Overview of Physics Graduate Program

Joe Kapusta

19 August 2013

Anticipation

Outline• Cast of characters• Academic adviser versus research adviser• Available resources when times get tough• Foci of your life in physics

– Research– Courses– Teaching– Other

• Where to find information and help• Expectations year by year• Statistics• Summary

Cast of Characters• You• Your peers and senior

students (140+).– Mentor TAs– Grad Phi, WIPA

• Professors (50+)– Research and academic

advisers– Teachers of classes you take– Boss of classes you teach

• Abby Schraufnagel (Specialist for graduate program)

• Ron Poling (Head) • Julie Murphy (Assistant to the

Head)• Cindy Cattell (Associate Head)• Ginny Olson (Administrator -

financial)• Brian Andersson (demonstration

room)• Sean Albiston (lab services

coordinator)• Jeremy Manns (Director of

Undergraduate Studies)• Annie Bartels (Assistant to the

Head for student programs)• To Be Hired (Specialist for

undergraduate program)

Academic Adviser

• Your academic adviser has been assigned and need not be your research adviser for your MS or PhD.

• Talk to him/her whenever you have questions about life in the department.

• They are eager to help you solve any problems so that you stay on track to your MS or PhD.

Academic Adviser

• Meet with your adviser at least once per month!

• I oftentimes hear that:– My students never show up after the first

meeting.– My adviser is never available.

• If you want a 2nd or independent opinion don’t hesitate to talk to me.

• We will discuss this more in the afternoon.

Research Adviser

• Must be a member of the Physics Graduate Faculty, meaning they could be a:

• Regular faculty member in Physics

• Member of FTPI (Fine Theoretical Physics Institute)

• Member of MIfA (Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics)

• Member of another department within CSE (College of Science and Engineering)

If you are experiencing problems...

– Course work• Course level is not right• Professor is not helpful• His/her teaching style does

not match with your learning style

• Need better study habits

– Teaching• Takes too much time• Teaching seminar is not

helping• Trouble with students• Trouble with professor

– Research• Conflict with adviser

– Personal• Health• Emotional• Financial• Social

… you can talk to:

• Classmates• Other TA in the same section or other

sections• Academic adviser• Any Professor• DGS• Mentor TA• Counselor

Mental Health

• Approximately 20% of the population suffer from anxiety, depression, or other emotional disorders. (How many professors have suffered or still are suffering from it?)

• It’s not unique to you, and getting professional help (counselor) is a common practice in the US.

• U of MN offers professional services to help you better manage your situation.

• Professionals can help you through counseling, medication, or both.

Helpful resources outside physics• There are many resources available outside the

department – Ombudsman’s Office (conflict resolution)– UCCS (counseling & consulting)– Disability Services– Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action– Boynton Health Center– Council of Graduate Students

• Many of these offices coordinate with one another. If you are not sure which is the most appropriate, visit one and they will tell you which is the best place to get help.

Graduate School Tips and Timeline

• Take courses (first 2-3 years)• Teach discussion and lab sessions (~ 2 years)• Pass Graduate Written Exam (GWE)

– Given in August and January– Should pass by beginning of 2nd year

• Do research (3rd year on)• Form study groups with at least one native

English speaker and one non-US citizen.• Stay sane, have fun, connect with people

The 1st year may be the most challenging

• Course work (Jackson, a bonding experience…)

• GWE (unfortunately not everyone passes)– Tomorrow and day after/August 20 & 21 (optional)– January 2014 (required if haven’t passed yet)– August 2014 (required if haven’t passed yet)

• Look for research adviser– Sell your strengths to secure a summer research

position (grades, score on GWE)– Summer support is usually available through TA

positions, research grants, fellowships• Do research in summer 2014

Courses• Typical case

– Took quantum mechanics, classical mechanics, electrodynamics, and thermodynamics/statistical mechanics as undergrad

– Fall: 5001 (quantum), 5011 (classical), 5201 (thermal)– Spring: 5002 (quantum), 5012 (classical), 4xxx (intro to xxxx)– Mathematical methods (5041) is a good optional course– 5072 (physics education) is required to make sure you keep up with

your teaching preparation

• If you did not take the above as an undergrad, consider 4001 (classical mechanics), 4002 (electrodynamics), 4101 (quantum),

4201 (thermal), 4303 (optics & acoustics).– Could delay your research and PhD by one year

• If you feel you have mastered most of the materials for the 500 level courses, consider taking advanced quantum (8001), and other 8000-level courses of your interest.

