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academic_rules [2016/08/30 18:50] – michaelmedford | academic_rules [2023/10/23 19:52] (current) – [Academic rules] egardiner | ||
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=====Academic rules===== | =====Academic rules===== | ||
- | Updated | + | Updated |
[[academic_rules# | [[academic_rules# | ||
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[[Academic_rules# | [[Academic_rules# | ||
- | ==== Academic Roadmap | + | For the most up to date information, |
+ | ==== Graduate Student Handbook | ||
- | There are many components involved | + | For all mentions of policy |
- | Each semester students will fill out: | ||
- | - Classes being taken that semester (if any) | + | [[https://docs.google.com/ |
- | - Professor the student is GSRing (if any) | + | |
- | - Class the student is GSIing (if any) | + | |
- | - Funding confirmation: This could be a chartstring or just a checkmark from your advisor indicating that you are covered. If you are supported by a fellowship, you can write that. | + | |
- | After completion of the Academic Roadmap, the student must get a sign-off from their research advisor (if you have one), their academic advisor, and the head graduate advisor. If you need help remembering who your advisors are | + | [[https:// |
- | [[mentoring#record_of_assignments|take a look here]]. | + | ==== Academic Roadmap ==== |
- | Once the student has completed their form for the semester, the form must be handed | + | Students keep track of the many components involved |
{{: | {{: | ||
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{{: | {{: | ||
+ | |||
+ | Students beginning their 1st, 3rd and 5th years will fill out a new Academic Roadmap. Students beginning all other semesters must get their existing Academic Roadmap from Amber. The Roadmap should be filled in with: | ||
+ | |||
+ | - Classes being taken that semester (if any) | ||
+ | - Professor for whom the student is GSRing (if any) | ||
+ | - Class for which the student is GSIing (if any) | ||
+ | - Funding confirmation: | ||
+ | |||
+ | After completion of the Academic Roadmap, the student must get a sign-off from their research advisor (if they have one), their academic advisor, and the head graduate advisor. If you need help remembering who your advisors are | ||
+ | [[mentoring: | ||
+ | |||
+ | Once the student has completed their form for the semester, the form must be handed in to Amber or the mailbox of the head graduate advisor for storage until it is needed for the next semester. | ||
==== Degree Requirements ==== | ==== Degree Requirements ==== | ||
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- [[Academic_rules# | - [[Academic_rules# | ||
- | - Astronomy | + | - Astronomy |
- | - A total of 6 graduate (or equivalent) courses, 3 of which are from the Astronomy Dept. | + | - A total of 6 graduate (or equivalent) courses. Take courses relevant to a student |
- Teaching | - Teaching | ||
- | - Two semesters | + | - Two semesters, with the normal teaching load being a 50% appointment (~20 hours per week expected). |
+ | - During their first semester teaching, students enroll in AY375 (or equivalent, with permission), | ||
- [[Academic_rules# | - [[Academic_rules# | ||
- Thesis (signed by committee) | - Thesis (signed by committee) | ||
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==PhD Courses== | ==PhD Courses== | ||
- | A Ph. D. student is expected to complete six classes at the graduate | + | A Ph.D. student is expected to complete six classes at the graduate |
- | level or their equivalent. | + | level or their equivalent. |
- | in the department. This is in addition to the research seminar | + | |
[[Academic_rules## | [[Academic_rules## | ||
==Teaching== | ==Teaching== | ||
All candidates for the Ph.D. in Astronomy must acquire two semesters | All candidates for the Ph.D. in Astronomy must acquire two semesters | ||
- | of teaching experience during their graduate career, whether or not compensated. | + | of teaching experience during their graduate career. |
- | It is desirable | + | It is recommended |
- | career (within the first two years)**//, but it may be delayed for those international students who have | + | |
- | not acquired adequate command of English, or other reasons, at the discretion | + | |
- | of the Chairperson. The requirement may be waived for transfer students | + | |
- | who have acquired similar teaching experience elsewhere. | + | |
==Examinations== | ==Examinations== | ||
All candidates must pass two oral examinations administered by the faculty. | All candidates must pass two oral examinations administered by the faculty. | ||
- | The preliminary examination | + | The preliminary examination |
academic year of study and focuses on basic competency in three subfields | academic year of study and focuses on basic competency in three subfields | ||
