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prelim [2022/05/19 21:02] – jacobpilawaprelim [2023/10/23 19:53] (current) – [PRELIM RULES] egardiner
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 ====== PRELIM RULES ====== ====== PRELIM RULES ======
  
-This section summarizes and distills the department's official policy on the preliminary examination. The next section on this page contains advice from past graduate student's on tackling the prelim process. Please check the [[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AXXY5OXicQGNIi7OKjoCD5HYGwQ8yNsiHXxJ_f6EVEo/edit#|Grad Student Handbook]] for official policy!+This section summarizes and distills the department's official policy on the preliminary examination. The next section on this page contains advice from past graduate student's on tackling the prelim process. Please check the [[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AXXY5OXicQGNIi7OKjoCD5HYGwQ8yNsiHXxJ_f6EVEo/edit?usp=sharing|8/8/2023 Student Handbook]] for official policy!
  
-==== Overview ====+===== Overview =====
  
  The Prelim is an oral examination conducted by three members of the Department appropriate for the fields in which the student will be examined. It consists of three topics.  Typically, each topic is allotted ~40 minutes of questions for a total of 2-3 hours (given breaks, discussion time, etc).  Students can choose the committee and order in which the exams are administered.   The Exam may be taken at any time the student chooses, subject to the regulations listed below.  Per Grad Div policy, the Prelim rules are decided by the Astronomy faculty, whereas rules of the Qual (see below) are set by Grad Div.  The Prelim is an oral examination conducted by three members of the Department appropriate for the fields in which the student will be examined. It consists of three topics.  Typically, each topic is allotted ~40 minutes of questions for a total of 2-3 hours (given breaks, discussion time, etc).  Students can choose the committee and order in which the exams are administered.   The Exam may be taken at any time the student chooses, subject to the regulations listed below.  Per Grad Div policy, the Prelim rules are decided by the Astronomy faculty, whereas rules of the Qual (see below) are set by Grad Div.
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 The primary purpose of the Prelim is for a student to master the fundamentals of a broad slate of topics in astrophysics. A student should speak comfortably, knowledgeably, and quantitatively about the topics tested and demonstrate that their level of understanding is sufficient to understand, and to place in context, a typical department-wide colloquium in astrophysics. Another purpose of the exam is to develop the skill of thinking on one’s feet: to perform rough but quantitative estimates in real time, on the board if necessary, and to reason using physics and mathematics. The primary purpose of the Prelim is for a student to master the fundamentals of a broad slate of topics in astrophysics. A student should speak comfortably, knowledgeably, and quantitatively about the topics tested and demonstrate that their level of understanding is sufficient to understand, and to place in context, a typical department-wide colloquium in astrophysics. Another purpose of the exam is to develop the skill of thinking on one’s feet: to perform rough but quantitative estimates in real time, on the board if necessary, and to reason using physics and mathematics.
  
-==== Timeline ====+===== Timeline =====
  
 Students must attempt the Prelim by the end of their 2nd summer at Berkeley.  The timeline may be slightly different for transfer students and should be discussed with the HGA.  The process for scheduling the Prelim is: Students must attempt the Prelim by the end of their 2nd summer at Berkeley.  The timeline may be slightly different for transfer students and should be discussed with the HGA.  The process for scheduling the Prelim is:
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 The choice of topics and Prelim Committee members must be approved by the HGA at least 3 weeks in advance of the proposed date of the exam.  It is recommended that students begin planning for their Prelim (e.g., asking committee members to serve) 1 semester in advance of their planned exam date. The choice of topics and Prelim Committee members must be approved by the HGA at least 3 weeks in advance of the proposed date of the exam.  It is recommended that students begin planning for their Prelim (e.g., asking committee members to serve) 1 semester in advance of their planned exam date.
  
