Starting in fall 2022, students review knowledge of quantum mechanics, electrodynamics, and classical mechanics at the undergraduate level via the course PHYS 202 Foundations of Physics. The definition of the covered knowledge is as below, and is comparable to the "preliminary exams" we conducted until spring 2022.
- Quantum Mechanics at the level of "Introduction to Quantum Mechanics", by D. J. Griffiths (example syllabus: 137.pdf)
- Electrodynamics at the level of "Introduction to Electrodynamics", by D. J. Griffiths (example syllabus: 110.pdf)
- Classical Mechanics at the level of "Classical Mechanics" by J. R. Taylor (example syllabus: 105.pdf)
Past preliminary exams:
- Spring 2022: Online exam scheduled on 1/29/2022 (Saturday)
Students are allowed to have a formula sheet (letter size, only one-side not both) for each subject. In the beginning of the exam, students need to show their formula sheet (via camera if the exam is online) to the proctor before working on the problems. Nothing else (textbook, computer files etc) is allowed. This time we do not have a physical room for the students because all students should have office space by now. If a student plans to take any subject(s), please send an email to Prof. Lin Tian (ltianATucmerced.edu) to register.
9:00AM-11:00AM Classical mechanics
11:30AM-1:30PM Electromagnetism
2:00PM-4:00PM Quantum mechanics
Fall 2021: Online exam was scheduled on 8/24/2021 (Tuesday).
Fall 2020 scheduled on 8/24/2020 (Monday) and was online via zoom. Please see here for instructions!
A selection of past exams from different years can be found here:
Spring 2012 Classical Mechanics
Spring 2016 Classical mechanics
Spring 2017 Classical Mechanics
Spring 2021 Classical Mechanics
Spring 2022 Classical Mechanics
Spring 2022 quantum (no exam)