- | selected by the student. The qualifying examination | + | selected by the student. The qualifying examination |
- | by the end of the fourth academic year of study and is composed of a review | + | by the end of the summer after the fourth academic year of study and is composed of a review |
- | of a thesis topic and an examination of a student' | + | of a thesis topic and an examination of a student' |
- | her research subfield. Students entering with a Master' | + | |
equivalent may have the preliminary examination requirement waived subject | equivalent may have the preliminary examination requirement waived subject | ||
- | to the discretion | + | to the approval |
==Thesis== | ==Thesis== | ||
The thesis is an original piece of research carried out by the candidate | The thesis is an original piece of research carried out by the candidate | ||
- | under the supervision of a thesis adviser and two other faculty members | + | under the supervision of a thesis adviser and two other faculty members. The Graduate Division has |
- | (one of whom must be from another discipline). The Graduate Division has | + | |
published [[http:// | published [[http:// | ||
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must have been continuously registered since entering (allowing for one | must have been continuously registered since entering (allowing for one | ||
year of approved withdrawal), | year of approved withdrawal), | ||
- | the one in which the Filing Fee is requested. | + | the one in which the Filing Fee is requested. You must register each semester |
before the end of the third week of classes. | before the end of the third week of classes. | ||
===Master' | ===Master' | ||
- | Students | + | Students |
- | //\\ \\ | + | - Successfully passed their Preliminary Exam. |
- | Our students are under plan II which requires | + | - Completed |
- | \\ \\ | + | - Maintained a 3.0 cumulative GPA on the basis of all upper division (if any are taken during graduate schools) and graduate courses |
- | At least 12 units must be in graduate | + | |
- | \\ \\ | + | |
- | Courses in the 300 series do not count in the unit requirements. | + | Students are normally not admitted for the Master' |
- | \\ \\ | + | |
- | For master' | + | |
- | \\ \\ | + | |
- | This covers the department and University requirements towards the Master of Art degree in Astrophysics. | + | |
- | \\ \\ // | + | |
- | Students are normally not admitted for the Master' | + | |
- | may find it worthwhile to add to their record //en route// to the Ph.D. | + | |
- | Once these requirements have been fulfilled, the student should see the | + | |
- | Student Affairs Officer | + | |
- | Master's Degree. | + | |
====Courses==== | ====Courses==== | ||
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and specific research work by engaging in a program of courses. It is strongly | and specific research work by engaging in a program of courses. It is strongly | ||
recommended that these be drawn from the following basic courses: | recommended that these be drawn from the following basic courses: | ||
- | * Astronomy 201 Radiative Processes in Astronomy | ||
- | * Astronomy 202 Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics | ||
* Astronomy 203 Astrophysical Techniques | * Astronomy 203 Astrophysical Techniques | ||
- | * Astronomy 204 Numerical Techniques in Astronomy | ||
- | * Astronomy 216 Interstellar Matter | ||
- | * Astronomy 217 Radiative Astrophysics: | ||
* Astronomy 218 Stellar Dynamics and Galactic Structure | * Astronomy 218 Stellar Dynamics and Galactic Structure | ||
+ | * Astronomy C202 Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics | ||
+ | * Astronomy C207 Radiative Processes in Astronomy | ||
* Astronomy C228 Extragalactic Astronomy and Physical Cosmology | * Astronomy C228 Extragalactic Astronomy and Physical Cosmology | ||
- | * Astronomy C249 Solar System | + | * Astronomy C249 Planetary |
- | * Astronomy | + | * Astronomy |
* Astronomy C254 High Energy Astrophysics | * Astronomy C254 High Energy Astrophysics | ||
* Astronomy 255 Computational Astrophysics | * Astronomy 255 Computational Astrophysics | ||
+ | * Astronomy 256 Astronomy Data Lab | ||
* Astronomy 267 Plasma Astrophysics | * Astronomy 267 Plasma Astrophysics | ||
* Astronomy 290AB -- The Introduction to Current Research seminar is required of all students in their first year. This consists of weekly lectures by different faculty members and research staff, and introduces the student to current research being carried out in the Department and nearby Labs. (This course is not a prelim topic.) | * Astronomy 290AB -- The Introduction to Current Research seminar is required of all students in their first year. This consists of weekly lectures by different faculty members and research staff, and introduces the student to current research being carried out in the Department and nearby Labs. (This course is not a prelim topic.) | ||
