In Fall semester 2000, the Exercise Science Program faculty initiated the following written and oral comprehensive examination process for the Masters degree with an emphasis in Exercise Science. This document outlines the procedures and criteria for these examinations.

Written Examination
General Procedures. The written examination will be given once each semester (Fall and Spring) during the 9th week of the semester. All students who intend to graduate must notify their adviser at the beginning of the semester that they intend to graduate. Each student must pass the written portion of the comprehensive examination prior to taking the oral portion of this examination.

Description. The written portion of the examination consists of 100-multiple choice items. Students will be given 3 hours to complete the exam. The areas covered in this examination with their respective weightings are as follows:
• Exercise Physiology (PEP 426) 25%
• Physiological Assessment (PEP 470, PEP 530, PEP 532) 15%
• Exercise Programming and Prescription (PEP 470) 15%
• Exercise, Health and Disease (PEP 426, PEP 470) 10%
• Clinical Applications (PEP 426, PEP 475, PEP 476) 10%
• Nutrition and Exercise (PEP 426, PEP 470) 10%
• Research Design and Statistics (PEP 507, Ed Psy 603) 10%
• Kinesiological Analysis of Exercise/Biomechanics (undergraduate prereq) 5%

Evaluation Criteria. The student must score 80 or more for a passing grade and 90 or more for a "pass with distinction". Students who do not make a passing grade will be allowed to take the written examination a second time during the next semester that the exam is scheduled. Students who pass the written portion of the exam must then successfully complete the oral portion of the examination in order to meet the requirements for the M. S. degree. In order to achieve "distinction" status, the student must meet the distinction criteria for both the written and oral portions of the comprehensive examination.

Oral Examination
The oral examination consists of a 30-minute multimedia presentation of research related to a specific topic of interest to the student from the areas of either exercise science, exercise physiology, or clinical exercise physiology. The topic must first be approved by your adviser (student meets with adviser two days following written examination to select topic). The adviser will then contact each member of the student's masters committee on studies to refine and finalize the research topic. Once the topic is approved by the committee, the student will be given 2 weeks to research and prepare the presentation.

Presentation Format. The student prepares a 30-minute multimedia presentation that reviews the research dealing with the topic. Research should be cited throughout the presentation. At the conclusion of the presentation, there will be time (10-20 minutes) for questions and answers. The presentation format should include:
• Introduction
• Statement of the topic or research question
• State-of-the-art review of the literature
• Conclusions
• Practical and/or clinical applications
• Recommendatins for future research

Presentation Materials. On the day of the presentation, the student will provide each committee member with an abstract (300-word limit, 12-point font, double-spaced) of the presentation. A reference list will also be distributed (use APA style).

Evaluation Criteria. Each committee member will rate the student's presentation using a 5-point Likert scale for each item listed below (see attached rating scale). The student must receive an overall average score of 3.0 or better to pass. Distinction will be awarded to those students scoring 90 or better on the written portion of the exam and an overall average score of 4.5 on the oral portion of the exam.
• Content - depth/breadth of knowledge; relevant and scientifically accurate information
• Interpretation - a valid interpretation of study results and valid conclusions and practical/clinical applications
• Synthesis/Integration of material - identification of commonalities and differences among studies
• Organization - logical, systematic approach to organization of materials presented
• Question/Answers - ability to answer questions directly and correctly
• References - pertinent and most significant research articles from high-quality, scientific journals
• Delivery - use of technology and quality of visuals
• Presentation Skills - speaking ability, vocal tone, eye contact, voice inflection, etc.
• Professional Demeanor - professional presence, maturity, confidence, and openmindedness

If the student does not pass (average overall score 3.0) the oral portion of the exam, the committee on studies will meet with the student and recommend remedial steps to be taken by the student. A 2nd oral presentation will be scheduled after the student successfully completes these recommendations.