GRE Physics Prep for non-physicist

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on preparing for the Physics GRE (PGRE) for a nuclear engineering major applying to medical physics programs, particularly focusing on the feasibility of effective study within a limited timeframe and the relevance of prior knowledge in physics subjects.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern about the difficulty of cramming an undergraduate physics education into a few months but suggests reviewing existing knowledge to avoid losing points on familiar material.
  • Another participant notes that a significant portion of the PGRE covers topics typically included in early physics courses, which may overlap with the participant's engineering background, and suggests focusing on confidence in that material.
  • There is a suggestion that educated guesses on less familiar topics, combined with strong performance on known subjects, could lead to a decent score, though uncertainty remains about how this score would compare to those with a full physics background.
  • A further inquiry into the participant's coursework highlights essential subjects such as Thermodynamics, Statistical Mechanics, Electromagnetism, and Mechanics, indicating that a basic understanding of Quantum Mechanics may suffice for preparation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the importance of reviewing known material and the challenges of preparing adequately in a short time. However, there is no consensus on the effectiveness of this approach or how it will compare to candidates with more extensive physics training.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the potential gaps in knowledge due to the condensed preparation time and the varying relevance of different physics topics to the medical physics field.

Who May Find This Useful

Students in engineering or related fields considering applying to medical physics programs who need to prepare for the Physics GRE.

Uranium
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Hello again,

I'm planning on apply to a few medical physics programs in the fall, most of which do not require the physics GRE subject test. However, one does, and I really want to apply there. My thoughts? It wouldn't hurt to learn some more physics. I am a nuclear engineering major, so I would have a good ways to go to be able to be competitive on the test, but what are some good things to look at in preparation for it. Does it seem like a something I can do? I know that people spend 4+ years studying physics have a hard time with the test, so I am a bit intimidated, but I can at least give it a shot.
 
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I think it will be difficult to cram in an undergraduate education in a few months. What you can do, though, is review what you already know so you won't lose any points that you really shouldn't.
 
A large portion of the PGRE is from the first few subjects you'd have in a physics program. I'm sure they were part of your engineering program as well. I'd make sure you're confident in all of that material.
A few good educated guesses on the other topics and a solid score on the subjects you should have a background for would amount to a fairly decent score. I don't know how that score will compare to students that have had the full physics background though (or how much it will matter in medical physics if you have a solid "medical" background)
 
As an engineering major have you taken
Thermodynamics
Statistical Mechanics
E&M
Mechanics ie. Physics I

If you have, all you would need to do for quantum
is a very rough understanding of the first few
chapters Quantum Mechanics by Griffiths
and sadly that might be overpreparation for the Quantum part.
 

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