First-Year Orientation 2021

Planning information for the 2021 First-Year Orientation

Wednesday, 18 Aug

• 10:00am-11:30am Orientation (6th Floor Lounge)
  • Welcome from the Chair with Josh Bloom
  • Mentoring and advising systems with Dan Weisz
    • Faculty side of advising (we describe student side)
  • Expectations
    • Pass out academic roadmap
    • how many classes should you take?
      • classes in other departments (physics, CS, pottery, language)
      • filling your 12 units
    • when to start research and how?
      • How pick to Picking a Research Advisor meeting coming soon to a department near you
    • AY290 and AY375
      • What are they?
    • 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 - Discussion with Yasasha
      • 1st years are covered for teaching and through summer (after 1st year you need an advisor)
      • GSI vs GSR in subsequent years
      • check to make sure you are getting paid/tuition is paid each semester
  • Talks
    • lots of talks in the department
    • See also schedule of department events
    • GO TO COLLOQUIUM, THURSDAY LUNCHES AND GSPS! Also a good idea to go to at least one seminar (TAC, CIPS, cosmology)
    • mention 1 min colloquium
  • Getting set up
    • *residency info* more information at https://registrar.berkeley.edu/tuition-fees-residency/residency-tuition-purposes
    • new students read this and get set up page to look for resources
    • in the department (cubes, building access, email, printing, scanners)
    • campus resources (gym, health center, eye center, dentists, bearwalk)
    • What is Berkeley Time?
    • upcoming events reminder
      • Set up GSI / GSR onboarding HR paperwork
      • GSI orientations (Thurs 19 Aug -international, Fri 20 Aug - everyone)
      • Picking a Research Advisor meeting (in a few weeks)
      • Jobs Meeting
      • Welcome Party (????)
  • 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)
• 11:30am-11:45am GSI Union with Representative
• 11:45am-12:00pm Outreach with Emily/Casey?
• 12:00pm-1:30pm Lunch (I recommend Cancun)
• 2:00pm-4:30pm Respect is Part of Research (375 Le Conte or Zoom)