PhD Committee Policies + FAQ

Prelim Oral Exam and Final Oral Exam Committees

The doctoral preliminary and final oral examination committees must consist of at least four members, including the advisor(s). All members of the committees and the candidate must participate.

• ECE affiliate faculty can serve as either "inside" or "outside" committee members.

• If your advisor is an ECE affiliate faculty member, they must then be considered an "inside" member.

• You could have one affiliate faculty member serve as an "inside" member on your committee while a second affiliate faculty member could serve as an "outside" member on your committee.

• If you have a minor, the member of your committee from the minor can also meet the "outside" committee member requirement.

• At least three members (including the advisor) must be from your major field.

• At least one member must represent a field outside the major.

• If you have declared a minor, at least one member must represent the minor field.

• Members cannot satisfy the requirement with respect to more than one field.

The final oral examination committee is not required to include the same members who served on the prelim oral committee.