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Orientation Meeting New Physics Graduate Students

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Title: Orientation Meeting New Physics Graduate Students


1
Orientation MeetingNew Physics Graduate Students
  • Prof. Kathie Newman
  • Director of Graduate Studies

2
Welcome!
3
Handouts
  • Agenda
  • Guide
  • List of new students
  • List of faculty
  • Teaching Assignments

4
Outline
  • Graduate Guide
  • Typical Life of a Graduate Student
  • Hurdles
  • Qualifying Examination
  • TA Assignments
  • Physics Department OfficePolicies and Procedures
  • FAQ

5
Department of Physics Guide for Graduate
Students2006-2007
6
Sections
  • PhD Requirements
  • Masters Requirements
  • Financial Support
  • Definition of Full Time
  • Definition of Good Standing
  • Stipend Policy
  • General Policies
  • Communication
  • Problems and Grievances
  • Course Requirements
  • Procedures for Taking Courses
  • Schedule
  • Advisers and Research Committees
  • Qualifying Examination
  • PhD Candidacy
  • Doctoral Dissertation and Defense
  • Appendix Transfer Credit

7
Ph.D. Requirements
  • Courses (39 credits)
  • Residency (4 semesters)
  • 8 years of degree eligibility
  • Three required exams
  • Qualifying examination (by end of 2nd year)
  • Candidacy examination (by end of 4th year)
  • Defense (should try to defend by end of 6th year)

8
Masters Requirements
  • Courses (30 credits)
  • Residency (1 semester)
  • 5 years of degree eligibility
  • One required exam
  • Masters comprehensive examination
  • OR
  • Candidacy examination

9
Good Standing
  • Maintain a 3.000 GPA
  • Take the required courses on schedule
  • Find an adviser
  • Pass the qualifier examination before end of 2nd
    year
  • Make progress in research
  • Pass the candidacy examination before the end of
    the 4th year
  • Finish before the end of the 8th year

10
University Policies
  • Grad Handbook
  • http//www.nd.edu/orlh/handbook/index.htm
  • Includes
  • University Standards of Conduct
  • Discriminatory Harassment Policy
    http//hr.nd.edu/policy/manual/Institutional_Polic
    ies/dh.shtml
  • Sexual Harassment Policy http//www.nd.edu/hara
    ssmt/
  • University Smoking Policy http//orlh.nd.edu/dul
    ac/smokingpolicy.htm
  • Alcohol Policy
  • Academic Code
  • Honor Code http//www.nd.edu/hnrcode/

11
Graduate School Policies
  • Grad Bulletin http//graduateschool.nd.edu/pdf/b
    ulletin.0405.pdf
  • Web http//graduateschool.nd.edu/html/policies/i
    ndex.html
  • Admission to the Graduate School
  • Enrollment in the University
  • Academic Integrity
  • Academic Counselor
  • Requirements for the Masters Degree
  • Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree

12
Course Work Requirements
  • Core Curriculum (12 courses, 36 credits)
  • 9 required courses
  • PHYS 70003 Methods of Theoretical Physics
  • PHYS 70005 Theoretical Mechanics
  • PHYS 70006 Electromagnetism
  • PHYS 70007 Quantum Mechanics I
  • PHYS 70008 Quantum Mechanics II
  • PHYS 71010 Methods of Experimental Physics
  • PHYS 80001 Electrodynamics
  • PHYS 80002 Statistical Thermodynamics
  • PHYS 80003 Quantum Mechanics III
  • Electives (take three of the following)
  • PHYS 70201 Astrophysics
  • PHYS 80301 Atomic Physics I or PHYS 80303
    Quantum Optics
  • PHYS 80501 Condensed Matter I
  • PHYS 80601 Elementary Particles
  • PHYS 80701 Nuclear Physics I
  • One elective must be in the students major area
    of research. At the discretion of the DGS and
    when appropriate, a course from another course
    (e.g. general relativity or a course from another
    department which will be helpful to the students
    research) can be used to fulfill the elective
    requirement in the major area.

