Overview of Physics Graduate Program Joe Kapusta 19 August 2013

Anticipation

Outline Cast of characters Academic adviser versus research adviser Available resources when times get tough Foci of your life in physics –Research –Courses –Teaching –Other Where to find information and help Expectations year by year Statistics Summary

Cast of Characters You Your peers and senior students (140+). –Mentor TAs –Grad Phi, WIPA Professors (50+) –Research and academic advisers –Teachers of classes you take –Boss of classes you teach Abby Schraufnagel (Specialist for graduate program) Ron Poling (Head) Julie Murphy (Assistant to the Head) Cindy Cattell (Associate Head) Ginny Olson (Administrator - financial) Brian Andersson (demonstration room) Sean Albiston (lab services coordinator) Jeremy Manns (Director of Undergraduate Studies) Annie Bartels (Assistant to the Head for student programs) To Be Hired (Specialist for undergraduate program)

Academic Adviser Your academic adviser has been assigned and need not be your research adviser for your MS or PhD. Talk to him/her whenever you have questions about life in the department. They are eager to help you solve any problems so that you stay on track to your MS or PhD.

Academic Adviser Meet with your adviser at least once per month! I oftentimes hear that: –My students never show up after the first meeting. –My adviser is never available. If you want a 2 nd or independent opinion don’t hesitate to talk to me. We will discuss this more in the afternoon.

Research Adviser Must be a member of the Physics Graduate Faculty, meaning they could be a: Regular faculty member in Physics Member of FTPI (Fine Theoretical Physics Institute) Member of MIfA (Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics) Member of another department within CSE (College of Science and Engineering)

If you are experiencing problems... –Course work Course level is not right Professor is not helpful His/her teaching style does not match with your learning style Need better study habits –Teaching Takes too much time Teaching seminar is not helping Trouble with students Trouble with professor –Research Conflict with adviser –Personal Health Emotional Financial Social

… you can talk to: Classmates Other TA in the same section or other sections Academic adviser Any Professor DGS Mentor TA Counselor

Mental Health Approximately 20% of the population suffer from anxiety, depression, or other emotional disorders. (How many professors have suffered or still are suffering from it?) It’s not unique to you, and getting professional help (counselor) is a common practice in the US. U of MN offers professional services to help you better manage your situation. Professionals can help you through counseling, medication, or both.

Helpful resources outside physics There are many resources available outside the department –Ombudsman’s Office (conflict resolution) –UCCS (counseling & consulting) –Disability Services –Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action –Boynton Health Center –Council of Graduate Students Many of these offices coordinate with one another. If you are not sure which is the most appropriate, visit one and they will tell you which is the best place to get help.

Graduate School Tips and Timeline Take courses (first 2-3 years) Teach discussion and lab sessions (~ 2 years) Pass Graduate Written Exam (GWE) –Given in August and January –Should pass by beginning of 2 nd year Do research (3 rd year on) Form study groups with at least one native English speaker and one non-US citizen. Stay sane, have fun, connect with people

The 1 st year may be the most challenging Course work (Jackson, a bonding experience … ) GWE (unfortunately not everyone passes) –Tomorrow and day after/August 20 & 21 (optional) –January 2014 (required if haven ’ t passed yet) –August 2014 (required if haven ’ t passed yet) Look for research adviser –Sell your strengths to secure a summer research position (grades, score on GWE) –Summer support is usually available through TA positions, research grants, fellowships Do research in summer 2014

Courses Typical case –Took quantum mechanics, classical mechanics, electrodynamics, and thermodynamics/statistical mechanics as undergrad –Fall: 5001 (quantum), 5011 (classical), 5201 (thermal) –Spring: 5002 (quantum), 5012 (classical), 4xxx (intro to xxxx) –Mathematical methods (5041) is a good optional course –5072 (physics education) is required to make sure you keep up with your teaching preparation If you did not take the above as an undergrad, consider 4001 (classical mechanics), 4002 (electrodynamics), 4101 (quantum), 4201 (thermal), 4303 (optics & acoustics). –Could delay your research and PhD by one year If you feel you have mastered most of the materials for the 500 level courses, consider taking advanced quantum (8001), and other 8000-level courses of your interest.

Courses to Consider in the First Year 4211* Introduction to Solid State Physics 4511* Introduction to Nuclear and Particle Physics 4611* Introduction to Space Physics 4621* Introduction to Plasma Physics 5081* Introduction to Biopolymer Physics 5001/2 Quantum Mechanics 5011/2 Classical Physics (mechanics, E&M) 5022 Relativity, Cosmology, and the Universe 5041 Mathematical Methods for Physics 5201 Thermal and Statistical Physics 5072 Best Practices in College Physics Teaching 5073 Introduction to Research Seminar * Survey Course

More on Courses Goal: minimum GPA of core courses (5000 level) of 3.5. You can register for up to 14 credits every semester –Since you need 40 course credits to obtain PhD, to finish them in 2 years, you should take at least 10 credits. –More than 10 will allow you to finish earlier –Or you can take other interesting courses Statistics, biochemistry, neuroscience, philosophy Various engineering or math courses

Intermission Please be back in 10 minutes.

