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| graduate_handbook:introduction [2024/12/13 20:37] – [School Activities] vinals | graduate_handbook:introduction [2025/04/02 10:49] (current) – [Tuition and Related Issues] vinals |
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| This Graduate Student Handbook covers general information about our program, of what to expect each year during your physics graduate studies at the University of Minnesota, and summarizes the various requirements to completing a degree program. | This Graduate Student Handbook covers general information about our program, of what to expect each year during your physics graduate studies at the University of Minnesota, and summarizes the various requirements to completing a degree program. |
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| We have made every effort to make the academic information given in this handbook consistent with the [[https://umtc.catalog.prod.coursedog.com/programs/067660207|University Catalog]]. If you find any errors or misleading statements in this Handbook, please bring them to the attention of the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), or to the Graduate Program Coordinator (GPC). | We have made every effort to make the academic information given in this handbook consistent with the [[https://umtc.catalog.prod.coursedog.com/programs/067660207|University Catalog]]. If you find any errors or misleading statements in this Handbook, please bring them to the attention of the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), or of the Graduate Program Coordinator (GPC). |
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| ====== Introduction ====== | ====== Introduction ====== |
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| ===== Advising ===== | ===== Advising ===== |
| When you first arrive, you are assigned an **academic adviser** to guide you in course selection and other related academic matters. Communicate with him/her as often as you feel necessary to make sure you are on the right track; at least once every semester. If your academic adviser is not available and you need assistance, contact the DGS or the GPC. | When you first arrive, you are assigned an **academic adviser** to guide you in course selection and other related academic matters. It is your responsibility to reach out to your adviser so as to communicate with him/her as often as you feel necessary to make sure you are on the right track. It is recommended that you speak with your academic adviser at least once every semester. If your academic adviser is not available and you need assistance, contact the DGS or the GPC. |
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| In due course, you will find a **research adviser** who will be the person responsible for guiding you during the research phase of your education. We do expect that you will find a research adviser before the end of your second year. Although changes can and do occur after that, the ideal arrangement involves you having settled into a particular research group by the end of the second year. | The offer of a research fellowship in your first Summer in our program is contingent on (a) you spending the Summer on Campus, and (b) you conducting research with one of the faculty members of the School of Physics and Astronomy. This Summer adviser assignment is temporary, and meant to give you exposure to research and to a research group. |
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| Note that we offer a research fellowship in your first Summer in our program if (a) you spend the Summer on Campus, and (b) you conduct research with one of the faculty members of the School of Physics and Astronomy. This Summer adviser assignment is temporary, and meant to give you exposure to research and to a research group. Some students continue their Ph.D. research under the same adviser, others do not. | |
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| ===== Teaching ===== | ===== Teaching ===== |
| Keep in mind, however, that since your primary role in our program is the conduct research, you need to learn to balance your effort in teaching and research. Balancing among different efforts is another component of your professional training. | Keep in mind, however, that since your primary role in our program is the conduct research, you need to learn to balance your effort in teaching and research. Balancing among different efforts is another component of your professional training. |
| ===== Tuition and Related Issues ===== | ===== Tuition and Related Issues ===== |
| Almost all graduate students in our School are financially supported by an assistantship or a fellowship. Tuition is paid by the School for all teaching assistants (TA's), by a research grant for all research assistants (RA's), and by the University or other organization for fellows. All students financially supported by the school receive medical insurance coverage (for themselves and their families). | Almost all graduate students in our School are financially supported by an assistantship or a fellowship. Tuition is paid by the School for all teaching assistants (TA's), by a research grant for all research assistants (RA's), and by the University or other organization for fellows. All students financially supported by the school are offered medical insurance coverage (for themselves and their dependents). Current details are as follows: |
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| Further details and policies are given [[graduate_handbook:physics_graduate_policies#tuition|in the Physics Graduate Policies]] section. | Further information and relevant policies can be found [[graduate_handbook:physics_graduate_policies#tuition|in the Physics Graduate Policies]] section. |
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| The School conducts a large number of events and activities, and also sponsors two graduate student groups that organize their own set of activities, ∇Φ [[https://sites.google.com/umn.edu/gradphi/home|(Grad Phi)]] and [[https://sites.google.com/umn.edu/wipaumn/about-us|W+iPA]]. | The School conducts a large number of events and activities, and also sponsors two graduate student groups that organize their own set of activities, ∇Φ [[https://sites.google.com/umn.edu/gradphi/home|(Grad Phi)]] and [[https://sites.google.com/umn.edu/wipaumn/about-us|W+iPA]]. |
