Arrival Information Qualifying Exam About Syracuse Degree Programs Financial Support Practical Info Brief Calendar The Qualifying Examination (.pdf) The Comprehensive Examination (.pdf)	*********************************************** Arrival Information For New Students (Fall 2009) Welcome to the Physics Department! In the not-so-distant future you will be arriving in Syracuse to begin your graduate studies in physics. Your first few weeks will be a very busy time, meeting new people, looking for housing, and learning about our city and our University. Below is some information about what will happen when you arrive. The brief calendar and the arrival information are very important. The instructions below tell how to begin your life as a member of the physics department. However, you will also be receiving instructions directly from the Teaching Assistant (TA) program about their orientation. If you are an international student, the TA program will also tell you about housing that the University will provide for you when you arrive and through the orientation period. If you need any further information, you should feel free to e-mail Diane Sanderson (dbsander@syr.edu) or one of us. We look forward to meeting you this fall, Graduate Director: Mark Bowick bowick@physics.syr.edu
Checking In Checking In for International Students All international students must check in with the Lillian and Emanuel Slutzker Center for International Services (LESCIS) as soon as possible after entering the United States. The International Services Center is located at 310 Walnut Place and meets many of the needs of international students. Be sure to bring your documentation so they can prepare the I-9 information for payroll for you. They can be reached by e-mail at LESCIS@syr.edu or by telephone at 315-443-2457. Checking In with the Department As soon as possible after arrival, all new students should come to room 201 of the Physics Building and contact Diane Sanderson. You will be assigned you a mailbox, and an office. Your email address with initial password will be assigned by Information Technologies. For United States citizens and permanent residents, I-9 forms are to be completed at the Human Resources Satellite Office located at 210 Steele Hall.  You will then see Penny Davis to begin the payroll process. Penny will need to copy your Social Security Card (original, please) or an official Birth Certificate. Penny will also take your photograph for the department directory and web site.  Back to top Brief Calendar Late July or Early August E-mail us: Please e-mail Diane Sanderson (dbsander@syr.edu) to tell us when you plan to arrive in Syracuse. Monday, August 10 or Tuesday, August 11 , 2009 Arrival: Most international students (students from outside the U.S.) will arrive on these days. Students that arrive early enough in the day should check in with Diane Sanderson (201A Physics Building) and the International Services Center (see Arrival Information above) at 310 Walnut Place. All new physics graduate students (whether international or from the U.S.) should also check in as soon as possible. Please be sure to ask for information about meeting the department chair shortly after your arrival. You can find information about the Office of International Services (SCIS) at (http://sumweb.syr.edu/lescis/). Note that they may be open late during this week in August. Thursday, August 13 through Wednesday, August 19th University International TA Orientation Syracuse University Teaching Assistant Orientation for International Students who are new TAs. Note that all new international students should attend these meetings, even if they are not TAs this year (for example, those on a fellowship). You will receive more information about this orientation from the international TA program. Monday, August 24 (tentative agenda): The Physics TA Orientation is being finalized. This will provide the most up to date information possible. The names of the panelists will be added as soon as they are known. Physics Department TA Orientation: Teaching assistant training will continue in rooms 202/204. The Annual Pancake Breakfast sponsored by the Physics Department and the Physics Graduate Student Organization will be begin at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, August 24th. Omlets to order and Sam’s Special Pancakes are the hit of the event. . You can find a printed copy of the current agenda in the wall “pockets” near the mailboxes across from the Physics Main Office. Saturday, August 29 and Sunday, August 30 9:00 am: Qualifying Exam: Graduate students normally take this exam at the beginning of their second year in the department, but well-prepared new students often choose to take the exam in their first year. First year students who take the exam but do not pass are allowed to take the exam as usual in their second year without prejudice. See this year's qualifying exam syllabus for an outline of material covered by the exam. Sunday, August 30 9:00am: Comprehensive Exam: New students must take the comprehensive examination unless they choose to take the qualifying examination. The Comprehensive Examination is used to assess your background and preparation in order that we may better advise you in your studies at Syracuse. The exam is at the level of undergraduate texts such as Halliday and Resnick or Tipler and covers the areas of mechanics, electricity and magnetism, heat, optics, and modern physics. (The Qualifying Examination tests understanding of graduate-level material.) Recent exams are available for inspection at the Physics Library desk or from Diane Sanderson. Parts I (Mechanics) and II (Electricity and Magnetism) are held from 9:00-11:00am, with parts III (heat and optics) and IV (modern physics) held from 12:00 noon to 2:00pm. Monday, August 31 First Day of Classes Thursday, September 3 3:30-4:30pm: Welcome Reception: A reception at the same time of the regular Thursday Colloquia will officially begin the semester and introduce new members of the department. All department members are invited. Saturday, September 12: The Physics Picnic will be held from 11:00am until late afternoon at Thornden Park, just east of the SU campus. You can find more information at: http://physics.syr.edu/calendar/picnic/2009/picnic2009.htm . Updated by Diane Sanderson, 8/12.09