GWE Given twice per year, in August and January. You have three opportunities to take it. It covers undergraduate physics in a comprehensive manner and at a level of sophistication expected of graduate students. If you have complete mastery of junior and senior undergraduate level mechanics, electrodynamics, thermal and quantum physics, and are fully prepared, you should be able to pass it. Passing score is about 50%. Should you take it tomorrow and Wednesday

Should You Take the GWE this Week? Should take it if –You have spent the summer preparing for it –You plan to start doing research right away, or have a master’s degree, or have taken most of the required courses already Should not it take if –You don’t think you can take the shock of a poor performance If you are confident that you will pass, there is no need to hurry though it may be nice to get over with it –If you pass it with flying colors, congratulations, but still take coursework seriously –Research advisers check on how well you did If you think you have a small chance to pass, it would be better if you study for a few months so that your level of understanding is significantly deeper than the bare minimum, and then pass the January one –Often doing TA work is good training for GWE –It helps to prepare with other students –Past GWEs are available on our web site

Research What fields are available here? How to find your field of interest When and how should you start –Look for research adviser in the spring of 2014 –Try out research in the summer of 2014 –Continue during the following year at your own pace and level if you like it. If you do really well in the summer, you may get an RA during the year! –Otherwise find another adviser next spring –Have final research adviser during the 2 nd summer (2015). –Pass Preliminary Oral Exam, complete all coursework and 24 thesis credits to be ABD status.

We Care About You! We want our students to be successful in doing research and to move on to a rewarding career. –It makes us feel good –We really care about you –We want you to succeed –It boosts our own reputation –We get paid for doing this

Our Fields of Research Astrophysics and cosmology: theory and experiment Biophysics: theory and experiment Condensed matter physics: theory and experiment Elementary particle physics: theory and experiment Nuclear physics: theory Physics education Space physics: theory and experiment

Look Where You Want to Be, Not Where You Are

New Physics and Nanotechnology Building The $83 million 4+1 story 155,000 sq. ft. building houses a 5,000 sq. ft. clean room and has offices and labs for all experimental faculty and their groups. Move-in will begin on November 1, 2013.

How to find a research adviser Talk to professors, senior graduate students, and postdocs Introduction to research seminar 5980 Physics journal club 5970 Read the journals (PRL, PRA-E, PLA-B, RMP, Nature, Science) Preprint archive (arXiv.org)

Where to find information: Under “Physics Intranet” look at Advice from the DGS Physics Graduate Handbook

Annual Progress Survey Done every spring – due March 15. –What have you done so far? –What can you and the department do to improve what you have not done as well as you wanted? Opportunity for you to check your own progress and discuss it with your adviser (academic or research) Opportunity for us to detect if anything unusual is happening to you –This is obviously a minimal check. It would be better if you check your own progress more often and check with me whenever you have questions In addition, you will be asked to come up with a summer research plan –With a reasonable research plan, many of you will get fellowships over the summer

Next summer I hope you will say: –I have talked to many professors, graduate students, and postdocs –I have a research position supported by a grant –I did well in courses (GPA > 3.5) and have ~24 credits –I passed the GWE in January, or at least have confidence in passing this August

Individuals are different Depending on where you are now, you may want to be more or less ambitious –Your undergrad preparation level is somewhat less complete than others –You already have a Master ’ s degree and have taken many courses similar to our 5000-level classes

2 nd year Take the rest of the required courses (40 credits total) –8000-level courses (8 credits) –Take seminars in your field of research –Do some research if previous summer worked out well –Look for a new adviser if previous summer adviser did not work out –If you have an advanced background, this may be your first-year agenda

Masters Degree For whatever reason, if the PhD is not for you, should obtain a Master ’ s by the end of your 2 nd year. Need an adviser –Plan A requires a thesis –Plan B requires either a project or 3 papers –Plan C requires GPA of 3.3 and pass GWE

Masters Degree If you don ’ t pass the GWE by August 2013, prepare to obtain a Master ’ s degree as a back-up –Need an adviser –Plan A requires a thesis –Plan B requires either a project or 3 papers –With this preparation you can petition for a 3 rd /4 th try on the GWE

Intermission Please be back in 10 minutes.

By 2 nd summer Passed GWE (at least taken once for MS) Finished taking courses (except a few seminars) –Some of the theory students may be taking more classes in the 3 rd year Started serious research (finished or almost finished, if MS) Getting ready to take Oral Exam –File “Degree Program” form – list all courses you have taken and plan to take –Demonstrate that you are ready to do research Annual survey will check these milestones

3 rd year and later Preliminary Oral Exam Do research Other things to do while doing your research –Thesis defense of other students –Seminars and colloquia –Conferences and workshops –Informal conversation with people in the department, related departments, visitors –Read literature Thesis proposal Write papers and thesis

Annual survey of progress Filing of proper forms –Degree Program: within 6 months of starting research –Thesis Proposal: within 6 months of preliminary oral exam to pin down what you have to do to finish your thesis research. Scheduled and passed preliminary oral exam in a timely manner? Is your expectation of what needs to be done the same as your adviser’s? If not, talk it over to come to some consensus.