- | ===Recommended Courses=== | + | === Sample |
- | * Astronomy 298 -- Tutorials are recommended for all students at times until the Qualifying Examination has been passed. Depending on the time commitment, students may sign up for one or two units per semester. This, along with participation in seminars, can be a primary mechanism for advancing your knowledge and developing skills. It depends on Faculty availability. | + | |
- | * Astronomy 300 -- Instruction Techniques in General Astronomy | + | Here is an example of how the Department course offerings might look: |
+ | |||
+ | Sample 3 Year Schedule | ||
+ | ^ Fall 1 ^ Spring 1 ^ Fall 2 ^ Spring 2 ^ Fall 3 ^ Spring 3 ^ | ||
+ | | Radiation | ||
+ | | High Energy | Cosmology | Galaxies | Stars | High Energy | Cosmology | | ||
+ | | Planets | ||
===Outside Course Option=== | ===Outside Course Option=== | ||
- | A formal requirement no longer exists | + | In some cases, it may be beneficial |
- | Nonetheless, the Dept. still feels it would be valuable | + | |
- | outside courses at the advanced graduate level (200 level and above). These | + | Some examples are: |
- | courses | + | * Computer Science 289A Introduction |
- | Up to four courses could be taken instead on the 100-200 | + | * Computer Science 281A Statistical Learning Theory (like above but better because there are no undergrads) |
- | for half a graduate | + | * Physics 288 Bayesian Data Analysis |
- | course | + | * Physics 242A Theoretical Plasma Physics |
- | background and provide a broad base for future work. These courses count | + | * Physics 231 General Relativity |
- | towards the overall course requirement (up to 3 full courses). Each student' | + | |
- | course list must be approved by a Graduate Adviser. There is no specific | + | |
- | list of allowable courses; the full variety of offerings should be used | + | |
- | to greatest advantage. For students who do not yet have definite ideas, | + | |
- | this [[academic_rules: | + | |
- | includes the basic ``bread-and-butter'' | + | |
- | science. However, the list should not be regarded as restrictive. | + | |
====Exams==== | ====Exams==== | ||
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===Preliminary Examination=== | ===Preliminary Examination=== | ||
The Prelim is an oral examination conducted by three members of the Department | The Prelim is an oral examination conducted by three members of the Department | ||
- | appropriate for the fields in which the student will be examined. The Exam | + | appropriate for the fields in which the student will be examined. The Prelim |
- | may be taken at any time the student chooses, subject to the regulations | + | may be taken at any time the student chooses |
- | listed | + | listed in the Graduate Student Handbook (also on [[Prelim |
- | the Department Chair at least one month in advance of the proposed date | + | |
- | concerning the topics and the Prelim Committee. | + | |
- | The examination will be at the general level of the graduate core courses. | + | |
- | Normally, the topics consist of three fields chosen from among the list | + | |
- | of courses | + | |
- | choose to be examined in another topic at a comparable level of difficulty. | + | |
- | Typically, the topics | + | |
- | a preliminary exam topic. In the past, other topics have included: | + | |
- | + | ||
- | * Stellar Atmospheres | + | |
- | * Stellar Structure & Evolution | + | |
- | * Stellar Dynamics & Galactic Structure | + | |
- | * The Sun | + | |
- | The prelim is subject to the following rules: | + | |
- | - The student must attempt the Prelim | + | |
- | - In order to remain in the Department a student must pass the Prelim within six months after the end of the second academic year. | + | |
- | - The student' | + | |
- | - The student must pass all three areas in order to pass the Examination. A pass is equivalent to the level of performance meriting a " | + | |
- | - The student selects one member of the committee to serve as the Chair of the Committee. This Chairperson is responsible for timing the examination and any necessary paperwork following the examination. The student selects the order in which the topics are examined. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | The Student Affairs Officer maintains a comprehensive list of all topics and questions asked during the preliminary examination. Typically, each topic is alotted 40 minutes of questions for a total of two hours. | + | |
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The purpose of the Qualifying Exam is to show that the student is ready | The purpose of the Qualifying Exam is to show that the student is ready | ||
