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1. Contact your committee members early in the spring.
2. In consultation with your committee, choose a date and time for your oral exam by using www.when2meet.com or a similar scheduling app. Start by offering days of the week, then drill down to specific times.
3. Email the Graduate Program Manager the date and time of your exam and ask for a room reservation. 
4. TWO weeks before your exam date, complete theComprehensive Exam Form. On the form, committee members four and five will be your advisor (PI) and the Director of Graduate Studies (email: chemdgs@colorado.edu, currently: Jordy Bouwman), respectively.
5. ONE week before your exam date, send committee your Research Proposition (see below tabs for more info).
6. AFTER the exam, send your advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies your Secondary Proposal (see below tabs for more info). This proposal must be submitted no later than the end of the fifth semester of enrollment (fall of year three)
7. Upon approval of your secondary proposal, submit your Official Application for Candidacy through the first tile on the linked page.
8. Receive confirmation from the Graduate School that you have been admitted to Candidacy!

1. Research Proposition

At least one week before the oral examination date, students will present (via email) a short thesis research proposition (approximately 5 pages) of their thesis research plan to each committee member. This overview will clearly outline the direction of the student's thesis, will provide the committee with some advance idea of the thesis research area, and will describe promising research results (if any).  Students might be asked at the time of the exam to describe and defend alternative experimental approaches to their research goals. Please remember to involve your advisor on the research proposition and request feedback from your advisor before sending to the committee. For information on writing a proposition, including formatting and content, please see the Proposals 101 section below.

2. Oral Exam

This examination will include questioning on 1) the student's research and 2) general topics to 

assess depth/breadth of knowledge, research readiness, and ability to cogently present and discuss complex ideas.  Students are expected to demonstrate a clear understanding of their thesis research and fundamental knowledge in chemistry and show the ability to think creatively. Students are strongly advised to spend time reviewing material from chemistry courses they have taken as undergraduates and graduates, since this material is often the subject of questioning during the examination.

Tips for Success

• Know Your Proposal Inside Out: Be ready to discuss every detail, including methodology, assumptions, and limitations.
• Anticipate Questions: Think critically about weaknesses in your proposal and how you would address them.
• Demonstrate Breadth and Depth: Show you can connect your specific research to broader concepts in your field.
• Practice Presentation: Rehearse your presentation with peers and/or your advisor to ensure clarity and confidence.
• Stay Calm and Professional: It’s okay to ask for clarification or take a moment to think before answering.

Exam Structure

• Opening and Introduction: The committee members may briefly introduce themselves and outline the format and expectations of the exam.  The chair will likely explain the order of events, including the presentation, questions, and deliberations.
• Presentation: Be prepared to speak for about 30 minutes, covering background, research questions, methodology, preliminary results (if any), and potential contributions to the field.  Recognize that, unlike during practice sessions, you may be interrupted within 2 to 3 minutes of beginning with questions from your committee.  You may use the chalk/white board, but you may not present materials prepared ahead of time such as slides or figures. 
• Question and Answer (Main Component): The Q&A session is the heart of the oral exam, typically lasting 1.5–2 hours.  It can be divided into two main categories: 1) research proposal-related questions and 2) general knowledge / foundational concepts.
• Discussion on Future Directions: The committee may ask about your plans for the next phases of your research.
• Committee Deliberation: After the Q&A, you will be asked to leave the room while the committee discusses your performance, including presentation and ability to articulate ideas clearly, depth and breadth of understanding, and potential to successfully complete PhD research.
• Feedback and Outcome:  The committee will provide feedback and a decision—pass, pass with conditions, or fail. 

3. Research Proposal (Secondary Proposal)

After the oral exam is completed, each student shall submit (via email) a research proposal to the two members of the examination board who were not members of the oral examination committee (student’s advisor and the Graduate Program Director, Jordy Bouwman at ChemDGS@colorado.edu).  Please include a copy of the research proposition in this submission.  The research proposal must be different than the research proposition and may have been submitted as part of a graduate fellowship application, may be written as a part of any graduate course in the Department where written proposals are required, or may be written as a part of a group meeting activity. The proposal must obtain the approval of both your research advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies.  Discuss with your advisor their expectations for your secondary proposal.

