In the period just prior to the Fall semester, entering graduate students take a
series of four assessment exams that provide a helpful measure of the student's knowledge in Classical Mechanics, Electromagnetic Theory, Quantum Mechanics and Thermal Physics, at the advanced undergraduate level. The exams are at the level of the following undergraduate courses at Duke:
The above links provide a syllabus and the textbook used in these course which can be used for preparation. Each exam will last 1.5 hrs and test the students on basic concepts through simple problems.
The purpose of the exams are two fold:
- To assess the preparedness of the student to take each of the core
graduate courses. The exam results serve as a springboard for discussion
between the student and the DGS regarding how to best structure the
student's course schedule. For example, a student who performs weakly on an
exam may be advised to do additional background reading or to take an
advanced undergraduate course in the corresponding subject area prior to
taking the core graduate course.
- Instructors of the core graduate courses may use the assessments to
determine the overall level of preparation of students. This allows the
instructor to better tailor the course to a particular group of students.
Students should prepare adequately for the assessment exams over the summer before arriving at Duke so that they are able to demonstrate their knowledge. If students perform poorly in the assessment exams, they may be required to take preparatory undergraduate courses before the core graduate courses.
Webmaster: SCH
Copyright ©
2009 Duke University