Exit examination requirement for B.S. Physics, B.S. Physics-Astronomy, B.S. Applied Physics

If you are in one of the above majors, during your final year you must complete a newly required two-hour exit exam, part of a university-wide effort to assess learning.  There is no grading or passing requirement, but we want you to do your best, as we and external reviewers will use it to see how well our majors do compared to other departments in the nation.  All our majors don't take the same advanced courses, so we group the statistics by majors to get useful information. Many questions need only the background of sophomore level courses.

You can see sample questions here.  In this exam no formulas are given, only physical constants.  Calculators are not allowed.  Simple estimates of square roots, etc are sufficient.

You must complete the exam before you can get a grade for your senior thesis or capstone.

We will offer the examination in both Fall and Winter semesters.  Please click here for a google list to sign up for a day to take the exam (See "Sign up now" if you're not a google user). 

If you can't take it one of the days it's offered, click here to learn how to take it at the Testing Center for a small fee.

Thanks for helping us improve the department by taking this exam. 

Please contact Bret Hess for more information.