13
English as a Second Language
  • ENGL 90110
  • 1145-100 MW
  • or
  • 430-545 MW

14
Transfer Credits
  • Eligible for Transfer?
  • Taken while a graduate student
  • Graduate level class
  • Grades of B or better
  • Equivalent (or near equivalent) to courses here
  • Procedure
  • Form sent by DGS to Grad School at the end of the
    first semester
  • Credits appear on Notre Dame transcript
  • Record of courses transferred kept in students
    folder
  • There is a limited on how many courses can be
    transferred

15
Waive Requirement through examination
  • Situation
  • Student not eligible for transfer credit
  • Students feels knows material, would be wasting
    time taking the course
  • Process
  • Take examination equivalent to final in the
    course
  • Must discuss the schedule for doing this with the
    DGS
  • By 4th class day for fall courses
  • Before end of semester for spring courses
  • If passed, record of waived courses kept in
    students folder
  • There is a limit on how many courses can be waived

16
Typical Life of a Graduate Student
17
First Year
  • Courses
  • Teaching Assistant Duties
  • Two to three duties, averaging 12-16 hours/week
  • Qualifier Exam
  • You must take this exam every time it is offered,
    until you pass both sections.
  • You have a total of four opportunities to pass
    the exam (this excludes the free try with the
    summer courses).
  • Research
  • Research orientation meetings are offered in the
    first semester
  • First semester, you will choose a research area
    and find a research adviser
  • Start research in your second semester
  • Summer
  • Research with your adviser!

18
First Year Schedule
  • Fall Semester
  • Methods of Theoretical Physics
  • Mechanics
  • Quantum Mechanics I
  • Colloquium
  • Total 9 credits
  • Spring Semester
  • Methods of Experimental Physics
  • Quantum Mechanics II
  • EM I
  • Research Seminar
  • Colloquium
  • Total 12 credits

19
More, first year
  • Teaching Assistant Duties
  • Two to three duties, averaging 12-16 hours/week
  • Expectations
  • Meet your supervisor, learn your duties, perform
    your duties
  • Learn to balance teaching with other
    responsibilities
  • Qualifier Exam
  • You must take this exam every time it is offered,
    until you pass both sections.
  • You have a total of four opportunities to pass
    the exam (this excludes the free try with the
    summer PHYS 77031-77032 qual prep course).
  • Expectations
  • Prepare for the exam by reviewing undergraduate
    physics
  • If you do not pass the first time, do a more
    thorough preparation for your second attempt

20
Research
  • In your first semester, attend all research
    orientation meetings
  • Then, choose a research area and find a research
    adviser
  • Start research in your second semester
  • Expectations
  • Find out about all areas of research in the
    department
  • Interview potential advisers by asking them
    questions
  • Are you looking for students?
  • What sorts of research problems do you have for
    your students?
  • What are your expectations for your students?
  • Have you trained other Ph.D. students? What are
    they doing now?
  • Do you have funding for students for the summer?
  • Do you have funding for students for after the
    second year?
  • Be aware that advisers will also be interviewing
    and testing you
  • What is your background? How are you doing in
    your courses? Have you passed the qualifier
    exam?
  • Heres a paper please read it and come back with
    questions, and well talk again
  • Why dont you try working your way through the
    following calculation?
  • Why dont you go talk with other students in my
    group?
  • Be assertive, outgoing, and positive
  • If your first choice doesnt work out, get
    advice, and keep searching

21
Second Year
  • Courses
  • Teaching Assistant Duties
  • Two to three duties, averaging 12-16 hours/week
  • Qualifier Exam
  • You must take this exam every time it is offered,
    until you pass both sections.
  • You have a total of four opportunities to pass
    the exam (this excludes the free try with the
    summer courses).
  • Research
  • You will have a research area and research
    advisor.

