Exam Format

• Each part of the exam has nine problems. 
• You are required to do six problems.  Do not do more than six.  Only the first six problems that are turned in will be graded.
• The Classical exam will have
• 3-4 problems from classical mechanics (Part A)
• 3-4 problems from E&M (Part B)
• 2 problems from thermodynamics/statistical physics (Part C)
• You must do at least two from Parts A&B and at least one from Part C.
• There will be one required problem from Parts A&B on each exam.
• The Modern exam will have
• 4-5 problems from special relativity and/or modern physics (Part A)
• 4-5 problems from quantum mechanics (Part B)
• You must do at least two from each section.
• There will be one required problem from Parts A&B on each exam.
• You will have four hours to do each part of the exam.

Study Suggestions

• Do lots of practice problems. 
• Start with the old qualifiers. Here are links to them
• faculty.fiu.edu/~baraue/Modern.pdf
• faculty.fiu.edu/~baraue/Classical.pdf
•  Homework problems from the courses listed below.  Focus on the undergrad-level problems and the easier graduate-level problems. Basically, the problems that can be done in 30-40 minutes.
• If you want even more problems, just do a Google search on "qualifying exams physics" and you will get tons of links to exams.  Many are similar to ours.
• We DON'T recommend front-to-back reading of textbooks.  Use the suggested references if you have trouble with a certain type of problem.
• Work with your colleagues.
• Do timed practice runs through the old exams.  You need to learn how to pace yourself.  Do the easier problems first before coming back to the harder problems.
• If you need help with a particular topic or problem after using the suggested references, talk to professor who teaches that topic.

Suggested References

• Classical Mechanics
• Undergraduate
• Classical Mechanics, Kibble and Berkshire, 5th ed.
• Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems, Thornton and Marion, 5th ed.
• Graduate
• Classical Mechanics, Goldstein, Poole, and Safko, 3rd ed.
• Electricity and Magnetism
• Undergraduate    
• Electromagnetism, Pollack & Stump, 2nd ed.,
• Introduction to Electrodynamics, Griffiths, 3rd ed.
• Graduate    
• Classical Electrodynamics, Jackson, 3rd ed.
• Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics
• Undergraduate   
• An introduction to Thermal Physics, Daniel V. Schroeder.
• Graduate    
• Fundamentals of Statistical and Thermal Physics, Reif.
• Special Relativity
• Undergraduate    
• Modern Physics, Tipler & Llewellyn, 5th ed., chapters 1&2.
• Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems, Thornton & Marion, 5th ed., chapter 14.
• Graduate    
• Classical Mechanics, Goldstein, Poole, and Safko, 3rd ed., chapter 7.
• Quantum Mechanics
• Undergraduate    
• Introduction to Quantum Mechanics, Griffiths, 2nd ed.
• Graduate    
• Quantum Mechanics, Abers.
• Generic Modern Physics
• Undergraduate    
• Modern Physics, Serway, Moses & Moyer, 3rd ed.
• Modern Physics, Tipler & Llewellyn, 5th ed.