Info for Current Students

Here you will find links to information for students currently enrolled in the Bridge program. This includes access to course catalogs, course schedules, financial aid information, and other useful information. Check this page regularly for updates.

Click here to downolad an informational brochure in PDF format.

Overview of the Bridge Program:
Here are the basic requirements of the Masters-to-PhD Bridge program. See below for detailed guidelines and requirements.

• Complete all requirements for the M.A. degree
  • Be sure to take at least one core course at Vanderbilt
  • Be mindful of the various deadlines and forms to be completed (see below)
  • Meet at least once per semester with your Fisk and Vanderbilt advisers
• Take the GRE (including the subject exam, depending on which Vanderbilt PhD program you intend to join)
• Apply to the relevant Vanderbilt PhD program by the January deadline

Bridge Faculty office hours for Spring 2012:

• Arnold Burger (Fisk): Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8-11am
• Dave Cliffel (Vanderbilt): Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30-10:30am
• Dave Ernst (Vanderbilt): Tuesdays and Thursdays 1:00-2:30pm
• Kelly Holley-Bockelmann (Vanderbilt): Fridays 11:30am-1:00pm
• Lee Limbird (Fisk): Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays 9-10am; Weds 3-5pm
• Keivan Stassun: Mondays 2:30-3:30pm (Vanderbilt), Fridays 10-11am (Fisk)
• Donna Webb (Vanderbilt): Mondays 11am-12pm, Fridays 2-3pm

Important dates:
Note: these dates are approximate, and are intended only as a guide. Check the academic calendar (see links below) for up-to-date information.

• Fall semester 2011
  • Aug 22: Classes start at Fisk, last day to register at Fisk
  • Aug 24: Classes start at Vanderbilt
  • Aug 30: Last day to add/drop courses at Fisk
  • Sep 5: Labor day holiday at Fisk (no holiday at Vanderbilt)
  • Sep 30: Last day to drop courses at Fisk (WD)
  • Oct 3: Mid-semester evaluations
  • Oct 10-11: Fall break at Fisk and Vanderbilt
  • Nov 1: Pre-registration begins at Fisk for Spring courses
  • Nov 30: Pre-registration ends at Fisk for Spring courses
  • Dec 2: Last day to file for May graduation at Fisk

Information and forms:

• Bridge program
  • 2011 Student Handbook
  • "How to Succeed" handout
  • Official program requirements
  • "Surviving Graduate School" guide

• Fisk info:
• Fisk Graduate Student Handbook
• Fisk Graduate Bulletin
• Course registration forms:
  • Drop/Add form for registering at Fisk
  • Cross-registration form for registering at Vanderbilt
• Banner Web, includes:
• Course catalog
• Schedule of courses
• Financial aid applications and forms
• Fisk Health Insurance
  • 2011-12 brochure
• Academic calendar
• Transcript request form
• Masters thesis forms
  • Masters degree checklist and forms
  • Masters thesis binding guidelines form
  • Masters thesis format guide
  • Masters thesis style manual (from AIP)
• Miscellaneous forms

• Vanderbilt info:
  • Course catalog
• Schedule of courses
• Academic calendar
• Financial aid applications and forms
• Parking permits -- See Alyce for information about parking at Vanderbilt.
• Travel expense worksheet

• GRE info:
  • General Exam
  • Physics Subject Exam

• Qualifying exam info:
  • UCSD physics qualifying exam bank
    Each exam has an "undergrad" portion and a "grad" portion. The undergrad portion has 10 problems with two each from Mechanics, E&M, Stat Mech, Quantum, and Miscellaneous.More than 40 exams with solutions are posted, and some study materials are also on the website.