Oral Examinations for Masters Degree

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the oral examination requirement for a non-thesis Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering. Participants confirm that the exam is conducted by a committee of at least two faculty members and is based on the student's area of specialization. Questions are primarily theoretical and can vary widely, often reflecting the committee's discretion. The institution also offers a PhD program, but the comprehensive exam for the Master's and the qualifying exam for the PhD are separate entities.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Aerospace Engineering principles
  • Familiarity with oral examination formats
  • Knowledge of graduate program structures
  • Experience with academic committee dynamics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the specific oral examination formats in graduate programs
  • Explore the differences between thesis and non-thesis Master's programs
  • Investigate the structure and content of PhD qualifying exams
  • Learn about effective strategies for preparing for oral examinations
USEFUL FOR

Graduate students in Aerospace Engineering, academic advisors, and prospective students considering non-thesis Master's programs who seek insights into oral examination processes.

Freyster98
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I'm looking into programs for my Master's in Aerospace Engineering, and have noticed that I could do a non-thesis program where I would need to pass an oral examination. Has anyone done this option, and if so, what type of questions are asked? I would guess they would need to be theory based as opposed to problem-solving?
 
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Does this school offer a PhD degree? It's not uncommon for schools that offer a PhD to use their PhD qualifying exam (with orals) as their MS comprehensive exam. If so, the questions are taken from "whatever comes into the committee's heads". It can be a very stressful experience.
 
Yes, they do offer a PhD, but based off the info about their PhD program, they are separate exams.

From their website...

"The comprehensive exam for the All-Course option is an oral exam in the area of the student's specialization conducted by a committee of at least two faculty members of the department. Upon approval from the Director of Graduate Studies the student forms the examination committee, and arranges for notice of the exam to be sent to all faculty members of the department at least one week in advance. Any faculty member may attend the exam. The result of the exam is to be communicated by the examination committee to the Director of Graduate Studies.
 

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