Evaluation
There are three possible outcomes for the exam: (1) Pass with permission to start thesis research, (2) Conditional pass, in which a restricted deficiency is uncovered, correction of which will, considering the exam overall, provide a valuable learning experience for the student, or (3) Failure. Any of these three decisions requires the approval of a majority of the Committee (i.e. three out of the five members). The student must obtain the appropriate signatures and inform their advisor and the Graduate Secretary of the outcome of the exam.
The student should meet again with their Committee within 4-6 months after passing their exam to discuss their Ph.D. thesis research proposal (see below).
Students who receive a conditional pass meet with their committee immediately after the oral exam to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of their presentation. It is critical that the student understands what they did that was good, and what deficiencies need to be addressed before they can be given a passing grade. The student should immediately arrange for a time within the next 2-4 weeks to meet with the committee to complete the exam. The exact time frame can be decided by the committee in consultation with the student, but is not to exceed 4 weeks. Upon meeting the second time, the committee will vote for either a pass or a fail. A conditional pass cannot be given a second time. The student may not appeal a failing grade and may either leave the Ph.D. program or obtain a Master's degree.
Students not performing to the satisfaction of the Prelim Committee will fail the exam. Under these circumstances the student has the option to retake the exam, meeting again with their committee 1-4 months after the initial oral exam. However, the University of Utah Graduate School rules state: "An examination or parts of an examination may be repeated only once and only at the discretion of the student's supervisory committee". As such, in cases of extreme deficiencies, the option of retaking the exam will not be offered. Once the student has attempted to meet their deficiencies, the Committee will meet again and vote to decide whether the student passes or fails the preliminary examination. If a student fails the second attempt at the preliminary exam they can either leave the Ph.D. program or obtain a Master's degree.