Biomathematics: The Student's Committee and Exam Requirements

A student's committee or thesis committee is responsible for evaluating his or her progress towards their intended degree.

The committee is typically convened towards the end of the student's first year in the program, and should certainly be in place by the middle of their second year.

The committee chair (or co-chair in the case of BMA co-majors) must be a member of the biomath faculty. (Remember that this includes associate faculty.)

There are typically three members on a Masters committee, four on a Ph.D. committee. There are additional rules for the committee of a co-major (see co-majors page).

The committee is responsible for setting the BMA preliminary written examination. This exam is designed to test the breadth of the student's knowledge across the courses they have taken. Typically, each committee member will set one question.

The committee also evaluates the thesis or (in the case of MBMA students) the project defense. This involves a presentation of the work that was undertaken, followed by questions that usually focus on the work presented (although more general questions, such as relating the work to course material, or to broader questions in biomath, may also be asked). The presentation part of the defense is usually public: other students and faculty members may choose to attend.

Any questions regarding the formation and composition of committees, the assessment or examination processes should be discussed with the Director of the Biomath program.

Biomathematics Graduate Program, North Carolina State University Box 8203, Raleigh, NC 27695-8203 Phone: (919) 515-1912, Fax: (919) 515-1909

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