First-Year Orientation 2020

Planning information for the 2020 First-Year Orientation

Tuesday, 18 Aug

Tuesday, Aug 18:

• 9:00am-11:00am Orientation (Zoom)
  • Welcome from the Chair with Josh Bloom
  • Mentoring and advising systems with Eugene Chiang
    • Faculty side of advising (we describe student side)
  • Expectations
    • Go over academic roadmap
    • How many classes should you take?
      • 12 units/semester
      • Can I take classes in other departments (e.g., physics, CS, pottery, language)?
    • AY290 and AY375
      • What are they?
    • When to start research and how?
      • Need to have a research advisor/project lined up by next summer.
      • “How to Pick 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
      • Oral Prelim - 3 classes
        • (at most) 1 of radiation/fluids (i.e., you can't prelim in both)
        • other options - stars, galaxies, cosmology, planets, high energy, etc.
    • Funding - Any additional questions not covered in meetings w/ Yasasha?
      • 1st years are covered for teaching and through summer (after 1st year you need an advisor)
      • GSI vs GSR in subsequent years
      • Check regularly to make sure you are getting paid correctly and that your tuition & fees are paid each semester.
  • Talks
    • So many talks in the department!
    • GO TO COLLOQUIUM, “LUNCH” TALKS, AND GSPS!
      • Also a good idea to go to at least one seminar (TAC, CIPS, BCCP/Cosmology Seminar)
      • These can also count toward your required 12-units/semester.
  • Getting set up
    • *California Residency*
      • More information at https://registrar.berkeley.edu/tuition-fees-residency/residency-tuition-purposes.
      • Covid19 update here: https://registrar.berkeley.edu/service-adjustments
    • New students read this and the get set up page to look for additional resources.
    • What is Berkeley Time?
    • Fun Stuff to do in Berkeley
      • Sierra Conference, Ski Trip, etc.
      • Things to do in the area
      • How to get around (Clipper Card including buses and BART)
    • Upcoming events:
      • Set up GSI / GSR onboarding HR paperwork (?)
      • GSI Orientations (Thurs 20 Aug - international, Fri 21 Aug - everyone).
      • Respect is Part of Research (Wed 19 Aug from 8-10AM PT)
      • Ay375 GSI Bootcamp (Mon 24 Aug & Tues 25 Aug from 9-10AM PT)
      • GSPS: Jobs Meeting (Fri 28 Aug from 3-4PM PT)
      • 1 Minute Colloquium (TBD; in a few weeks)
      • Picking a Research Advisor meeting (TBD; in a few weeks)
• 10:30am-10:45pm ASE Union Presentation (w/ Nathan Sandford)
• 10:45am-11:00am Outreach Opportunities (w/ Emily Ramey and Casey Lam)
• 11:00pm-12:00pm Zoom mingling/lunch with grad students

Wednesday, Aug 19:

• 8:00am-10:00am Respect is Part of Research

• Remember to point this at BADGrads
• Give them Academic Roadmap forms