Underlying Philosophy

To be successful in independent research, a student must begin by mastering the fundamentals of his/her field and, further, be able to apply these fundamentals to new situations. Because science is continually evolving, mastering the fundamentals involves an expert knowledge that is gained from books and classes, but also from recent publications and seminars. Furthermore, it is essential that the knowledge be not just factual recall, but of a usable and critical nature.

With these principles in mind, the cumulative exams (known as "cumes") have the purposes of encouraging students, early in their graduate careers, to (1) have knowledge about and understand the significance of recent advances in chemistry, and (2) be able to critically apply fundamental chemical concepts to new and unusual observations.

Subject matter on an exam may, for example, include solving problems of an advanced nature or the critical evaluation of topics discussed in recent departmental seminars and selected research literature. Evaluation of an exam will be based on the correct application of fundamental concepts of these advanced topics. Because they provide a thorough evaluation of the student's knowledge of the fundamentals, the cumulative exams can serve a dual purpose of substituting for the written component of the preliminary examination required by the University. The cumulative examinations are given on a monthly basis from September through June, and students are required to pass five with no more than fifteen consecutive attempts.

Rules and Regulations

Cumulative exams are a method by which graduate students are evaluated on both general chemical knowledge and on critical thinking skills prior to the oral preliminary examination. The Office of Graduate Studies requires every doctoral candidate to pass a preliminary examination consisting of both written and oral parts. In the Department of Chemistry, a series of cumulative examinations can completely or partially satisfy the written requirement. Students must pass 5 cumulative examinations in 15 or fewer attempts prior to the end of their fourth long semester. Any student who does not pass the cumes within 15 attempts and wishes to continue as a Ph.D. student must complete the following steps within 3 months of not completing this requirement:

1. Request that his/her advisor convene the research committee to discuss the student's progress toward a degree.
2. If the committee does not certify adequate degree progress, the student will be removed from the program or will be asked to switch to a M.S. degree.
3. If the committee agrees that adequate degree progress is being made, they will prepare and administer a written qualifying exam that consists of at least one question from each committee member.
4. If the student passes the written qualifying exam, he/she will be allowed to remain in the Ph.D. program, and remedial classes may be recommended at this time.
5. The student will also be required to take a written preliminary exam, to which all members of the committee will normally contribute.

Cumulative exams will be given on the second Saturday of every month from 9 AM to 11 AM in room 2102, unless otherwise noted. A booklet containing the following five different exams will be distributed: analytical, biological, inorganic, physical, and organic. Nuclear cumulative exams are given at irregular intervals. Each student must choose one exam to take, but is not limited to his/her division's exam.   Exams will be graded on an A, B, C, F scale. An A or B are outright passes. A grade of C counts as a pass only it is offset by an A on a previous or subsequent exam, and an A can offset only one C.

The Graduate Student Office will be in charge of administering the exams. They will receive each exam from the faculty preparers and readers at least one week prior to the exam date so that they may copy the exam booklets. They will provide copies of the answer keys to be given out as students leave the exam. Graded exams will be returned to the GSO within 10 days after the exam is given. The Graduate Student Office will record the grades and distribute the original exams to the appropriate faculty advisor. Students may inspect and photocopy the graded exam, but the original must remain with the faculty advisor as part of the student's permanent file.

For more information, write the Graduate Student Advisor: gradmail@mail.chem.tamu.edu.