The comprehensive exam covers graduate-level material relevant to the student’s concentration. Students must complete the Comprehensive Examination after successful completion of the Qualifying Examination, and after the majority of the PhD course credits have been completed. Graduate School requirements state that this examination may not be taken until the student has completed at least one and one-half years, or the equivalent, of graduate study. The format of the comprehensive examination is left largely to the discretion of the student’s advisory committee, but will always include an oral examination open to all ECE faculty and any other participants approved by the student’s committee. The comprehensive exam will typically also include a written portion, comprised of a research proposal outlining the PhD research to be undertaken by the student. The proposal is reviewed by the student’s Advisory Committee prior to the oral exam. The advisory committee may also request that the student formally present the proposed research at the beginning of the oral comprehensive exam. The comprehensive exam date, time and location must be announced to the entire ECE faculty at least five days in advance. Following the successful completion of the Comprehensive Examination, the student is admitted to candidacy. To remain in the program a student must attain candidacy status within four years of registration. All work for the doctoral degree must be completed within four years after admission to candidacy.