What is Physics graduate: Definition and 92 Discussions

The GRE physics test is an examination administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The test attempts to determine the extent of the examinees' understanding of fundamental principles of physics and their ability to apply them to problem solving. Many graduate schools require applicants to take the exam and base admission decisions in part on the results.
The scope of the test is largely that of the first three years of a standard
United States undergraduate physics curriculum, since many students who plan to continue to graduate school apply during the first half of the fourth year. It consists of 100 five-option multiple-choice questions covering subject areas including classical mechanics, electromagnetism, wave phenomena and optics, thermal physics, relativity, atomic and nuclear physics, quantum mechanics, laboratory techniques, and mathematical methods. The table below indicates the relative weights, as asserted by ETS, and detailed contents of the major topics.

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  1. M

    Schools Easiest Physics Graduate Schools to get into

    Hi I have already applied to the schools I want to get into and two others which i know I have a shot at. However I am looking for some physics graduate programs (in the US) which are easy to get into for safety. I'd appreciate your help.
  2. G

    Schools Need Information Regarding Physics Graduate School

    I am currently a sophomore attending Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) and majoring in physics. I am very studious and have maintained a 4.0 for the three semesters I have completed so far. I am hoping to graduate with a 4.0, which will be difficult but I think it is achievable. I am...
  3. C

    Schools Postdocs in a university without a physics graduate program?

    Suppose for a moment that you found just the one professor that you wanted to do a postdoc with. However, that professor works for a university that does not offer a physics graduate program. Can you still attempt to get a postdoc with that professor or you'd be better off finding another...
  4. A

    Physics Research in mechanics for a physics graduate possible?

    I am deeply interested in classical (Newtonian) mechanics (gyroscopes, spinning tops, toys) and want to pursue a career in research in this field. What are the possible options? Also, can anyone suggest me all possible branches in applied physics related to mechanics?
  5. S

    Schools Physics Graduate School Chances

    Hello, I go to a College with a small physics department and as a result I do not have a very helpful adviser (I don't blame him we have only a handful of professors and after one left, this new one got charged with being an adviser all of a sudden). Because of this I am a bit in the dark...
  6. Arsenic&Lace

    How does mathematics research look for physics graduate?

    I'm interested in mathematical or theoretical physics (and, I am quite aware of how daunting it is to obtain a career in this field). I'm curious, if I do research with the mathematics department, does this look good? Currently I might have a project in dynamical systems, although I could...
  7. M

    Schools NYU Physics Grad School Acceptance Rate for Prospective Students

    How hard is it to get into? I would think that it isn't as competitive as Columbia university but does anyone what is acceptance rate for NYU grad school in physics? If I can ace perfect 4.0 gpa from european university+good scores in PGRe+little undergraduate research do I have good change...
  8. A

    Physics Is there a job shortage for a Physics Graduate?

    Hi, I am planning to pursue a carear in Physics Master's degree. Before I go to college I want to know if there is a shortage of jobs for Physics Graduates. I haven't been introduced to all the fields of physics yet, so I just want an average answer.
  9. B

    Schools Finding the Right Physics Graduate School

    What is a good graduate school for physics?
  10. T

    Schools What do physics graduate schools really look for, aside from an excellent GPA?

    Besides obtaining an outstanding GPA, what are the major things that graduate schools look for in candidates? Any input is greatly appreciated, but please do try to provide a bit more detail. Thanks!
  11. D

    Schools Question about physics graduate school

    Hello all, I am currently an undergraduate in physics and have a significant amount of room in my schedule for classes. This is because I took mostly maths and general classes my freshman year, when deciding my major, and now will have to stay an extra half or full year to complete the core...
  12. N

    Courses Theoretical physics Graduate courses - is it all string theory?

