exam in EE or CS can transfer to TE’s Ph.D. program without having to take the TE qualifying exam.
  • The EE part of the TE qualifying exam is to be given at the same time, place, and date as the EE qualifying exam. TE students must pass the EE part of the qualifying exam (EE6349 and EE 6352) according to the EE rules.
  • The CS part of the TE qualifying exam is to be given at the same time, place, and date as the CS qualifying exam. TE students must pass the CS part of the qualifying exam (CS/TE 6390 and CS 6352). At most one of the two passes can be a conditional pass converted into a pass using the rules used by CS.
  • Students who have passed the CS qualifying exam or the EE qualifying exam are exempt from taking the TE qualifying exam. In that event, student must adhere to the rules and regulations of the qualifying exam in his/her respective program. If a student chooses to take the CS qualifying exam, the examination must include CS/TE6390 and CS6352.
  • A new TE student who has failed the EE qualifying exam or the CS qualifying exam is not allowed to take/retake the TE parts of the qualifying exam without obtaining permission from the TE Chair.
  • Students must pass the qualifying exam within 2 years of joining the Ph.D. program. (If undergraduate leveling is required, the count starts after leveling.) Part time students and BS students admitted directly can take one more year to pass the qualifying exam.
  • Students must declare their intent to take the qualifying exam in a given long semester according to the rules established by CS and EE with regard to their qualifying exams.
  • The decision on an exam is pass or fail.
  • Decisions will be made regarding the passing or failing of students by a committee appointed by the TE Chair.