Ph.D. in Data Science: Qualifying Exam Guideline

The qualifying exam is a key milestone in a PhD program. Its purpose is to assess whether a student has developed the knowledge, analytical skills, and research readiness needed to continue toward doctoral candidacy.

Timeline: Doctoral students are expected to take the qualifying exam at the start of the third semester after enrolling in the data science Ph.D. program. Students who fail the first attempt are permitted a second attempt in the following semester. Specifically, the first attempt must be completed by September 15th (Fall semester), and the second attempt, if needed, by February 15th (Spring semester). 

Students must fill out the Ph.D. qualifying exam request form and submit the signed form to the PhD program director by email before June 1st for approval. The form is available on the data science Ph.D. program website. 

Format: Students must write a research proposal that includes an introduction to the research problem and objectives, a literature review, research design, evaluation plan, and the discussion of potential research contributions and practical implications of the proposed research. The proposal needs to be submitted to the chair of the exam committee and PhD program director at least three weeks before the scheduled exam date, when students will orally defend the proposal to the qualifying exam committee. The committee will provide a Pass or Fail grade along with comments.

Students who fail the qualifying exam on the first attempt are either allowed to retake it in the following semester, or dismissed from the program otherwise. Failure to pass the qualifying examination in both attempts will result in the termination of the student’s enrollment in the DTSC Ph.D. program. 

The Composition of the Qualifying Exam Committee: 

  • Three School of Data Science (SDS) faculty members.
  • The student’s academic advisor/mentor can’t serve on the committee.
  • At least one member of the school’s Ph.D. curriculum committee.
  • At least one SDS core faculty.
  • All committee members must be tenure-track or tenured graduate faculty at UNC Charlotte.