Each student takes a comprehensive examination in the second semester of the senior year (usually just after spring break). During the pre-registration period preceding their final semester, each student determines in consultation with their track director the eleven courses in the major for which they are responsible on their comprehensive exam. The appropriate form is signed by the student, the track director, and the chair.
Usually the examination consists of two parts: 1) a very broad question answered by all students taking the examination; and 2) a set of questions broader than material in any one course from the student’s track from which the student usually answers two questions. The second part is written and graded by the program committee of each track.
One purpose of the Senior Seminar, commonly offered in the Fall semester, is to help majors begin preparing for the comprehensive examination.