ABD (All But Dissertation): Who cares? Your research adviser! After passing the preliminary oral examination and taking 24 thesis credits, you will be ABD, which incurs a much smaller overhead cost for your adviser. –He/she is more willing to give you an RA position. –You may be able to get more helium with that savings. While you take thesis credits, you have 4 extra credits you can take on other classes. –Seminar (2 are required for PhD) –Teaching class (GRAD 8101/02) –Courses taken after ABD may cost you real money

MS Requirements RequirementsM.S. (Plan A)M.S. (Plan B)M.S. (Plan C) Total Credits Required (not including thesis credits) Thesis Credits Required1000 Major Courses Required 14 credits, including either 5001/2 or 5011/2 5001/2, 5011/2, and 5201 Minor or Supporting Program Credits* 6 credits Minimum GPA Graduate Written ExamTake Once Must Pass Preliminary Oral ExamNA File Degree ProgramAfter 10 credits File Thesis Title/Proposal Register thesis title when distributed to reviewers NA Time LimitsNot more than 7 years Transfer credits Not more than 40% of program Preliminary and Final Oral Committee 3 members: 2 from major field, 1 from minor or related fields NA Thesis reviewersAll members of oral committee NA

PhD Requirements RequirementsPhD Total Credits Required (not including thesis credits)40 Thesis Credits Required24 Major Courses Required5001/2, 5011/2, 5201, and 5072 for TAs Minor or Supporting Program Credits*12 credits Minimum GPA3.3 in the required courses Graduate Written ExamPass by Fall 2nd year Preliminary Oral ExamPass by end of 3rd year File Degree ProgramBefore taking the Preliminary Oral Exam File Thesis Title/ProposalFile thesis proposal after passing Preliminary Oral Exam Time LimitsNot more than 5 years after completing Preliminary Oral Exam Transfer creditsNo limit, must be approved by DGS Preliminary and Final Oral Committee 4 members: 3 from major field (advisor plus an experimentalist and a theorist in the same subfield of physics) and 1 with an appointment outside physics. Thesis reviewers 3 reviewers, including committee member from outside physics. Thesis must be approved one week before defense

Social Aspects Grad  (  ) graduate student organization. Provides good peer support to all students. –Social events –Conduit of useful information that professors and DGS are not aware of (or students don’t want us to know!) WIPA (Women in Physics/Astro) SPS – equivalent organization for undergraduates Sport teams –Soccer, softball, broomball, ping-pong, badminton Any other ideas to make the atmosphere of the department even better are welcomed.

Time to Graduation Median length of time to graduate = 5.7 years Time to graduate depends on external factors such as –scope of project –funding approval as well as on factors you have a control over such as –how hard you work –how organized you are

Racing to the checked flag / finish line.

After graduation Nationwide initial employment of physics PhDs Academic58% Government19% Private sector19% Other4%

After graduation Nationwide starting salaries of physics PhDs Academic$40-57K Government$55-102K Private sector$74-101K

After graduation Nationwide statistics for physics PhDs Physics Today, August 2013 Number of degrees1600 Number of faculty hires My personal philosophy is to achieve all that you can, be the best that you can, follow your own path, and don’t be obliged to fit into somebody else’s mold of who you should be or what you should accomplish. If we don’t enjoy our profession, what is the point?

Summary You will be busy with –Taking courses –Teaching undergraduates –Doing research –Socializing Try to be balanced, seek help when you need it, and enjoy life!

Getting advice and feedback from your adviser.

Academic Adviser Your academic adviser has been assigned and need not be your research adviser for your MS or PhD. Talk to him/her whenever you have questions about life in the department. They are eager to help you solve any problems and stay on track to your MS or PhD.

Academic Adviser Meet with your adviser at least once per month! I often hear that –My students never show up after the first meeting. –My adviser is never available. If you want a 2 nd or independent opinion don’t hesitate to talk to me.

Academic Adviser Meet with your adviser tomorrow afternoon. –Make an appointment with him/her immediately if you have not already done so. Topics to cover: –Establish a good rapport. –Which classes are appropriate. –Good ways to find a research adviser to work with next summer. –Give him/her a copy of your letter which says what your goals are for the coming year and what you expect from your adviser. You should meet with your adviser at least once per month to talk about –How you have been doing. –What classes to take in the spring. If for any reason you cannot find your adviser when you need to, please see Abby or Annie or me.

When talking to your adviser Discuss what it means to be a good physicist. What does it mean when someone says “thinking like a physicist ”. Discuss the importance of “ problem solving ” in his/her professional life as well as how to live productively as a person.

Tomorrow afternoon After meeting with your adviser, register for classes and enter information for TA assignment!

Would anyone like to discuss their first year goals and what they expect from their adviser before writing their reports?