Courses to Consider in the First Year

4211* Introduction to Solid State Physics4511* Introduction to Nuclear and Particle Physics4611* Introduction to Space Physics4621* Introduction to Plasma Physics5081* Introduction to Biopolymer Physics

5001/2 Quantum Mechanics5011/2 Classical Physics (mechanics, E&M)5022 Relativity, Cosmology, and the Universe 5041 Mathematical Methods for Physics5201 Thermal and Statistical Physics5072 Best Practices in College Physics Teaching5073 Introduction to Research Seminar

* Survey Course

More on Courses

• Goal: minimum GPA of core courses

(5000 level) of 3.5.• You can register for up to 14 credits every

semester– Since you need 40 course credits to obtain PhD,

to finish them in 2 years, you should take at least 10 credits.

– More than 10 will allow you to finish earlier– Or you can take other interesting courses

• Statistics, biochemistry, neuroscience, philosophy• Various engineering or math courses

Intermission

Please be back in 10 minutes.

GWE• Given twice per year, in August and January.

You have three opportunities to take it.• It covers undergraduate physics in a

comprehensive manner and at a level of sophistication expected of graduate students.

• If you have complete mastery of junior and senior undergraduate level mechanics, electrodynamics, thermal and quantum physics, and are fully prepared, you should be able to pass it.

• Passing score is about 50%.• Should you take it tomorrow and Wednesday

Should You Take the GWE this Week?• Should take it if

– You have spent the summer preparing for it– You plan to start doing research right away, or have a master’s

degree, or have taken most of the required courses already• Should not it take if

– You don’t think you can take the shock of a poor performance• If you are confident that you will pass, there is no need to hurry

though it may be nice to get over with it– If you pass it with flying colors, congratulations, but still take

coursework seriously– Research advisers check on how well you did

• If you think you have a small chance to pass, it would be better if you study for a few months so that your level of understanding is significantly deeper than the bare minimum, and then pass the January one– Often doing TA work is good training for GWE– It helps to prepare with other students– Past GWEs are available on our web site

Research• What fields are available here?• How to find your field of interest• When and how should you start

– Look for research adviser in the spring of 2014 – Try out research in the summer of 2014– Continue during the following year at your own

pace and level if you like it.• If you do really well in the summer, you may get an RA

during the year!– Otherwise find another adviser next spring 2015.– Have final research adviser during the 2nd summer

(2015).– Pass Preliminary Oral Exam, complete all

coursework and 24 thesis credits to be ABD status.

We Care About You!

We want our students to be successful in doing research and to move on to a rewarding career. – It makes us feel good– We really care about you– We want you to succeed– It boosts our own reputation– We get paid for doing this

Our Fields of Research

• Astrophysics and cosmology: theory and experiment

• Biophysics: theory and experiment• Condensed matter physics: theory and

experiment• Elementary particle physics: theory and

experiment• Nuclear physics: theory• Physics education• Space physics: theory and experiment

Look Where You Want to Be, Not Where You Are

New Physics and Nanotechnology Building

The $83 million 4+1 story 155,000 sq. ft. building houses a 5,000 sq. ft.clean room and has offices and labs for all experimental faculty andtheir groups. Move-in will begin on November 1, 2013.

How to find a research adviser

• Talk to professors, senior graduate students, and postdocs

• Introduction to research seminar 5980

• Physics journal club 5970

• Read the journals (PRL, PRA-E, PLA-B, RMP, Nature, Science)

• Preprint archive (arXiv.org)

Where to find information:

www.physics.umn.edu

Under “Physics Intranet” look at

Advice from the DGS Physics Graduate Handbook

Annual Progress Survey• Done every spring – due March 15.