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| The most important activity of academic nature is the weekly Physics Colloquium. Invited speakers talk about state of the art research in their field at an introductory level appropriate for beginning graduate students. The Colloquium is followed by refreshments to offer an informal setting for students to meet the speaker and other faculty members. | The most important activity of academic nature is the weekly Physics Colloquium. Invited speakers talk about state of the art research in their field at an introductory level appropriate for beginning graduate students. The Colloquium is followed by refreshments to offer an informal setting for students to meet the speaker and other faculty members. Often, lunch with the speaker is hosted by ∇Φ to facilitate informal interactions with the visitors. |
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| The School hosts also hosts two annual public lectures: [[https://cse.umn.edu/physics/abigail-and-john-van-vleck-lectures|the Van Vleck Lecture]] and the [[https://cse.umn.edu/ftpi/misel-family-public-lecture-series|Misel Family Lecture]]. Both feature a speaker who has made a significant contribution to the progress of science. The level of the lecture is accessible by the lay public. Students have an opportunity to meet with the speaker in an informal setting. | The School hosts also hosts two annual public lectures: [[https://cse.umn.edu/physics/abigail-and-john-van-vleck-lectures|the Van Vleck Lecture]] and the [[https://cse.umn.edu/ftpi/misel-family-public-lecture-series|Misel Family Lecture]]. Both feature a speaker who has made a significant contribution to the progress of science. The level of the lecture is accessible by the lay public. Students have an opportunity to meet with the speaker in an informal setting. |
| One graduate student led organization, ∇Φ [[https://sites.google.com/umn.edu/gradphi/home|(Grad Phi)]] both organizes social events, and provides a forum for the discussion of topics of interest to our graduate students. All graduate students are encouraged to get involved. In addition, ∇Φ nominates graduate students to serve on some of the faculty committees which develop the policies that govern the School. | One graduate student led organization, ∇Φ [[https://sites.google.com/umn.edu/gradphi/home|(Grad Phi)]] both organizes social events, and provides a forum for the discussion of topics of interest to our graduate students. All graduate students are encouraged to get involved. In addition, ∇Φ nominates graduate students to serve on some of the faculty committees which develop the policies that govern the School. |
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| The organization Women in Physics and Astronomy [[https://sites.google.com/umn.edu/wipaumn/about-us|W+iPA]] group was established to specifically focus on gender minority issues in the school. They generally pursue the goals of improving the School climate, and of increasing graduate level enrollment, retention, and graduation rates. | The organization Women and Gender Minorities in Physics and Astronomy [[https://sites.google.com/umn.edu/wipaumn/about-us|W+iPA]] group was established to specifically focus on gender minority issues in the school. They generally pursue the goals of improving the School climate, and of increasing graduate level enrollment, retention, and graduation rates. They work to build strong ties within the graduate student and postdoc community, develop professional and personal connections to faculty minoritized by gender, and collaborate on events with undergraduate women and gender minorities in the department." |
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| ===== Career development ===== | ===== Career development ===== |
| A physics degree opens many doors in academia, industry, and in government laboratories. One year before graduation, students should discuss possible job options with their advisers. In a survey of 106 recent graduates, we found 35% went into research at an academic institution (postdoc), 27% worked in industry, 6% worked in government laboratories, 24% went into teaching positions at colleges and universities, while 6% went into the financial industry. The type of job you seek depends on your own goals and aspirations as well as the experience you have gained as a graduate student. | A physics degree opens many doors in academia, industry, and in government laboratories. One year before graduation, students should discuss possible job options with their advisers. In a survey of 106 recent graduates, we found 35% went into research at an academic institution (postdoc), 27% worked in industry, 6% worked in government laboratories, 24% went into teaching positions at colleges and universities, while 6% went into the financial industry. The type of job you seek depends on your own goals and aspirations, as well as the experience you have gained as a graduate student. |
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| The School of Physics and Astronomy has a [[https://cse.umn.edu/physics/careers-physics-and-astronomy|career development effort]], and the College of Science and Engineering maintains a [[https://cse.umn.edu/college/career-center|Career Center]] at 105 Lind Hall (612 624-4090). If you are interested in an industrial position at either the M.S. or the Ph.D. level, you should register with their Placement Office. They are continually visited by recruiters from high technology companies (and others) both locally and nationally. | The School of Physics and Astronomy has a [[https://cse.umn.edu/physics/careers-physics-and-astronomy|career development effort]], and the College of Science and Engineering maintains a [[https://cse.umn.edu/college/career-center|Career Center]] at 105 Lind Hall (612 624-4090). If you are interested in an industrial position at either the M.S. or the Ph.D. level, you should register with their Placement Office. They are continually visited by recruiters from high technology companies (and others) both locally and nationally. |