    Hi, I was wondering what the scope is these days to do a PhD in theoretical physics, but without delving into string theory? Is the world of theoretical physics still very much dominanated by string theory, or can young physicists go down alternative routes? I seem to remember that some years...
  13. R

    Mathematical physics / physics graduate programs

    I searched for topics on relevant past questions but I didn't find any, so I hope you guys can help me. I'd like to get some suggestions of good graduate programs (master degree) in mathematical physics or theoretical physics (and here I'm pushing the envelope a bit) with a focus on research...
  14. D

    Schools Need Advice on Physics Graduate School

    With graduate school applications due soon, I'm looking for some advice on where to apply and what to do after I graduate. I have a strong academic background with a high GPA from a good school. I am a bit light on research and work experience, but my professors seem to think that this won't...
  15. S

    Schools Physics Graduate School Without Physics Courses

    Long story short, I am currently a junior mathematics major, and I plan on going to graduate school for physics. My college offers but two, non-calculus based physics courses covering classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism. Correct me if I'm wrong (please!), but I believe that if I do...
  16. L

    Physics What can a fresh EU physics graduate do in the UK?

    I've been searching for msc/msc+phd funding in the UK for quite a while but it seems the most I can obtain is a tuition waiver as I don't meet the residency requirements for a living stipend of any sort (3 years in the UK). Consequently I am reconsidering my career options upon graduating and...
  17. E

    Schools Physics graduate school essay help

    Helloo, So I've spent some time drafting an admissions essay and I've had a professor read it over and he's said that he likes it. However, I'm still not convinced. I sent it to a couple of my graduate school friends who are studying English and they say it's so drab and boring, but I'm...
  18. H

    Physics graduate interested in doing research in PDE's.

    Hello, I've recently finished a degree in physics. I'm interested in partial differential equations. I was wondering what I could do for a MSc, because I don't think I want to do anything in physics. Maths has always appealed to me, so I was looking for some suggestions as to how I might get...
  19. F

    Schools Physical Chem vs. CM physics Graduate school

    I'm currently applying for various graduate schools in both physical chemistry and condensed matter physics. My undergraduate degree is a double major in both fields. I'm curious about what the differences between the departments (and, to an extent, fields) might be. In terms of research...
  20. R

    Schools List of Courses Necessary for Physics Graduate School

    I looked back a few months but could find no posts that explicitly covered both these so my question to y'all is: From your personal experience, if you had to compose a list of undergraduate math/physics courses that are necessary/extremely beneficial to success in physics graduate school...
  21. D

    Schools Physics graduate school database & Biophysics advice

    I am beginning graduate school preparations, I am looking for an online database of physics graduate programs that would list things like number of faculty in specific fields, number of graduate students admitted each year, etc... I have seen a book like this, specifically for physics...
  22. X

    Engineering What can an engineering physics graduate do?

    I am kind of worried about the jobs i can get after graduating with an Engineering Physics degree right now. I am not that research kind of guy and i am really interested in jobs in engineering part. However, i did a lot of research and most of them show that jobs out there for engineering...
  23. F

    Schools Applied physics graduate school prep

    My questions are rather unfocused... I don't really know if they're really questions yet, but chime in as much as possible. I'm just tossing ideas around here. 1. I think all physics programs offer an advance lab class. they offer a range of experiments and you pick some to repeat. Is this...
  24. S

    Physics graduate studies applicable to sustainable technologies

    Hi I'll be wrapping up my undergrad in physics in about a year, and I'm starting to seriously think about grad school. What I'd like to be doing eventually is applying physics to issues of sustainability, particularly energy sustainability. At the moment, I'm trying to decide what areas of...
  25. C

    Physics graduate can't get job with defense contractor

    I just graduated with my BS in physics and applied math this December 2009. I'm currently taking 2 mechanical engineering classes right now through my school's extension program for BA/BS degree holders. After taking these ME classes for 3 weeks now, I'm certain that I want to enter ME for my...
  26. F

    Canadian Physics Graduate Programs

    Hi! I am new here. I am currently an undergraduate in China, majoring in physics. I am in my final year, and I am applying for physics PhD programs in North American. I have chosen some institutions in the US, and I am considering adding one or two Canadian institutions. However, unlike...
  27. S

    Schools Physics Graduate School - What to Expect

    I want to know what kind of schools i can to expect to get into for physics graduate school. I am currently a sophomore attending the university of reno. I am majoring in both biochemistry and physics. I currently work at the National Terawatt Facility working as a core diagnostic technician...
  28. K

    Schools Is the GRE a Barrier for Physics Grad School Acceptance?

    Im a junior physics major, I've been researching the web about physics grad programs. Honestly, they're not too informative. I was hoping people could post some info about graduate school here. If people could, I am curious about what type of GPA, GRE, research, and internships they had and what...
  29. K

    Where to Pursue Graduate Studies in Theoretical and Particle Physics?