– What have you done so far?– What can you and the department do to improve what you

have not done as well as you wanted?• Opportunity for you to check your own progress and

discuss it with your adviser (academic or research)• Opportunity for us to detect if anything unusual is

happening to you– This is obviously a minimal check. It would be better if you

check your own progress more often and check with me whenever you have questions

• In addition, you will be asked to come up with a summer research plan– With a reasonable research plan, many of you will get

fellowships over the summer

Next summer

• I hope you will say:– I have talked to many professors, graduate

students, and postdocs– I have a research position supported by a

grant– I did well in courses (GPA > 3.5) and have

~24 credits– I passed the GWE in January, or at least

have confidence in passing this August

Individuals are different

• Depending on where you are now, you may want to be more or less ambitious– Your undergrad preparation level is

somewhat less complete than others– You already have a Master’s degree and

have taken many courses similar to our 5000-level classes

2nd year

• Take the rest of the required courses (40 credits total) – 8000-level courses (8 credits)– Take seminars in your field of research– Do some research if previous summer

worked out well– Look for a new adviser if previous summer

adviser did not work out– If you have an advanced background, this

may be your first-year agenda

Masters Degree

For whatever reason, if the PhD is not for you, should obtain a Master’s by the end of your 2nd year.

Need an adviser– Plan A requires a thesis– Plan B requires either a project or 3 papers– Plan C requires GPA of 3.3 and pass GWE

Masters Degree

If you don’t pass the GWE by August 2013, prepare to obtain a Master’s degree as a back-up– Need an adviser– Plan A requires a thesis– Plan B requires either a project or 3 papers– With this preparation you can petition for a

3rd/4th try on the GWE

Intermission

Please be back in 10 minutes.

By 2nd summer• Passed GWE (at least taken once for MS)• Finished taking courses (except a few

seminars)– Some of the theory students may be taking more

classes in the 3rd year• Started serious research (finished or almost

finished, if MS)• Getting ready to take Oral Exam

– File “Degree Program” form – list all courses you have taken and plan to take

– Demonstrate that you are ready to do research • Annual survey will check these milestones

3rd year and later• Preliminary Oral Exam• Do research• Other things to do while doing your research

– Thesis defense of other students– Seminars and colloquia– Conferences and workshops– Informal conversation with people in the

department, related departments, visitors– Read literature

• Thesis proposal• Write papers and thesis

Annual survey of progress

• Filing of proper forms– Degree Program: within 6 months of starting

research– Thesis Proposal: within 6 months of preliminary

oral exam to pin down what you have to do to finish your thesis research.

• Scheduled and passed preliminary oral exam in a timely manner?

• Is your expectation of what needs to be done the same as your adviser’s? If not, talk it over to come to some consensus.

ABD (All But Dissertation): Who cares?

• Your research adviser!• After passing the preliminary oral examination

and taking 24 thesis credits, you will be ABD, which incurs a much smaller overhead cost for your adviser. – He/she is more willing to give you an RA position.– You may be able to get more helium with that

savings.• While you take thesis credits, you have 4

extra credits you can take on other classes.– Seminar (2 are required for PhD)– Teaching class (GRAD 8101/02)– Courses taken after ABD may cost you real money

MS RequirementsRequirements M.S. (Plan A) M.S. (Plan B) M.S. (Plan C)

Total Credits Required (not including thesis credits)

 20

 30

 30

Thesis Credits Required 10 0 0Major Courses Required 14 credits, including 

either 5001/2 or 5011/2

14 credits, including either 5001/2 or 5011/2

5001/2, 5011/2, and 5201

Minor or Supporting Program Credits*

6 credits 6 credits 6 credits

Minimum GPA 2.8 2.8 3.3Graduate Written Exam Take Once Take Once Must PassPreliminary Oral Exam NA NA NAFile Degree Program After 10 credits After 10 credits After 10 creditsFile Thesis Title/Proposal Register thesis title 

