Option guidelines - Revision history

Murray: /* Preliminary Exam */

2015-10-03T03:23:58Z

Preliminary Exam

Murray: /* Transferring into CDS from Another Option */

2015-09-27T15:50:42Z

Transferring into CDS from Another Option

Murray: /* Exam Scheduling */

2015-01-03T17:37:39Z

Exam Scheduling

Murray: /* Format and Content of the Exam */

2015-01-03T17:36:57Z

Format and Content of the Exam

Murray: /* Preliminary Exam */

2014-09-18T03:46:45Z

Preliminary Exam

Murray at 03:41, 18 September 2014

2014-09-18T03:41:52Z

Murray at 03:40, 18 September 2014

2014-09-18T03:40:30Z

Murray at 15:17, 30 May 2013

2013-05-30T15:17:02Z

Slivings: correct two misprints.

2012-07-25T18:12:10Z

correct two misprints.

Murray: /* Procedures for scheduling and taking the exam */

2012-06-15T23:54:54Z

Procedures for scheduling and taking the exam

@@ Line 86: / Line 86: @@
 which is to examine expertise in mathematics, control, and dynamical
 systems.  The exam covers the material taught in the first and/or second terms of CDS
-classes (typically ACM 104, ACM 113, ACM/EE 116 or CDS 140, and CDS 110, 112 or 212).  Students may
+classes (typically ACM/CMSf 104 or 113; ACM/CMS 116 or CDS 140; and CDS 110, 112 or 212).  Students may
 petition the faculty to replace one of these areas with an outside
 area.  Petitions are due no later than the last day of classes of the

@@ Line 360: / Line 360: @@
 == Transferring into CDS from Another Option ==
-Students wishing to switch into CDS from another option must do so
+Students wishing to switch into CDS from another Caltech option must do so
 before the end of their second year of residence at Caltech.  Students
 must satisfy all option course requirements and must pass the
 candidacy exam in order to be officially admitted into the CDS
 Ph.D. program.  In addition, the student is expected to take the CDS
-qualifying exam no later than the first year of study after
+preliminary exam no later than the first year of study after
 transferring into the CDS option.
@@ Line 378: / Line 378: @@
 <li>Financial aid for transfer students will be described in the letter of admission.  Aid is not usually available until the beginning of the next academic year.</li>
 </ol>
 == The M.S. Program ==

@@ Line 212: / Line 212: @@
 The schedule for exams will be available by the beginning of the first week
 of classes in third term, and exams will normally be scheduled at the end of the first week or
-beginning of the third week of the term.  The results of the exam
+beginning of the second week of the term.  The results of the exam
 will be announced after all students have completed of the exam.  Upon
 recommendation of the examining committee, students who fail the exam
 will be given one additional opportunity to take the exam, typically
-at the beginning of spring term.
+at the beginning of summer term.
 == Procedures for Advancement to Candidacy ==

@@ Line 174: / Line 174: @@
 which is to examine expertise in mathematics, control and dynamical
 systems.  The exam covers the material taught in the first and second terms of CDS
-classes (typically ACM 104, ACM 113, ACM/EE 116 or CDS 140, and CDS 110, 112 or 212).  Students may
+classes (typically ACM/CMS 104, ACM/CMS 113, ACM/CMS/EE 116 or CDS 140, and CDS 110, 112 or 212).  Students much choose one course in each of the following three areas:
-petition the faculty to replace one of these areas with an outside
+* Math: ACM/CMS 104 or ACM/CMS 113
-area.  Petitions are due no later than the last day of classes of the
+* Controls: CDS 110, CDS 112 or CDS 212
 term preceding the exam.

@@ Line 94: / Line 94: @@
 once in the spring term, but this will occur only upon recommendation of the examination committee.
-The format of the oral qualifying exam is described in the [[#CDS Qualifying Exam Procedures|qualifying exam section]] below.
+The format of the preliminary exam is described in the [[#CDS Preliminary Exam Procedures|qualifying exam section]] below.
 === Research Advisor ===

@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 study in CDS is the following:
 * Year One
-** Complete CDS required courses + focus requirement (27 units total)
+** Complete CDS required courses
 ** Take and pass the CDS Preliminary Exam
 ** Find a research advisor
 * Years Two and Three
 ** Complete additional coursework in CDS (45 units total)
 ** Take and pass the CDS Candidacy Exam
 ** Advance to Candidacy for the Ph.D.