    So I am approaching my senior year. Studying right now for the GRE and all that standard business that we go through during the summer before senior year. I've got a dilemma though. I don't have a great idea of where I should aim for. I am pretty open to any location but I want to be sure that I...
  30. E

    Schools Physics Graduate School Admission: GPA vs. NRC Rankings at Duke University

    I'm wondering how difficult it is to gain admission to PhD programs in physics. On Duke's website, they show that the average GPA of admitted students was 3.7 last year. Keeping that in mind, I looked at the NRC rankings in physics, and Duke is ranked like 42. At my school, the average GPA of...
  31. T

    Futher maths reading for a physics graduate

    Im a physics graduate, well nearly, graduating in 4 weeks time, and I get the feeling I don't know as much maths as I should. The most taxing things I've ever been taught within the course are operators, like the Hamiltonian, or div and curl of vector functions. I don't really know where to go...
  32. Q

    Life as a physics graduate student

    Hi everyone. I'm just wondering - I've heard lots of rumors about physics grad. school, and how hard it is, etc. I have no problem dedicating myself to studying, but am worried about family issues. What I'm wondering is - - how many hours on average per week will I be working? 40, 60, 80...
  33. D

    Schools Preparation for physics graduate school

    I'm a senior in high school and I am going to major in physics in college. Ultimately, I want to become a theoretical physicist, but the problem is, I don't really know where I should go for undergraduate study for physics. All other variables aside, like cost and chance of acceptance, I would...
  34. T

    Schools Physics graduate school in the UK or Canada

    Hi all, I have a friend who wants to get a PhD in Physics, and ultimately wants to be a tenured professor at a university or smaller college in the USA. He is considering going to graduate school in the UK or Canada. He wants to know if this will make it harder for him to find a tenure...
  35. L

    Device Physics Graduate Programs?

    I am currently a double major in EE and physics due to graduate in spring 2008. I want to go to graduate school to study semiconductor device physics, or perhaps molecular electronics or organic electronics. Should I be looking into EE programs or applied physics programs? I know it would...
  36. O

    Schools Pursuing Graduate School in Physics After English & Music Major

    I am currently at a high ranking liberal arts undergraduate school finishing a major in English and Music, but have always had a pine for theoretical physics. I've always loved string theory, big bang, reading Hawking, Einstein, Newton, math (when I get it) and would like to go into that field...
  37. K

    Schools Applying to Physics Grad School at Yale & Princeton

    Hello, this is my first post, but I have been reading for some time now. As my freshman year of college approaches I have had some questions about my future(mainly grad school) which I would like to seek some answers. After reading posts I realize that everyone on this forum is very...
  38. A

    Advice for a physics graduate seeking employment please

    Dear all, I have an MPhys 2:1 honours degree from Sussex uni in the UK. Its a decent physics qualification. My referees think well of me as far as a I can tell. I am an intelligent chap with a strong physics vocation. However I have been unemployed for a year. At first I was very picky...
  39. S

    Top Medical Physics Graduate Programs

    I am almost done with my junior year at a top 15 liberal arts college. I'm majoring in physics with an overall gpa of 3.5 which I hope to pull to a 3.6 by graduation. My physics gpa is about 3.85. I am interested in attending a top school to do medical physics. Duke, UChicago,UW-Madison, and...
  40. Crumbles

    Schools Best Physics Graduate Schools in Canada

    Does anyone know where UBC [University of British Columbia] and the University of Manitoba stand in terms of Physics for graduate studies? :confused: I have heard a fair bit about McGill but any info about good graduate schools around Canada would be much appreciated. :smile: I am...
  41. P

    Schools Physics Graduate School in Germany?

    Hello everyone, Does anybody here attend a university in a German-speaking country or plan on doing so? Or is anybody from Germany/Austria/Switzerland or does anybody live there or have previously lived there? I'll be graduating in a couple years and I'm seriously considering graduate...
  42. B

    Schools Physics Graduate School Research/Admission

    Hi everyone, I am currently a double major in electrical engineering and physics, and trying to decide which area of physics I want to go into for graduate school. I'll be a junior next year in EE and I have thus far only taken the physics classes needed by EE's. Will someone tell me, or point...
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