Other Requirements
Comprehensive Examination
The MS Comprehensive Exam is designed to assess a student’s ability to understand the intellectual and technical framework of a recently published scientific paper. Students are given a paper to read and are expected to apply knowledge gained through their coursework and laboratory training to interpret its results while answering questions from a faculty committee about the significance and technical merit of the study. For full‑time MS students, the Comprehensive Exam is typically taken at the end of the first year, between the conclusion of the spring semester and the start of the second year, allowing time to complete the coursework needed to understand the assigned paper. Part‑time MS students are eligible to take the Comprehensive Exam after completing the core MS requirements (BIOST 2041, IDM 2022 (one term), IDM 2024 , IDM 2103 , IDM 3440 ) and after giving a journal club presentation in IDM 2025 , which usually places the exam at the end of their second year.
Thesis
At the end of the MS program, students synthesize their research results in the MS thesis. Students form a committee of at least two IDM faculty members and one non‑IDM faculty member who can provide advice on the direction of their research project. The student presents their thesis proposal to the committee for input on their specific aims and overall research plan. After giving a departmental research‑in‑progress talk, the student can ask their committee for approval to begin writing the thesis. The student then works with their advisor to prepare a document that comprehensively details the hypothesis and specific aims that drive their research, and their results and interpretation. The student’s thesis cohesively describes their work and situates it within a broader public health research priority. Upon completion, the student gives an oral presentation of their thesis research to their committee, peers, and the department in a public venue, followed by a closed session with committee members. Successful defense of the thesis and submission to the school for inclusion in the Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETD) system are required for graduation.
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