Qualifying Exams
This site is always under construction.
Please email your constructive suggestions to the Exam Committee Chair.
Exam Policy
To qualify for a Ph.D, a student must pass an exam in each core subject:
- classical mechanics
- electromagnetism
- quantum mechanics
- statistical mechanics
The purpose of qualifying exams is to ensure that the Ph.D. candidates:
- Meet the minimum standards of knowledge recognized by a physics Ph.D.
- Possess the independent analytical thinking skill needed for successful thesis research
Format
- Each subject exam is a written exam, three hours long
- Open book policy: one textbook of student's choice is allowed
- A simple or scientific calculator may be needed
- Separate custom notes, smart-phones and computers are not allowed
- Students provide their own paper and binding
Clarifications:
- It is the responsibility of each student to prepare for the exams irrespective of prior experience
in the exam subjects. Students should expect to need additional preparation beyond that required for the
homework and exams in the corresponding courses.
- A qualifying exam passed in the first attempt waives the requirement to take the corresponding
graduate course (the opposite does not apply).
Exam Administration:
- Exams are offerred twice a year, in the last week of summer/winter break
- Students must register for exams by emailing the Exam Committee Chair at least one week in advance. Please include your name, G#, and specify which exams you intend to take.
- Students may take any combination of exams at a time
- Students can retake any exam any number of times prior to the start of their fourth year
- In case of a time conflict, a student may request to take an exam at the time of another scheduled
exam in the same week. Permission of the Exam Committee Chair is required. Other ad-hoc exam times
cannot be arranged, regardless of reason.
Exam Preparation, Proctoring and Grading:
- Preparer and grader names are posted here
- Every effort will be made to grade the exams in about two weeks
- Students will be informed by email of their scores and pass/fail outcome
- Exam solutions will not be provided. Past exams can be found here
Review and Complaints
- After the grades are reported, students (and their mentors) may review exams and solutions in
the Physics Office (Planetary Hall #203, ask Brooke Vaughn). Making copies of exams or solutions is not allowed.
- If a student believes the grade is not accurate, they may complain. The student must first contact the grader and
request a meeting to discuss the grade. If no resolution is reached, the student may submit a formal request to the
Exam Committee Chair for an independent review - the Committee will meet to discuss the grade and make the
final joint decision.
Exam Schedule (January 2024)
Exam venue:
The exams will take place on campus. All standard rules for taking qualifying exams will apply (outlined above). The exam locations and times are listed below.
Classical Mechanics:
- Tuesday, January 9, 2024 ⚫ 9:00 am - noon
- location will be emailed to registered candidates
Electromagnetism:
- Tuesday, January 9, 2024 ⚫ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
- location will be emailed to registered candidates
Quantum Mechanics:
- Wednesday, January 10, 2024 ⚫ 9:00 am - noon
- location will be emailed to registered candidates
Statistical Mechanics:
- Wednesday, January 10, 2024 ⚫ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
- location will be emailed to registered candidates
Study Guide
Exam Style
- The exams emphasize problem-solving skills and analytical thinking. Students should expect to see original problems that require advanced knowledge in subject areas posted below. Beyond that, basic physics knowledge across subjects is needed in all exams. Given the exam emphasis and open-book policy, the listed areas aim to closely approximate, not exhaust, the scope of the exams.
- Problems from the past qualifying exams, and listed or similar textbooks, are the best material for practice.
Exam Topics
Qualifying Exam Committee
Committee Members:
Exam Preparers (January 2024)
- Classical mechanics: Erdal Yigit
- Electrodynamics: Yuri Mishin
- Statistical mechanics: Predrag Nikolic
- Quantum mechanics: Predrag Nikolic
Graders (January 2024)
- Classical mechanics: Erdal Yigit
- Electrodynamics: Hongwei Sheng
- Statistical mechanics: Yuri Mishin
- Quantum mechanics: Predrag Nikolic
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