1. Written Preliminary Exam Workshop
Tuesday, Sept. 13th, 2016

2. What is the WPE?
The written preliminary examination in chemistry is in the form of a research dossier, which is written and prepared by the candidate in consultation (as defined in section D) with her or his research advisor(s). The purpose of the research dossier is to demonstrate that the candidate has attained a good understanding of the thesis project including the fundamental background and current literature. In view of the unpredictable nature of research, it is understood that specific projects described in this preliminary research dossier may well differ from those actually reported in the student’s Ph.D. thesis.
Graduate Student Handbook (pg. 16)

3. General Format Upper Limit = 40 pages* Not included in 40 page limit
12 pt. font, 1” margins, double-spaced
Includes embedded figures and tables
Not included in 40 page limit
Abstract (<300 words)
Table of contents
List of abbreviations
Exhaustive references (titles and pagination included)
Cover page should include names of committee members (chair underlined) and due date
Check with committee members about whether they would prefer a print or PDF copy (or both)
*ask small groups about any page numbering specifications

4. What to Include? Specific Objective Literature Assessment
Motivation
Potential impact
Literature Assessment
Thesis Research Plan
Synthesis/characterization/computational methods to be developed/employed
Discussion of existing problems
How direction of subsequent research may be influenced
Research Progress to Date
*Should all be discussed in balanced fashion…

5. Timeline 10/10 WPE Due Sept. Oct. Nov. 9/19 External Committee Member,
8/15 Abstract Due
8/22 Committee Assigned….?
9/13 WPE Workshop
9/19 External Committee Member,
Ph.D./M.S. Forms Due
10/10 WPE Due
10/24 Outcome of Initial Submission
11/14 Revisions Due
11/28 Outcome
of Revisions

6. Possible Outcomes Initial Submission Pass Pass with Reservation*
Not Acceptable, Major Revisions
Fail (no resubmission allowed)
Revised Submission
Pass
Pass with Reservation*
Fail
* Reservations may be addressed in a shorter timeframe than the scheduled 3 week period, continue oral exam scheduling

7. Advice from WPE Survivors
Comprehensive literature search
Clear and logical outline to frame your project (organization)
Talk to upper level grad students about depth needed in each section
Ask for help early and often (before you really need it)
Be careful of what you write – make sure things are correct (watch out for jargon with various meanings)
Leave a lot of time for references and figure making – USE A REFERENCE MANAGER
Proofread!
Do not “recycle” parts of WPE’s from senior members of your group
CHRISTIAN starts
Anything you include is fair game!

8. gswc.chem.umn.edu/workshops
More Advice….
Select faculty made suggestions (2012) based on common mistakes
gswc.chem.umn.edu/workshops

9. Software Options Plotting **Others available through group license
Literature
Searching
Reference
Management
Plotting
Figure
Preparation
**Others available through group license

10. What Makes a Good Figure?
Effective Scientific Illustrations
Summarize Your Work in 100 Milliseconds or Less…
Graphs, Tables, and Figures in Scientific Publications: The Good, the Bad, and How Not to Be the Latter
A Brief Guide to Designing Effective Figures for the Scientific Paper