The Physics Candidacy Examination
advancement to candidacy
Before embarking formally on Ph.D. thesis research, a student must become a candidate
for the doctorate. The requirement for advancement to candidacy is to pass a
comprehensive written test administered by the physics department: the candidacy exam.
The purpose of the exam is twofold. First, it assures that the student has the requisite
knowledge to undertake independent research at the Ph.D. level. Second, it assures that
the student has the broad competency in physics that a doctoral degree implies.
subject and level of coverage
The exam poses problems in which the student must use physics reasoning to predict the
outcome of a real or hypothetical situation. The exam tests for mastery of physics
course material at the advanced undergraduate level. The questions test for deeper
and more integrated understanding than is normally required in an undergraduate course.
A question often requires knowledge from more than one undergraduate course. Past exams
on file in the library show the style and the level of the questions.
The central topics to be covered by the exam are Quantum Mechanics, Electromagnetism,
Classical Mechanics, and Statistical Mechanics (Thermodynamics). It is to be expected
that the exam also will regularly cover Special Relativity. Some questions may touch on
more specialized topics, such as Mathematical Physics, Astrophysics, Solid State
(Condensed Matter), Optics, Atomic Physics, Experimental Physics, High Energy Physics,
and Short Answer Estimation. However, such questions are to be within the scope of undergraduate
material that the faculty takes to be indispensable.
studying for the exam
Since most students have not taken a broadly based exam like this before, they generally
need to prepare for it. Students normally spend two months or more studying for the exam,
reviewing their undergraduate course work and solving previously-posed exam problems for
themselves. Often students study in pairs or groups. Many faculty and senior students look
back on their study for such exams as one of the most valuable parts of their PhD training.
From the University of Chicago network you can download past exams by linking to the
Crerar Library
reserves . If it is more convenient, you can also go to the Crerar Library and make
hard copies of these exams. Entering graduate students who have not yet arrived on
campus can contact David D. Reid for copies of
selected exams.
taking the exam
Students who intend to take the exam are asked to inform the department office a couple of
months before it is given. All students are expected to attempt the exam by the Fall of their
second year. Students must pass the exam by the Fall of their third year. The exam is open to
first-year students on entering. It is to be emphasized that performance on the exam, if taken
on entering, will not negatively affect any student.
The exam is given in two six-hour sessions, usually on the third
floor of Kersten. Students may bring a calculator capable of performing arithmetic and
calculating standard mathematical functions, but not one which stores information to be
consulted during the exam. The students are not allowed to consult outside information except
for two items. A student may prepare a single sheet of standard sized office paper with his
or her own handwritten notes. Students may consult a sheet provided at the exam listing
physical constants and conversion factors. Students are trusted not to use outside information
beyond these sources. Students are free to leave the room. A member of the exam committee will
be reachable to answer questions that arise. Most students bring some food; tea, coffee, and
soft drinks will be provided at lunchtime.
how the exam is written and graded
A committee of four faculty members and the department's Executive Officer is responsible
for making up the exam. The faculty members are chosen to span the breadth of expertise in
the department. It is administered just before the beginning of the autumn quarter and just
after the end of the spring quarter. A number of measures are taken to assure the impartiality
and accuracy of the exam. The questions are submitted by the faculty at large. Each question
on the exam question is revised by a committee member and is worked and critiqued independently
by another member, to assure that the question is well posed and appropriate. The committee
grades the exams without knowing the identities of the students. Two committee members grade
each exam question independently, without writing on the exam. If the two scores on a question
differ by more than two points out of ten, those members review their notes, discuss that
student's solution and resolve the discrepancy. Once the scores have been established, the
committee meets to decide what level of performance should be sufficient to pass (still
without knowing the identities of the students). Historically this level has corresponded to
a threshold score of about half of the maximum score. In borderline cases, the committee looks
at the student's performance on individual questions. They look for evidence of breadth
and of solid reasoning.
Scores deemed insufficient for advancement to candidacy may nevertheless be high enough
to qualify for a master's degree. Such students are given a so-called M-level pass but are
not admitted to candidacy.
announcing the results
Students are informed about whether they passed as soon as possible after the exam is graded.
Solutions are made available later as an aid for future students. The committee does not
attempt to explain its grading of individual exams to the students. However, upon request
students may receive (a) their unmarked solutions and (b) qualitative feedback on
their exam results from the Executive Officer. Neither total scores nor scores on individual
problems will be given.
T. Witten June 16, 2003
Last modified by D. Reid, June 2006
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