SFSU Physics and Astronomy

GRADUATE PROGRAM

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DEPARTMENT CHAIR Prof. Susan Lea

ASSOCIATE CHAIR Prof. James Lockhart

GRADUATE ADMISSIONS Prof. Jeffrey Greensite

GRADUATE ADVISOR Prof. Maarten Golterman

Placement Test for Entering Graduate Students

The placement test is given to all students entering the Physics and Astronomy graduate program, at the start of their first semester here. It is designed to help determine where you should begin your studies at SFSU. It is an open book test, and is untimed. The test is quite long, and it will probably take you much of the day. We usually start at 9am and have a lunch break. During lunch, you will have an opportunity to meet with your colleagues. See Deadlines for time and place.

The material covered includes:

• Basic undergraduate physics at the level of Lea and Burke; Halliday, Resnick and Walker; Serway; or equivalent books. Mastery of this material is required for all TA's.
• Basic undergraduate physics knowledge expected of beginning graduate students. This material includes junior-level mechanics, E&M, and modern physics.
• Basic mathematical techniques used in undergraduate physics. This includes algebra, geometry and trigonometry, calculus, vectors and vector calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, Cartesian, cylindrical and spherical coordinates systems.
• Material required as prerequisite to the core courses in our graduate program (Phys 701, 704, 706).

We do not expect that each student will be able to answer all the questions. In fact, if every student could answer every question the test would not serve its purpose. Students who enter our program with a degree in a subject other than physics may not be able to answer many of the questions at all. That is perfectly all right. We just need to find out where you should start, so that your experience with us can be as enjoyable and successful as possible.

SFSU graduates entering the Masters program will be expected to take the test.

Please get in touch with one of us (see above) if you have any questions about the test, or any other aspect of our program.