- | to begin thesis work. The "qual" is an oral examination at which a Committee | + | to begin thesis work. The "Qual" is an oral examination at which a Committee |
- | of four faculty members examines the student in depth on three topics pertinent | + | of four or five faculty members examines the student in depth on three topics pertinent |
- | to the student' | + | to the student' |
- | student | + | |
- | interrupted by questions, and is followed by general knowledge questioning. | + | |
- | The three topics are often chosen to lead the discussion from a broad subject | + | |
- | foundation to the specific area of investigation in proposed research. | + | |
- | One intent of the exam is to explore the student' | + | |
- | a thesis and the feasibility of the proposed research as to definition | + | |
- | of questions and methods and as to time for completion. The exam also has | + | |
- | a broader goal concerning the student' | + | |
- | present the material concisely and coherently including responding to probing | + | |
- | questions. | + | |
- | One member of the Committee (the " | + | Refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for instructions |
- | Berkeley faculty (i.e., a member | + | |
- | Senate) with NO appointment in the Astronomy Department. The Chair, or | + | |
- | designated Head Graduate Advisor, and the student' | + | |
- | aid in the selection of the outside | + | |
- | cannot serve as Chair of the Committee. The Committee Chair is selected | + | |
- | by the Department Chair/Head Graduate Advisor. The Committee Chair' | + | |
- | is supervisory during the exam. The Qualifying Exam is required by the | + | |
- | University in order to get the Ph.D. degree - no exceptions are allowed! | + | |
- | Department policy is that the Qualifying Exam must be taken no later than | + | |
- | the end of four calendar years of graduate study, unless a specific exemption | + | |
- | is granted by the Chair/Head Graduate Advisor. If not passed | + | |
- | try, a second attempt must be made within six months. Graduate division | + | |
- | policy | + | |
- | [[http:// | + | |
- | See also a letter in 2002 [[http:// | + | |
The Qualifying Exam is required by the University in order to get | The Qualifying Exam is required by the University in order to get | ||
the Ph.D. degree - no exceptions are allowed! | the Ph.D. degree - no exceptions are allowed! | ||
- | must submit an application to the Graduate Division at least one month | + | must submit an application to the Graduate Division at least three weeks |
//in advance// of the proposed date of the exam. See the Student Affairs Officer for an application form. | //in advance// of the proposed date of the exam. See the Student Affairs Officer for an application form. | ||
Department policy is that the Qualifying Exam must be taken no later | Department policy is that the Qualifying Exam must be taken no later | ||
- | than the end of four calendar | + | than the end of the summer after four academic |
- | exemption is granted by the Head Graduate Adviser. If not passed on the | + | exemption is granted by the Head Graduate Adviser |
first try, a second attempt must be made within six months. | first try, a second attempt must be made within six months. | ||
- | |||
- | |||
===Candidacy=== | ===Candidacy=== | ||
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candidacy, bearing in mind the filing fee regulations discussed under the | candidacy, bearing in mind the filing fee regulations discussed under the | ||
registration requirements. | registration requirements. | ||
+ | |||
===Normative Time to Degree=== | ===Normative Time to Degree=== | ||
- | The Department has established six years as the Normative Time to Degree. | + | Normative Time refers |
- | Normative Time is the elapsed | + | |
- | circumstances will be needed | + | |
- | assuming a student | + | |
- | uninterrupted study, and who is making desirable progress toward the degree. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | After Advancement to Candidacy, the student is eligible for a Fee Offset | + | |
- | Grant, for which the student must apply to the Graduate Division. Rules | + | |
- | regarding this may be obtained from the Graduate | + | |
====Advising==== | ====Advising==== | ||
- | The Chair will act as adviser for first year graduate students. | + | The Head Graduate Advisor |
- | first year students will be assigned a faculty member | + | |
- | This adviser | + | |
- | student. Students | + | |
- | Qualifying Examination has been passed. Once a thesis topic has been found, | + | |
- | a Thesis Committee with 4 members (including one outside | + | |
- | formed by the student. This is typically the same as the Qualifying Examination | + | |
- | committee. | + |