The candidacy examination is normally held within the first 18 months of a student entering graduate studies at UBC. For students advanced to the PhD program from a masters program this time may be extended.

The Examination Committee will comprise the supervisor, at least 2 people from the Supervisory Committee, at least one person not on the Supervisory Committee, and a Chair of the Examination. The Chair is any one of the EOS Graduate Examiners identified for this role and cannot be a member of the Supervisory Committee.

The Examination Committee must be set at least three weeks prior to the exam. The candidate has the right to request the examination is not held until at least three months after the Committee has been identified. This option is intended to allow the candidate time to prepare for the examination but need not be exercised.

It is the candidate's responsibility to contact members of the Examination Committee to ascertain the breadth of material to be examined (e.g. defined by textbooks or reading list or course work).

The candidacy examination comprises:

1. Preparation of a written thesis proposal (< 30 pages) which must be distributed to the Examination Committee 2 full weeks prior to the examination date. The purpose is to focus the oral examination of the candidate.
2. An oral presentation of the PhD research plan (preferably 20 minutes and not to exceed 30 minutes).
3. Open questioning of the candidate by the Examination Committee to ascertain the readiness of the candidate to carry out the proposed research.

The results of the candidacy examination will fall into one of four categories:

1. a clear pass
2. pass with conditions
3. failure with the option to retake the examination once, within 6 mos.
4. failure and dismissal.

The Graduate Examiner will submit a brief written Report on the Examination to the Graduate Secretary with copies to the members of the Examination Committee.