Graduate Problem Solving

Introduction

The written portion of our qualifying exam is the first major milestone you will meet on your way to the Ph. D. in physics here at FIU. Some would argue that passing both of these written exams is the most challenging one of these milestones. It is challenging as any exam in physics is because it requires a lot of upfront knowledge, a significant amount of preparation, the ability to interpret questions, and solve problems using somewhat sophisticated mathematical tools. There is also uncertainty in the kind of questions you will be asked so a lot of preparation is required to adequately prepare. But it is precisely these attributes that we are testing for as being able to demonstrate your theoretical understanding of the broad range of phenomena that is the purview of physics, the ability to solve intricate and complicated problems with mathematics and do all of this in a relatively short period of time is exactly what we aim to test.

The following material, recommendations, copies of old FIU quals, and links to books and other resources are provided in an attempt to help you prepare for this important task.

Information

Topic Course (Level) Professor Texts Used Comments
Modern Physics PHY3106 (Undergrad) R. Laird/L. Guo Serway, Moses & Moyer Syllabus
Physics Labs PHY3802L/4821L (Undergrad) L. Guo/J.L. Rodriguez P.R. Bevington & D.K. Robinson – L. Lyons Bevinton&Robinson
Classical Mechanics PHY221 (Undergrad) Y. Zhu/B. Raue Thorton & Marion Syllabus
Classical Mechanics PHY5240 (Grad) X. Wang H. Goldstein – D. Morin Syllabus
Electromagnetism PHY4323/4324 (Undergrad) J.L. Rodriguez/R. Bone D.J. Griffiths 4th/Wagness 2nd PHY4323 / PHY4324
Electromagnetism PHY5346/5347 (Grad) W. Cosyn A. Zangwill – J.D. Jackson None
Quantum Mechanics PHY4604/4605 (Undergrad) Hebin Li/Y. Zhu D.H. MyIntyre Syllabus
Quantum Mechanics PHY6645/6646 (Grad) M. Sargsian E.S. Abers Syllabus
Thermodynamics PHY3513 (Undergrad) X. Wang/W. Li D.V. Schroeder Syllabus
Statistical Mechanics PHY6524 (Grad) B. Gerstman F. Reif Syllabus