Written Comprehensive Exam Instruction
(Revised February 2025)

ETAMU Rules and Procedures for Examinations for Graduate Degrees: Examinations for Graduate Degrees

Overview:

The Comprehensive Exam is designed to measure skills and mastery of concepts learned throughout the MS-CSCI degree path. All students are required to take and pass the comprehensive exam before they graduate. The Comprehensive Exam is given during Fall and Spring semesters only. Exam dates and times are posted on the Computer Science Department Announcements. Students are required to register in advance, so that adequate space is reserved for the student.

Thesis-option students should coordinate their exam with their thesis advisor and the department head. The thesis advisor should plan and prepare for the exam with committee members and/or other faculty members in the department. The Comprehensive Exam can be administered on the thesis defense date or any time after successful defense of the thesis. The result of the exam should be submitted to the department in writing for final approval.

Eligibility:

• In good academic standing (GPA >=3.0).
• Must be in the final semester.

Registration:

• To be eligible for the exam, and to receive the registration link, declare your intent to graduate by contacting the Graduate School at the start of the semester.

• Registration link: You will receive an email with the registration link from the Computer Science Department in mid-February(Spring semester) and September (fall semester).

• Registration Deadline:  First day of March (Spring semester) and October (Fall semester).

• Exam date:  Fourth Thursday of March (Spring semester) and October (Fall semester).

Exam Criteria:

• Computer Science (joined the program before Fall 2022): must attempt 5 out of 10 questions, one from each core course: CSCI 520, 530, 532, 540, 549.
• Computer Science (joined the program in Fall 2022 or after): must attempt 4 out of 8 questions, one from each core course: CSCI 520, 530, 532, 549.
• If a student attempts both questions for a subject, the lowest score will be counted towards the final score for the subject.

Exam Format:

• Computer Science department will announce whether the exam will be online or in-person during registration time.

Academic Dishonesty:

Any form of academic dishonesty will result in a failing grade on the exam and may lead to further disciplinary action by the university. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Collaboration: Collaborating with other students or individuals during the exam is strictly prohibited. This includes discussing exam questions, sharing answers, or providing assistance in any form.

• Plagiarism: Submitting work that is not your own. This includes copying code, text, or ideas from other sources without proper attribution. All sources must be properly cited if permitted.

• Impersonation: Having someone else take the exam on your behalf or taking the exam for someone else.

• Sharing Exam Content: Sharing the exam questions, answers, or any other related information with other students before, during, or after the exam.

• Using AI Tools: Utilizing AI tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, or similar for generating code, answers, or any part of the exam submission unless explicitly permitted by the instructor for specific tasks and with specific guidelines. Even if permitted for a specific task, all sources must be properly cited.

• Distributing Exam Materials: Sharing or distributing exam materials to others through any means, including but not limited to posting them online, emailing them, or sharing them in person.

Exam Result:

• The result will be announced via email two weeks after the exam.

For 2^nd & 3^rd attempt:

• 2^nd attempt: You will need to make appropriate arrangements if you want to make a second attempt in order to maintain your status and eligibility for the exam. Questions regarding foreign student status and requirements for remaining eligible for the program should be directed to the Foreign Students Services department and the Graduate School.  You will need to make sure that you can be available in person in the semester you choose to retake the exam and make your second attempt at fulfilling this requirement. You will be responsible for following all announcements and registering for the second exam.  As outlined in the university procedures, the second attempt at the comprehensive exam is not a right, but a privilege. Faculty can recommend or reject a second exam attempt, but in general, any student who follows procedures and correctly registers for a second exam attempt will be allowed to try to pass the requirement a second time. The registration page for the comprehensive exam is usually open in February for the spring semester and in September for fall. Please make sure that you pay attention to all department e-mail announcements and announcements on the department web page so that you register in a timely and correct manner.

•  3^rd attempt: Petition for 3^rd attempt [Click here]

List of advisors:

Last digit of CWID	Advisor
1,2	Dr. Yuehua Wang
3,4	Dr. Jinoh Kim
5,0	Dr. Kaoning Hu
6,7	Dr. Derek Harter
8,9	Dr. Omar El Ariss

Guidelines for the Comprehensive Exam:

The following guidelines are designed to help students for the exam preparation.

Note: The topics are the minimal requirements to prepare for the exam.

• Guidelines for 520
• Guidelines for 530
• Guidelines for 532
• Guidelines for 549
• Guidelines for 540
• Guidelines for 509

Note: Contact your course instructor (or the current-term instructors) if you have any question on the subjects and guidelines.