Qualifying Exam Preparation
The Qualifying Exam is the next big test following the Prelim. Unfortunately, students are not always guided through the process as we are for the Prelim. So BESA’s own Erica Andreozzi has prepared a short timeline to help you prepare for your Qualifying Exam:
Step 1. Start emailing QE committee members at least 2 months before your tentative QE date. Professors are usually pretty busy and it will probably require a bit of juggling to get them to all agree on a date and time.
At least 3 of the 5 QE members will need to BME graduate group faculty (list is on BME website: http://www.bme.ucdavis.edu/people/gradgroupfaculty.html).
Also, if you are a part of the designated emphasis in biotechnology (DEB), you will need at least one member who is considered a DEB faculty (list is on DEB website: http://www.deb.ucdavis.edu/DEBFaculty/bmefaculty.cfm)
Step 2. Start filling out the “Application for Qualifying Exam” form (http://gradstudies.ucdavis.edu/forms/GS319_QualifyingExamAppPhD.pdf). You will need to have your faculty track advisor (it’s now Dr. Passerini for Cell & Molecular) sign it, along with the DEB chair, Abhaya Dandekar (1059 Wickson Hall), if you are a DEB student.
Also, if one of your QE members is not UCD Senate Faculty, you will need to fill out the external committee member form (http://gradstudies.ucdavis.edu/forms/extcttee.pdf). Once you complete this form, you will need to attach the QE member’s CV to it, and have your faculty track advisory sign it.
Lastly, you will need to pick a QE committee chair from your 5 QE members. This person NEEDS to be a BME graduate group faculty member. You should email this person beforehand and ask their permission, especially since the QE chair position does involve extra responsibilities.
Try and turn this form into grad studies at least one month before your QE. If not, don’t panic, it just will require extra effort on your part to ensure that it is filed by grad studies in time for your actual QE.
Step 3. Start writing your QE proposal at least one month before your QE. It is suggested that the proposal adhere to the format of an R21 NIH grant. You want to be able to have enough time for multiple people to help you read and edit this. The final proposal should be emailed to your 5 committee members at least 2 weeks prior to your QE. This ensures that they have enough time to thoroughly read your proposal and email you back with any questions or comments.
You should LEARN ENDNOTE if you don’t already know how to use it. I used to be opposed to learning it at first, but having about 120 references in my proposal, I would have NEVER been able to get through my proposal edits without having learned it, so don’t be stubborn like I was! I think there are a few EndNote training sessions offered through grad studies, so keep your eyes peeled for when they come up (especially during graduate student orientation week).
Step 4. After submitting your QE proposal, start preparing your QE powerpoint presention. While the format DOES depend on your QE committee chair, it is typically a 45 minute talk that pretty much follows the format of your QE proposal.
Schedule a few practice talks (~2 with your lab and 1 with your BME peers) within a week or so before your QE. I found the small group of BME peers who came to my practice talk extremely helpful and cannot thank them enough for their advice and support. Plus, it’s just a really nice feeling to know that you are supported by your BME peers- we’re all in this together! 
Also, in the window of time that you have between submitting your QE proposal and your actual QE date, I would suggest meeting with all of your members just to get a feel for their background and for the specific questions that they may ask.
Step 5. ROCK THAT QE!!! This your time to prove yourself and to finally show others how much of your heart and soul you’ve been pouring into your work. Most importantly, enjoy yourself, be ENTHUSIASTIC, and HAVE CONFIDENCE…It’s going to be really satisfying to see how excited others are by your research.
