Graduate Studies
A large proportion of our physics majors go on to graduate school after graduation. For your information, there is no unique standard admission process to graduate schools; the required application material, the deadline for application and the test requirements varie from school to school. However, in all cases, a good preparation in physics for graduate students includes a sound knowledge of general physics, intermediate level mechanics, electricity and magnetism, optics, statistical and thermal physics, introductory atomic physics including some principles of quantum mechanics. A corresponding mathematical background would include vector analysis, calculus, ordinary differential equations, and some knowledge of introductory complex analysis.
The Grad School Shopper is an interesting resource to gather information about the different graduate school programs.
Some of the graduate schools required scores for the general and subject (physics) test of the graduate record examination (GRE), administered by the Educational Testing Service. You can practice the physics subject test by taking the older exams.
Sample GRE exams
The learning center offers a workshop series designed to help you review for the GRE General test. The learning center provides many useful resources for successful test taking.
The Graduate Records Examination (ETS) offers a limited number of GRE fee reduction vouchers on a first-come, first-served, basis that are available for college seniors. A fee reduction voucher may be used for one General Test and/or one Subject Test. Eligibility for participation in the fee reduction program is limited to one time only. Contact the Student Financial Aid Sevices at ext. 3310 for further information.