Comprehensive Exam Variations and Experiences of Doctoral Candidates in Engineering
- Conference
- Location
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Tampa, Florida
- Publication Date
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June 15, 2019
- Start Date
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June 15, 2019
- End Date
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June 19, 2019
- Conference Session
- Tagged Division
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Student
- Page Count
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6
- DOI
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10.18260/1-2--32530
- Permanent URL
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https://peer.asee.org/32530
- Download Count
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435
Paper Authors
Bahar Memarian University of Toronto
Bahar Memarian is a PhD candidate in Industrial Engineering and the Collaborative Specialization in Engineering Education at University of Toronto, Canada. Her primary research interests are in Human Factors and Systems Engineering, specifically their application in Education (e.g. learning outcomes assessment, engineering problem solving). Before that, she completed her MASc. (2015) and BASc. (2012) in Electrical Engineering from University of Toronto.
Sasha Gollish University of Toronto
Sasha is a PhD Candidate in Engineering Education in the University of Toronto's Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering Institute for Studies in Transdisciplinary Engineering Education and Practice focusing on the connection of mathematics to engineering. She is also a registered and practicing professional engineer.
Kimia Moozeh University of Toronto
Kimia Moozeh is a PhD Candidate, graduate research and teaching assistant in Engineering Education at the University of Toronto. She received her Hon. B.Sc. in 2013, and her Master’s degree in Chemistry in 2014. Her dissertation explores improving the learning outcomes of undergraduate engineering laboratories by bridging the learning from a larger context to the underlying fundamentals, using digital learning objects.
Darlee Gerrard University of Toronto
Darlee Gerrard is a Ph.D. candidate in Engineering Education at the University of Toronto. She received her Hon. B.Sc. from the University of Toronto, B.Ed. from Brock University, and Masters degree from Memorial University. She coordinates leadership and community outreach programs in the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering at the University of Toronto. Her research interests include STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education, co-curricular and experiential learning, and the equity and accessibility of education.
Deborah Tihanyi University of Toronto
Deborah Tihanyi is an Associate Professor, Teaching Stream, Director of the Engineering Communication Program (ECP), and Associate Director of the Institute for Studies in Transdisciplinary Engineering Education (ISTEP) at the University of Toronto.
Stacy A. Costa University of Toronto
Stacy A.Costa is a Doctoral student at the University of Toronto, (OISE) studying curriculum, teaching, and learning and in the collaborative program of engineering education. Her research focuses on student’s Knowledge Building, and creative problem solving through STEM subjects.
Abstract
Our goal in this work in progress paper is to examine self-reported experiences of engineering doctoral candidates (n=35) regarding the comprehensive exam. Data was collected from candidates at a large research intensive North American University through an online survey distributed across 7 engineering departments. The descriptive summaries from participants collected reveals that the highs and lows of experiences of doctoral candidates are variable and inconsistent. Ultimately, the goal of this study is to examine if departmental and exam method variations in engineering yield to significant differences in the experiences of doctoral candidates. The next steps include collecting a larger data set from one or potentially multiple North American universities and carrying out statistical, rather than descriptive analysis. This analysis can help in understanding why institutions necessitate administrating diverse formats of doctoral exams, how students perceive it, and if certain formats are found to be more beneficial for the students.
Memarian, B., & Gollish, S., & Moozeh, K., & Gerrard, D., & Tihanyi, D., & Costa, S. A. (2019, June), Comprehensive Exam Variations and Experiences of Doctoral Candidates in Engineering Paper presented at 2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition , Tampa, Florida. 10.18260/1-2--32530
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