Incoming student portal

Here we have all the information of what the past and present graduate students have compiled that they can think of which could possibly be helpful for incoming PhD and Masters students

Academic decisions and success

There are many ways to succeed in the Stony Brook Physics graduate program, and what you make of your degree really depends on your own background, your interests, and the kinds of research opportunities you are searching for. Collaboration, building a network of peers, and taking advantage of the opportunities that abound in the grad student community, broader department, and university are guaranteed ways to ensure success, however you may define it.

Here we have compiled suggested paths towards success based on our collective prior experience:

• Advice - for students who did not take graduate courses during their undergrad, especially who intend to do theory.
• Advice - for students who did take graduate courses before or already have masters degrees.
• Advice - for students whose previous degrees are not in physics.
• Advice - for students who want terminal masters degrees.

Additionally here are more general resources

• Self-diagnostic test - for evaluating your preparation for the core courses (which are not required for masters students, and do not need to be taken immediately for PhD students, and can be taken after remedial courses if necessary).
• Guide to living on Long Island - recommendations for living a balanced, healthy, and fulfilling life on Long Island and New York.
• Students Advice - willing available current grad students (and their advice) in different research areas who you should feel free to contact with any questions - (password protected)
• Research Group Advice - current professors and research groups with brief descriptions and advice for joining and collaborating - (password protected)
• Working Outside the Department Advice - research opportunities outside of the physics department at Brookhaven, the Laufer Center, and Cold Spring Harbor

Practical Information for SBU

Before you arrive

The 2017 orientation schedule is available here.

• Getting to campus - for when you first arrive, especially if you're flying in

• Getting housing - if you don't know where you'll be living when you get to campus yet, or you're thinking of moving out of on-campus housing

• Health Form Information - What you need to know about the health forms you'll have to bring

• Things to bring - what to pack before you leave

• Course placement - what to know about placing out of courses

• Mentorship program - as of 2017 every student gets two faculty mentors and two senior graduate student mentors

Once you arrive

• Methods of transportation - for getting around the Stony Brook area once you've arrived

• Fees and finances - What you need to know about the money situation of a new student

• Taking the comprehensive exams (Should I take the comps?) - Tips on whether or not to take the comprehensive exams, and information for if you decide to

For international students

• SIM cards - Information about SIM cards for international students who will be arriving without working phones

• Social Security Numbers - an essential part of living and working in the US

For master's students

• Applying for PhD Programs - tips for Masters (or undergraduate) students who are planning to apply

To add pages to the whitelist, ssh into pgsa@grad.physics.sunysb.edu and edit the /var/www/html/mediawiki/LocalSettings.php file.