Secondary Proposal Deadline as of 2024 **READ**

Since students often rely on their senior peers for information, it is important to note the following, as the deadline of the secondary proposal has changed.  After faculty vote and approval of the Graduate School, students must now submit the secondary proposal no later than the end of the fall semester of year three.  Students who do not meet this deadline will be in violation of the standards for adequate progress as defined by Graduate School rules.  Students wishing to return to good standing may file an Academic Recovery Plan with the approval of their research advisor and the department’s Director of Graduate Studies.  If approved, the plan will allow for an extension to the end of the spring semester of year three.  

Candidacy

Once a student has completed the 3 steps above, they must submit a candidacy application  (*this should be done within two weeks of receiving approval on your secondary proposal). The Graduate School and the Department will then review the candidacy application to ensure the appropriate number of credits (15 formal and 15 non-formal) have been taken and ensure all 3 steps in the oral exam process have been completed. Once approved for candidacy, the Graduate School will send the student an email notifying them of this.

Planning your Oral Exam

Your oral exam will take place in the spring and must be completed before the end of your fourth semester. Most students take their oral exam in February-April. In January, students will be notified of who is on their committee. Students should first have a discussion with their advisor to determine when they think they should attempt to schedule their exam, then they should begin discussing with their committee a date/time/location. It is recommended you being the scheduling process early, as it becomes increasingly difficult to find a workable time as the semester progresses and schedules fill up. You should plan on scheduling a 2-hour block of time, although the exams frequently end up being shorter. Once a date and time has been determined for an exam, the student should notify Jay Bolan who will book a room on your behalf. 

Please note, if you take your oral exam toward the end of your spring semester, you may not be approved for candidacy before close of the term. Post-comp status does not take effect the semester in which it is granted.  If you are approved for candidacy in the spring, it takes effect in the summer.  If you are approved for candidacy in the summer it takes effect in the fall and so on and so forth.

What is a Scientific Proposal?

A scientific proposal is a structured document that outlines a planned research project. It serves as a roadmap, detailing the objectives, methods, significance, and expected outcomes of the study. Proposals are typically submitted to funding agencies, academic committees, or research supervisors to secure approval and support for the proposed work.

Importance of Writing Scientific Proposals

Why are you being asked to write a proposal?  It is a fair question.

Proficiency in writing scientific proposals is crucial for several reasons:

1. Securing Funding: Many research projects require external funding. A well-crafted proposal increases the likelihood of receiving grants from organizations such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) or the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
2. Demonstrating Feasibility: A proposal helps researchers articulate their research questions, justify the study’s significance, and demonstrate that their methodology is sound.
3. Enhancing Scientific Communication: Writing proposals develops skills in structuring complex ideas clearly and concisely, which is essential for writing research papers and grant applications.
4. Receiving Constructive Feedback: A proposal allows researchers to gain insights from advisors, collaborators, or funding bodies, refining their approach before conducting the actual study.
5. Planning Research Efficiently: A well-defined proposal serves as a blueprint, guiding researchers through the steps necessary to achieve their research goals.

Formatting, Length, and Sections of a Scientific Proposal

Proposal should be 4-5 pages in length (including figures but excluding references); Times New Roman (11-point or larger) is recommended, though other options like Arial or Courier New are available for 10-point or larger; 1” margins all round; single spaced.

The structure and length of a scientific proposal can vary based on institutional or funding body requirements. However, a typical proposal follows the general format below.  While this is a general outline, please consult your PI for specific guidelines and expectations.

1. Title Page

• Title of the research project
• Name(s) of the researcher(s)
• Institutional affiliation
• Date of submission

2. Abstract

• A concise summary of the research problem, objectives, methods, and expected outcomes.

3. Introduction

• Put the research in the context of existing literature.
• Background information on the research topic.
• Statement of the research problem.
• Objectives and research questions.
• Hypothesis (if applicable).
• Significance and potential impact of the study.
• Identification of gaps in current knowledge.
• Explanation of how the proposed research will address these gaps or expand upon what is currently known.

4. Methodology

• Detailed explanation of research design and approach.
• Description of data collection methods (experiments, surveys, simulations, etc.).
• Data analysis techniques.
• Timeline for project completion.
• Ethical considerations, if applicable.

5. Expected Results and Discussion

• Anticipated findings based on the proposed methodology.
• Possible experimental failures and plans to overcome them.
• Discussion of potential implications and applications.

6. References

• Properly formatted citations of all sources referenced in the proposal.