Incoming student portal: Difference between revisions

From Physics Grad Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
← Older edit
Nikko (talk | contribs)
289 edits
No edit summary
 
(24 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
==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==
=Helpful Information for Incoming Ph.D. and Master's Students=


===Academic decisions and success===
This information was compiled by past and present graduate students to provide incoming students with information they believe will be helpful.
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:
===Academic Decisions and Success===


*[[No Prior Graduate Experience Advice|Advice]] - for students who did not take graduate courses during their undergrad, especially who intend to do theory.
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 can improve your likelihood of success, however you may define it.
*[[Prior Graduate Experience Advice|Advice]] - for students who did take graduate courses before or already have masters degrees.
*[[Non-Physics Background Advice|Advice]] - for students whose previous degrees are not in physics.
*[[Terminal Masters Advice|Advice]] - for students who want terminal masters degrees.


===Additionally here are more general resources===
Here, we have compiled suggested paths towards success based on our collective prior experience:
*[[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==
* [[Advice:No prior graduate experience|Advice]] for students who did not take graduate courses during their undergrad (especially important for those who intend to do theory).
===Before you arrive===
The 2017 orientation schedule is available [http://graduate.physics.sunysb.edu/orientation/2017/ here].


*[[Getting to Stony Brook|Getting to campus]] - for when you first arrive, especially if you're flying in
* [[Advice:Prior graduate experience|Advice]] for students who did take graduate courses during their undergrad or already have Master’s degrees.


*[[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
* [[Advice:Background outside of Physics|Advice]] for students whose previous degrees are not in physics.


*[[Health Form Information]] - What you need to know about the health forms you'll have to bring
* [[Advice:Terminal Masters degrees|Advice]] for students who want a terminal Master’s degree.


*[[Supplies to bring to campus|Things to bring]] - what to pack before you leave
===More General Resources===


*[[Course placement]] - what to know about placing out of courses
Additionally, there are a few resources to help you find your step at Stony Brook.


*[[Mentorship program]] - as of 2017 every student gets two faculty mentors and two senior graduate student mentors
* [[Self-diagnostic test|Self-diagnostic Test]]: Evaluate your preparation for the core courses.
''Note: Master’s students are not required to take these courses, and Ph.D. students are not required to take these courses immediately (these can be taken after remedial courses if necessary).''


===Once you arrive===
* [[Guide to living on Long Island|Guide to Living on Long Island]]: Recommendations for living a balanced, healthy, and fulfilling life on Long Island and in New York.
*[[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
* [[Advice:Students to contact|Students to Contact]]: Current graduate students whom you can contact for additional information and general advice.


*[[Taking the comps|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
* [[Advice:Research_groups|Research Groups]]: Current professors and research groups with brief descriptions and advice for joining and collaborating.


===For international students===
* [[Working Outside the Department Advice|Working Outside the Department]]: Research opportunities outside the physics department at Brookhaven, the Laufer Center, and Cold Spring Harbor.
*[[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
=Practical Information for SBU=


==For master's students==
===Before You Arrive===
*[[Applying for PhD Programs]] - tips for Masters (or undergraduate) students who are planning to apply


[[Category:Incoming student portal]]
The 2025 orientation schedule is not yet available. It will be linked here once it is. Alternatively, you should receive emails about your orientation schedule from the Graduate Program Director (Derek Teaney as of 2025) and/or the Graduate Program Coordinator (Donald Sheehan as of 2025).
 
* [[Getting to Stony Brook|Getting to campus]]: For when you first arrive, especially if you're flying in.
 
* [[Getting housing|Acquiring Housing]]: If you don't know where you'll be living when you get to campus, or you're thinking of moving out of on-campus housing.
 
* [[Health Form Information|Health Form Information]]: What you need to know about the health forms you'll have to bring.
 
* [[Supplies to bring to campus|Things to Bring]]: What to pack before you leave.
 
* [[Course placement|Course Placement]]: What to know about placing out of courses.
 
* [[Mentorship program|Mentorship Program]]: The status of the mentorship program in 2025 has not yet been determined. You can likely find out more information by emailing sbupgsa@gmail.com, the Graduate Program Director, and/or the Graduate Program Coordinator. However, please note that these parties may also not have information about the mentorship program for a given year if it is quite early in the cycle.
 
* [[Methods of transportation#Parking passes|Getting an SBU Parking Pass]]: If you're coming with a car, how to get a permit to park.
 
===Once You Arrive===
 
* [[Methods of transportation|Methods of Transportation]]: Getting around the Stony Brook area once you've arrived.
 
* [[Fees and finances| Fees & Finances]]: What you need to know about the financial situation of a new student.
 
* [[Taking the comps|Taking the Comprehensive Exams]]: Tips on whether to take the comprehensive exams before the start of your first semester, and what you need to know if you decide to.
 
===For International Students===
 
* [[SIM cards| SIM Cards]]: Information about SIM cards for international students who will be arriving without working phones.
 
* [[Social Security Numbers|Social Security Numbers (SSN)]]: An essential part of living and working in the US.
 
===For Master's Students===
 
* [[Advice:Applying to PhD programs|Applying to Ph.D. Programs]]: Tips for Master's (or undergraduate) students who are planning to apply to Stony Brook and/or other Ph.D. programs in physics and astronomy.
 
[[Category:Incoming Student Portal]]
[[Category:Guides]]

Latest revision as of 21:46, 29 March 2025

Helpful Information for Incoming Ph.D. and Master's Students

This information was compiled by past and present graduate students to provide incoming students with information they believe will be helpful.

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 can improve your likelihood of 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 important for those who intend to do theory).
  • Advice for students who did take graduate courses during their undergrad or already have Master’s degrees.
  • Advice for students whose previous degrees are not in physics.
  • Advice for students who want a terminal Master’s degree.

More General Resources

Additionally, there are a few resources to help you find your step at Stony Brook.

Note: Master’s students are not required to take these courses, and Ph.D. students are not required to take these courses immediately (these can be taken after remedial courses if necessary).

  • Students to Contact: Current graduate students whom you can contact for additional information and general advice.
  • Research Groups: Current professors and research groups with brief descriptions and advice for joining and collaborating.

Practical Information for SBU

Before You Arrive

The 2025 orientation schedule is not yet available. It will be linked here once it is. Alternatively, you should receive emails about your orientation schedule from the Graduate Program Director (Derek Teaney as of 2025) and/or the Graduate Program Coordinator (Donald Sheehan as of 2025).

  • Acquiring Housing: If you don't know where you'll be living when you get to campus, or you're thinking of moving out of on-campus housing.
  • Mentorship Program: The status of the mentorship program in 2025 has not yet been determined. You can likely find out more information by emailing sbupgsa@gmail.com, the Graduate Program Director, and/or the Graduate Program Coordinator. However, please note that these parties may also not have information about the mentorship program for a given year if it is quite early in the cycle.

Once You Arrive

  • Fees & Finances: What you need to know about the financial situation of a new student.
  • Taking the Comprehensive Exams: Tips on whether to take the comprehensive exams before the start of your first semester, and what you need to know if you decide to.

For International Students

  • SIM Cards: Information about SIM cards for international students who will be arriving without working phones.

For Master's Students

  • Applying to Ph.D. Programs: Tips for Master's (or undergraduate) students who are planning to apply to Stony Brook and/or other Ph.D. programs in physics and astronomy.
Retrieved from "https://grad08.physics.sunysb.edu/index.php?title=Incoming_student_portal&oldid=1992"