First-Year Orientation 2016

Planning information for the 2016 First-Year Orientation

Wednesday, 17 Aug

Schedule

11:00-12:00 Orientation (Lounge)
- Welcome from the Chair (Eugene ~11:00)
- Getting set up
  - residency info
  - in the department (cubes, building access, email, printing)
  - campus resources (gym, health center, eye center, dentists, bearwalk)
  - What is Berkeley Time?
  - upcoming events reminder
    - GSI orientations (Thurs 18 Aug -international, Fri 19 Aug - everyone)
    - Picking a Research Advisor meeting (in a few weeks)
    - Jobs Meeting
    - Welcome Party (????)
- Talks
  - lots of talks in the department
  - GO TO COLLOQUIUM, THURSDAY LUNCHES AND GSPS!
  - mention 1 min colloquium
- Grad Assembly (Dyas, ~11:40 p.m.)
- Classes
  - classes in other departments (physics, CS, pottery, language)
  - filling your 12 units

1:30-2:30 Orientation (Lounge)
- Mentoring and advising systems (Aaron ~1:30)
  - Faculty side of advising (we describe student side)
  - Class shepherds
- Expectations (Aaron ~1:40)
  - Pass out academic roadmap
  - how many classes should you take?
  - when to start research and how?
    - How pick to Picking a Research Advisor meeting coming soon to a department near you
  - expectations by the end of 2nd year
    - 6 core classes, 12 astro units
    - 2/3 for letter grade
  - prelim - 3 classes
    - 1 of radiation/fluids
    - other options - stars, SF, ISM, galaxies, cosmology, (planets, high energy?)
  - Funding
    - 1st years are covered for teaching
    - GSI vs GSR in subsequent years
    - check to make sure you are getting paid/tuition is paid each semester
- Information/Q&A GSI (Carina, ~2:00pm)
  - required classes (AY 375, GSI orientation, Ethics training)
  - work per class (hours per week per GSI)
- Fun Stuff to do in Berkeley
  - Outreach: Lea (~2:20 pm)
  - How to get around (Bus pass, BART), things to do in the area
  - Sierra Conference, Ski Trip, etc.