-==== Topics ====+===== Topics =====
  
 Students select three topics, generally from their [[https://badgrads.berkeley.edu/doku.php?id=academic_rules:core|core courses]], though they may choose to be examined in another topic at a comparable level of difficulty, subject to HGA approval and the agreement of a senate faculty member to serve as an examiner.   Occasionally, the topics of a special topics class (AY 250) may be used as an exam topic. Some non-standard topics have included: Students select three topics, generally from their [[https://badgrads.berkeley.edu/doku.php?id=academic_rules:core|core courses]], though they may choose to be examined in another topic at a comparable level of difficulty, subject to HGA approval and the agreement of a senate faculty member to serve as an examiner.   Occasionally, the topics of a special topics class (AY 250) may be used as an exam topic. Some non-standard topics have included:
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 It is possible for students to take an upper level undergraduate version of a class and use that for the prelim.  For example, taking undergrad stars could serve as the basis for a prelim.  This is an exception to normal practice and should only be considered in very unusual circumstances.  This exception must be approved by the HGA well in advance of taking the prelim and related classes. It is possible for students to take an upper level undergraduate version of a class and use that for the prelim.  For example, taking undergrad stars could serve as the basis for a prelim.  This is an exception to normal practice and should only be considered in very unusual circumstances.  This exception must be approved by the HGA well in advance of taking the prelim and related classes.
  
-==== Committee ====+===== Committee =====
  
 Prelim committee members are usually drawn from all instructors of the core Astronomy graduate courses.  They are usually, but not always, members of the Academic Senate.  A student’s prelim committee member need not have been the student’s instructor for a core course.  The student should ask one member to serve as chair.  Faculty will make good faith efforts to accommodate requests to administer Prelim exams, but they may not be able to do so (e.g., sabbatical, conflicts, not sufficiently familiar with topic for purposes of the Prelim, personal reasons); in such cases another examiner must be located or a different topic should be pursued.  It is important to ask potential committee members well in advance if they will be able to administer the Prelim.  It is recommended that students begin planning their Prelim one semester in advance. Prelim committee members are usually drawn from all instructors of the core Astronomy graduate courses.  They are usually, but not always, members of the Academic Senate.  A student’s prelim committee member need not have been the student’s instructor for a core course.  The student should ask one member to serve as chair.  Faculty will make good faith efforts to accommodate requests to administer Prelim exams, but they may not be able to do so (e.g., sabbatical, conflicts, not sufficiently familiar with topic for purposes of the Prelim, personal reasons); in such cases another examiner must be located or a different topic should be pursued.  It is important to ask potential committee members well in advance if they will be able to administer the Prelim.  It is recommended that students begin planning their Prelim one semester in advance.
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 To avoid possible biases and conflicts of interest, it is strongly recommended, but not required, that the student’s major research adviser not serve on the Prelim Committee.  This may be challenging to avoid if only a small number of faculty are available to administer the Prelim in a given period. In consultation with the HGA, alternate prelim committee members should be considered in such cases before adding a research advisor to the committee.  A research advisor is not allowed to chair a student’s Prelim committee under any circumstance. To avoid possible biases and conflicts of interest, it is strongly recommended, but not required, that the student’s major research adviser not serve on the Prelim Committee.  This may be challenging to avoid if only a small number of faculty are available to administer the Prelim in a given period. In consultation with the HGA, alternate prelim committee members should be considered in such cases before adding a research advisor to the committee.  A research advisor is not allowed to chair a student’s Prelim committee under any circumstance.
  
-==== Evaluation, Outcomes, Retakes ====+===== Evaluation, Outcomes, Retakes =====
  
 Each exam is graded separately.   The possible outcomes are:  Each exam is graded separately.   The possible outcomes are: 
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-==== Questions ====+===== Questions =====
  
 Faculty will make a good faith effort to record questions during each Prelim. Following each exam, faculty will make a good faith effort to send questions transmitted to the GSAO for preserving the record. Note that for various reasons this will result in an exhaustive, but not necessarily complete list of questions.  Questions will be available upon request once an entire cohort (e.g., all 2nd year students) have completed their Prelims (including retakes).  Students are not allowed to informally share questions that are under embargo; this would be considered a violation of the University student code of conduct. Faculty will make a good faith effort to record questions during each Prelim. Following each exam, faculty will make a good faith effort to send questions transmitted to the GSAO for preserving the record. Note that for various reasons this will result in an exhaustive, but not necessarily complete list of questions.  Questions will be available upon request once an entire cohort (e.g., all 2nd year students) have completed their Prelims (including retakes).  Students are not allowed to informally share questions that are under embargo; this would be considered a violation of the University student code of conduct.
  
-==== Official Prelim Advice ====+===== Official Prelim Advice =====
  
   * Begin Prelim planning well in advance.  It is recommended that planning begin 1 semester prior to the proposed exam date.   * Begin Prelim planning well in advance.  It is recommended that planning begin 1 semester prior to the proposed exam date.

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