when distributed to reviewers

NA NA

Time Limits Not more than 7 years Not more than 7 years Not more than 7 years

Transfer credits Not more than 40% of program

Not more than 40% of program

Not more than 40% of program

Preliminary and Final Oral Committee

3 members: 2 from major field, 1 from minor or related fields

3 members: 2 from major field, 1 from minor or related fields

NA

Thesis reviewers All members of oral committee

NA NA

PhD RequirementsRequirements PhD

Total Credits Required (not including thesis credits) 40

Thesis Credits Required 24

Major Courses Required 5001/2, 5011/2, 5201, and 5072 for TAs

Minor or Supporting Program Credits* 12 credits

Minimum GPA 3.3 in the required courses

Graduate Written Exam Pass by Fall 2nd year

Preliminary Oral Exam Pass by end of 3rd year

File Degree Program Before taking the Preliminary Oral Exam

File Thesis Title/Proposal File thesis proposal after passing Preliminary Oral Exam

Time Limits Not more than 5 years after completing Preliminary Oral Exam

Transfer credits No limit, must be approved by DGS

Preliminary and Final Oral Committee4 members: 3 from major field (advisor plus an experimentalist and a theorist in the same subfield of physics) and 1 with an appointment outside physics.

Thesis reviewers3 reviewers, including committee member from outside physics. Thesis must be approved one week before defense

Social Aspects• Grad () graduate student organization.

Provides good peer support to all students.– Social events– Conduit of useful information that professors and

DGS are not aware of (or students don’t want us to know!)

• WIPA (Women in Physics/Astro) • SPS – equivalent organization for

undergraduates• Sport teams

– Soccer, softball, broomball, ping-pong, badminton• Any other ideas to make the atmosphere of

the department even better are welcomed.

Time to Graduation

•Median length of time to graduate = 5.7 years

•Time to graduate depends on external factors such as–scope of project –funding approval

•as well as on factors you have a control over such as–how hard you work –how organized you are

Racing to the checked flag / finish line.

After graduation

Nationwide initial employment of physics PhDs

www.aip.org/statistics

Academic 58%

Government 19%

Private sector 19%

Other 4%

After graduation

Nationwide starting salaries of physics PhDs

www.aip.org/statistics

Academic $40-57K

Government $55-102K

Private sector $74-101K

After graduation Nationwide statistics for physics PhDs

Physics Today, August 2013

Number of degrees 1600

Number of faculty hires 400-500

My personal philosophy is to achieve all that you can,be the best that you can, follow your own path, and don’tbe obliged to fit into somebody else’s mold of who you should be or what you should accomplish. If we don’tenjoy our profession, what is the point?

Summary

• You will be busy with– Taking courses– Teaching undergraduates– Doing research– Socializing

• Try to be balanced, seek help when you need it, and enjoy life!

Getting advice and feedback from your adviser.

Academic Adviser

• Your academic adviser has been assigned and need not be your research adviser for your MS or PhD.

• Talk to him/her whenever you have questions about life in the department.

• They are eager to help you solve any problems and stay on track to your MS or PhD.

Academic Adviser

• Meet with your adviser at least once per month!

• I often hear that– My students never show up after the first

meeting.– My adviser is never available.

• If you want a 2nd or independent opinion don’t hesitate to talk to me.

Academic Adviser• Meet with your adviser tomorrow afternoon.

– Make an appointment with him/her immediately if you have not already done so.

• Topics to cover:– Establish a good rapport.– Which classes are appropriate.– Good ways to find a research adviser to work with next summer.– Give him/her a copy of your letter which says what your goals are

for the coming year and what you expect from your adviser.

• You should meet with your adviser at least once per month to talk about– How you have been doing.– What classes to take in the spring.

• If for any reason you cannot find your adviser when you need to, please see Abby or Annie or me.

When talking to your adviser

• Discuss what it means to be a good physicist.

• What does it mean when someone says “thinking like a physicist”.

• Discuss the importance of “problem solving” in his/her professional life as well as how to live productively as a person.

Tomorrow afternoon

After meeting with your adviser, register for classes and enter

information for TA assignment!

Would anyone like to discuss theirfirst year goals and what they

expect from their adviser before writing their reports?