@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 There are three examinations which are required to obtain a Ph.D. in
-CDS.  The first is the <i>Qualifying Exam</i>, given in the first year
+CDS.  The first is the <i>Preliminary Exam</i>, given in the first year
 of study and intended to evaluate the student's expertise in
 mathematics, control, and dynamical systems.  This exam is
-administered at the beginning of the second term and may be retaken in
+administered at the beginning of the third term and may be retaken at the beginning of summer, if necessary.  The <i>Candidacy Exam</i> is taken no later than the third year and is used to evaluate a student's research abilities.
 Upon passing this exam, the student is admitted to candidacy, the
 first step in obtaining a PhD.  The final exam is the <i>Ph.D.
@@ Line 20: / Line 18: @@
 study in CDS is the following:
 * Year One
-** Complete CDS required courses + focus requirement
+** Complete CDS required courses + focus requirement (27 units total)
-** Take and pass the CDS Qualifying Exam
+** Take and pass the CDS Preliminary Exam
 ** Find a research advisor
-* Year Two
+* Years Two and Three
 ** Complete additional coursework in CDS (45 units total)
 ** Take and pass the CDS Candidacy Exam
@@ Line 71: / Line 69: @@
 The following course requirements must be satisfied in order to obtain
 a Ph.D.  in Control and Dynamical Systems:
-* Complete the focus requirement, consisting of at least 27 units in a particular area outside of CDS. Courses taken to satisfy the focus must represent a coherent program of advanced study in the chosen area. Possible areas include computer science, fluid mechanics, robotics, networking, biology, economics, information theory, circuit theory or other similar areas.  The program of study must be approved by the option representative on behalf of the CDS faculty.
+# Complete the following courses: ACM/CMS 104, ACM/CMS 113, ACM/CMS 116, CDS 140 and CDS 212.
+# Complete an additional 45 units in CDS or other advanced courses in systems theory, dynamical systems, and/or applied mathematics.
-* Complete an additional 45 units in CDS or other advanced courses in dynamical systems and/or mathematics;
+# Complete the focus requirement, consisting of at least 27 units in a particular area outside of CDS. Courses taken to satisfy the focus must represent a coherent program of advanced study in the chosen area. Possible areas include biological systems, computer science, environmental science, fluid dynamics, information and communications, networking, robotics, and space systems. The program of study must be approved by the student’s counseling committee and the option representative.
 The student's counseling committee will be the judge of the completion of
 the focus requirement, necessary before the candidacy examination.
-=== Oral Qualifying Exam ===
+=== Preliminary Exam ===
-Each student is required to take a subject oral qualifying examination
+Each student is required to take a preliminary examination
-at the beginning of the second quarter in residence, the purpose of
+at the beginning of the third quarter in residence, the purpose of
 which is to examine expertise in mathematics, control, and dynamical
-systems.  The exam covers the material taught in the first term of CDS
+systems.  The exam covers the material taught in the first and/or second terms of CDS
-classes (typically ACM/EE 116, CDS 201 and CDS 110a/212).  Students may
+classes (typically ACM 104, ACM 113, ACM/EE 116 or CDS 140, and CDS 110, 112 or 212).  Students may
 petition the faculty to replace one of these areas with an outside
 area.  Petitions are due no later than the last day of classes of the
@@ Line 166: / Line 165: @@
 detail.
-== CDS Qualifying Exam Procedures ==
+== CDS Preliminary Exam Procedures ==
 === Format and Content of the Exam ===
 Each student is required to take a subject oral qualifying examination
-at the beginning of the second quarter in residence, the purpose of
+at the beginning of the third quarter in residence, the purpose of
 which is to examine expertise in mathematics, control and dynamical
-systems.  The exam covers the material taught in the first term of CDS
+systems.  The exam covers the material taught in the first and second terms of CDS
-classes (typically ACM/EE 116, CDS 201 and CDS 110/212).  Students may
+classes (typically ACM 104, ACM 113, ACM/EE 116 or CDS 140, and CDS 110, 112 or 212).  Students may
 petition the faculty to replace one of these areas with an outside
 area.  Petitions are due no later than the last day of classes of the
@@ Line 198: / Line 197: @@
 === Exam Scheduling ===
-The Qualifying Exam will take place at the beginning of the second
+The Preliminary Exam will take place at the beginning of the third
 term in residence.  All first-year CDS students will receive a
-scheduling form at the end of first term, which must be filled out and
+scheduling form at the end of second term, which must be filled out and
-returned to the Option Administrator no later than the end of first term
+returned to the Option Administrator no later than the end of second term
 (i.e., the last day of finals).  Petitions to replace one of the
 standard subject areas with an outside subject area must be submitted
-no later than the last day of classes of first term.
+no later than the last day of classes of second term.
 The schedule for exams will be available by the beginning of the first week
-of classes in second term, and exams will normally be scheduled at the end of the first week or
+of classes in third term, and exams will normally be scheduled at the end of the first week or
-beginning of the second week of the term.  The results of the exam
+beginning of the third week of the term.  The results of the exam
 will be announced after all students have completed of the exam.  Upon
 recommendation of the examining committee, students who fail the exam
@@ Line 220: / Line 219: @@
 To be recommended for candidacy for the doctorate degree, the
 applicant, in addition to demonstrating understanding and knowledge of
-fundamentals at the first-year Qualifying Examination, must give
+fundamentals at the first-year Preliminary Examination, must give
 satisfactory evidence of ability to carry out research in his or her
 primary field of interest.  Hence, the applicant must submit and have
 approved a written Research Progress Report.  In most cases, approval
 of the written report will be based on a satisfactory oral defense of
-its contents.  CDS students are expected to take and complete the Candidacy Examination by the end of their second academic year at Caltech.
+its contents.  CDS students are expected to take and complete the Candidacy Examination no later than the end of their third academic year at Caltech.
 A student who fails to satisfy the requirements of the
 Division for candidacy by the end of the third term of the third year

@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 Upon passing this exam, the student is admitted to candidacy, the
 first step in obtaining a PhD.  The final exam is the <i>Ph.D.
-examination</i> (or thesis defense) and is given after complication of
+examination</i> (or thesis defense) and is given after completion of
 the Ph.D. dissertation.
@@ Line 77: / Line 77: @@
 * Complete an additional 45 units in CDS or other advanced courses in dynamical systems and/or mathematics;
-The student's counseling committee committee will be the judge of the completion of
+The student's counseling committee will be the judge of the completion of
 the focus requirement, necessary before the candidacy examination.

@@ Line 251: / Line 251: @@
 <li>Prepare four copies of your Research Progress Report and deliver a
-copy to each of your committee members no later than {\em two weeks} prior
+copy to each of your committee members no later than ''two weeks'' prior
 to your examination.