Columbia Physics Department

2014 PHYSICS QUALIFYING EXAMINATIONS

Location: 428 Pupin Hall

DAY I: Classical Physics

MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 2014

Section 1 Classical Mechanics (4 out of 5 questions) 1:00 PM–3:00 PM

3:00 PM – 3:10 PM break

Section 2 Electricity, Magnetism and Electrodynamics (4 out of 5questions) 3:10 PM – 5:10 PM

DAY II: Modern Physics

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2014

Section 3 Quantum Mechanics (4 out of 5 questions) 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

3:00 AM –-3:10 PM Break

Section 4 Relativity and Applied QM (4 out of 5 questions) 3:10 PM- 5:10 PM

DAY III: General Physics

FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 2014

Section 5 Thermodynamics and other various topics (4 out of 6 questions) 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

3:00 – 3:10 PM Break

Section 6 Various Topics (4 out of 6 questions) 3:10 PM - 5:10 PM

On each day, each student may bring one 8 ½ x 11” formula sheet, hand written, using both sides. The formula sheets will be collected with the completed exam booklets. The formula sheet is the only material to which students can refer during the exams.

Simple calculators are permitted. However, the use of calculators for storing and/or recovering formulas or constants is NOT permitted.

Classes begin on Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Part IV: Oral Examinations

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22 (afternoon) and THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2014 (all day)

Days and times to be arranged; approximately one half hour to 45 minutes per student with a three member faculty committee. Orals usually cover a review of questions not answered correctly on the written exams (although a review of other questions is possible) and a discussion of research interests (past and future).

Faculty Meeting to discuss results: FRIDAY, January 24, 2014.

Results will be announced at the conclusion of this meeting by the Director of Graduate Studies.