22
Second Year Schedule
  • Fall Semester
  • EM II
  • Quantum Mechanics III
  • First required elective
  • Research Seminar
  • Colloquium
  • Total 12 credits
  • Spring Semester
  • Statistical Mechanics
  • Second required elective
  • Third required elective
  • Research Seminar
  • Colloquium
  • Total 12 credits

23
More, second year
  • Qualifier Exam
  • You must take this exam every time it is offered,
    until you pass both sections.
  • You have a total of four opportunities to pass
    the exam (this excludes the free try with the
    summer course).
  • Expectations
  • We hope that you passed the exam during the first
    year!
  • If you did not, we expect that you will seek help
    in preparing for your third and fourth tries at
    the exam
  • Research
  • Expectations
  • You will have a research area and research
    adviser.
  • You will have a research problem that is yours.
  • You will meet on a regular schedule with your
    research adviser (and perhaps, also, with a
    research group).
  • By the end of second year, you and your adviser
    will start talking about when you will be ready
    for your candidacy exam.

24
General Expectations Second Year
  • By the end of the year, you will be comfortable
    identifying yourself as a member of the Physics
    Department, working in a particular research
    group.
  • You will attend all department colloquia plus all
    seminars in your area. You will also pay
    attention to seminars in areas other than your
    own, and attend if interested.
  • You will seek help if you have any difficulties
    or become overwhelmed.
  • As you finish your required course work, your
    attention will start shifting towards the time
    when you will be doing research full-time.

25
Third Year
  • Courses
  • Complete core curriculum, if havent already
  • Take physics elective classes in areas of
    interest
  • Support
  • You will be either a teaching assistant (paid by
    the Graduate School) or a research assistant
    (paid by a research group). (Some groups start
    paying for the RA once the student passes
    candidacy)
  • Research
  • Research becomes your primary responsibility.
  • Candidacy Exam
  • When you are ready, the department and Graduate
    School will invite you to take the written and
    oral candidacy exams.
  • Ideal timing end of your third year.
  • Masters Degree
  • An option after candidacy

26
More, third year
  • Candidacy Exam
  • When you are ready, the department and Graduate
    School will invite you to take the written and
    oral candidacy exams.
  • The DGS will assign a candidacy exam committee
    for you.
  • Expectations
  • You will discuss the written and oral candidacy
    exams with your research adviser.
  • You will try to pass your candidacy exam by the
    end of your third year.
  • Masters Degree
  • If you are not going to pursue the doctorate
    degree, talk to the DGS about your requirements
    for a Masters degree.
  • If you are going to pursue the doctoral degree,
    talk to the DGS about acquiring a Masters degree
    (this is semi-automatic, once youve passed
    candidacy).

27
More, third year
  • Research Expectations
  • You will have a research area, a research
    adviser, and a research problem that is yours.
  • You will meet on a regular schedule with your
    research adviser (and perhaps, also, with a
    research group).
  • General Expectations
  • By the end of the year, you will be comfortable
    identifying yourself as a member of the Physics
    Department, working in a particular research
    group.
  • You will attend all department colloquia plus all
    seminars in your area. You will also pay
    attention to seminars in areas other than your
    own, and attend if interested.
  • You will seek help if you have any difficulties
    or become overwhelmed.
  • In most cases, the third year is the first time
    when you can concentrate on research full-time.
    Enjoy this time!

28
Fourth Year
  • Support
  • You will be either a teaching assistant (paid by
    the department) or a research assistant (paid by
    a research group).
  • Candidacy Exam
  • The Graduate School requires that you take your
    candidacy exam by the end of your 4th year.
  • Research
  • You will have a well-defined research problem.
  • Professional Development
  • Set post-graduation goals (job, teaching,
    post-doc)
  • Identify skills required (write papers, attend
    conferences, teach, write proposals)

29
More, fourth year
  • Candidacy Exam
  • The Graduate School requires that you take your
    candidacy exam by the end of your 4th year.
  • Expectations
  • If you have started your fourth year, and havent
    taken your candidacy exam yet, you will place
    high priority of taking it as soon as possible.
    This allows you to move forward and become a
    doctoral student!
  • Research Expectations
  • You will be working fairly independently,
    reporting back to your adviser at agreed upon
    times.
  • Semester by semester, you should make progress
    towards the completion of the Ph.D. research
    project. Here are a few questions to for you and
    your adviser to discuss
  • Is my problem well defined?
  • Do I know what my short-range and long-range
    goals are for my research?
  • Am I meeting goals?
  • Do we have a contingency plan for the event of
    problems?
  • You will meet with your a doctoral committee at
    least once a semester. (Ideally, these people
    will give you advice and support as you proceed
    with your research project.)

