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 2007) 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/Coordinator: 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, an office, and email address with password. See (http://physics.syr.edu/graduate/practical.html#email) for information about e-mail at SU).  For United States citizens and permanent residents, I-9 forms are to be completed at the Human Resources Satellite Office located at 121 Bowne 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 6 or Tuesday, August 7, 2007 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 and the International Services Center (see Arrival Information above). Other students (whether international or from the U.S.) should also check in as soon as possible. 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. Wednesday, August 9 Early Arrival Dinner: CANCELED FOR 2007 . Thursday, August 9 through Friday, August 17 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. Date: TBA GSO Welcome Event: TBA Monday, August 20 The Physics TA Orientation is currently under revision. An updated page will be posted as soon as the final schedule is worked out. Tuesday, August 21 8:00am-8:00pm , Course Registration: New physics students can register for courses through the web during this time. Advising and registration for new students must be completed before 8:00 pm on Tuesday, August 24. Tuesday, August 21 and Wednesday, August 22 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 Wednesday morning. Omlets to order and Sam’s Special Pancakes are the hit of the event. . More information about the rest of the program will be ready for distribution by noon on Friday, August 17. Teaching assignments will be ready by Wednesday, August 22. Saturday, August 25 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. Saturday, August 25 and Sunday, August 26 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. Monday, August 27 First Day of Classes Thursday, August 30 3:30-4:30pm: Welcome Party: A reception in place of the usual Thursday Colloquia will officially begin the semester and introduce new members of the department. All department members are invited. Sunday, September 9 The Physics Picnic will be held from 11:00am until late afternoon at Green Lakes State Park in Fayetteville, NY. You can find more information at: http://physics.syr.edu/calendar/picnic/2007/picnic2007.htm . Updated by Diane Sanderson, 7/30/2007