30
Professional Development
  • In your fourth year, you will start thinking
    seriously about the type of position you will
    seek after graduation.
  • You will discuss your goals with your research
    adviser and others.
  • You should list the skills required for that
    position and then systematically work to obtain
    those skills. For example, if you intend to
    obtain a post-doctoral position followed by a
    faculty position, you should be acquiring the
    following skills as part of your graduate student
    training
  • Learn how to write papers
  • Learn how to present at conferences
  • Learn how to write a proposal
  • If you intend to teach, your emphasis may be on
    acquiring other skills
  • Consider ways to increase and document your
    teaching experience
  • Become involved in outreach activities (e.g.,
    QuarkNet, Kaneb Center, ACE)
  • If you intend to seek a job, you should
  • Discuss your prospects with staff from the Career
    Center.
  • Obtain advice on what other skills you should
    acquire, then work to acquire them.
  • Expectations
  • You will be mature enough to pay attention to
    your professional development at least a year
    ahead of your expected graduation.

31
Fifth Year
  • Support
  • You will be either a teaching assistant (paid by
    the department) or a research assistant (paid by
    a research group)
  • Research
  • Writing the Thesis
  • The Ph.D. Defense

32
Fifth year
  • Research
  • You will continue to work fairly independently,
    reporting back to your adviser at agreed upon
    times.
  • You will meet with your a doctoral committee at
    least once a semester. Your doctoral committee
    will be asking you about when you expect to
    finish.
  • Professional Development
  • Because you started to think about this in your
    fourth year, you will be ready to search for your
    next position.

33
Fifth year
  • Writing the Thesis
  • Start early. Keep a notebook where you keep
    ideas for things that you want to include.
  • Outline.
  • Pick a chapter that you think is easy to write,
    and write it first.
  • Use TeX.
  • If your native language isnt English, or if you
    arent a great natural writer, find a friend who
    will read early drafts before you give them to
    your adviser.
  • Listen to your adviser and your readers.
  • The Ph.D. Defense
  • If you have been meeting with your committee
    regularly, you will know the people at your
    defense!
  • You should be the master of your topic at this
    point
  • Youll be on stage talking about the topic youve
    studied for 3 to 5 years.

34
Hurdles
  • Courses
  • Maintain 3.0 GPA
  • Time Limits
  • 2 years, qualifier
  • 4 years, candidacy
  • 6 years, TA
  • 8 years, PhD
  • Examinations
  • Qualifying Exam
  • Part I
  • Part II
  • Candidacy Exam
  • Written
  • Oral
  • Defense of the Dissertation

35
Qualifying Examination
  • http//www.nd.edu/newman
  • Part I Sat., Sept. 23, 900 AM to 100 PM
  • Part II Sat., Oct. 28, 900 AM to 100 PM
  • Prof. Howard Blackstead
  • Chair of the Qualifying Exam Committee

36
Teaching Assignments
37
Physics Department OfficePolicies and Procedures
  • Ms. Jennifer Maddox
  • Departmental Administrator

38
FAQ The Nitty Gritty
  • Practical
  • Student I.D.
  • Email, list-serv
  • When will I be paid?
  • Contact Information
  • TA Supervisor
  • Buying books
  • Soccer
  • Housing Options
  • What do I do if
  • Im sick
  • I have a family emergency
  • Ill be late for the beginning of the semester
  • Other problems
  • Academic
  • Registration
  • Enrollment
  • Transfer credits
  • Testing out of a course
  • Taking an extra course
  • Finding an adviser
  • Passing the Qual
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