The following schedule is tentative and subject to change.
Please revisit this page for future updates and additonal information.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2007
1:30 PM – 7:30 PM
International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) Orientation for new international students
Tentative ISSO Schedule
TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2007
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) Orientation for all new graduate students:
10:30 AM - Check-in and pick up materials in front of St. Paul’s Chapel.
11:00 AM - Convocation in Chapel.
Afternoon - micro-sessions on Library and Computing Services, Health Services, and Career Education.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2007 – ROOM 705 PUPIN
9:30 AM - Professor Andrew Millis, Department Chair
Welcome to the group.
9:45 AM - Professor Allan Blaer
Introductions and overview of the department and program, including information about the curriculum, placement exams, graduate student teaching responsibilities, Qualifying Exam, and research choices.
11:00 AM - Coffee break
1:15 AM - Lalla Grimes, Administrative Coordinator; Lydia Argote, Director of Budget Operations
Registration procedures, billing, employment forms, tax treaty forms, Environmental Management Training (“EMS”) for lab users, etc.
12:30 – Lunch in 705 Pupin with members of the faculty and current graduate students.
1:30 PM - Kathleen Kehoe, Science Librarian:
Presentation on the physics library.
2:30 PM - Professor John Parsons, Deputy Chair:
Presentation on research being done in the department.
3:30 PM - Coffee break in 705 Pupin.
5:30 PM - For international students:
The Columbia American Language Program’s written test of English (English Placement Exam or EPT-I) will be given in Room 203, Mathematics Building.
It must be taken by all international students whose native language is not English.
The exam begins promptly at 5:30 PM. This multiple-choice test takes approximately 90 minutes.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 30, 2007
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM - GSAS Orientation for New Teaching Fellows - Low Rotunda
You are encouraged to attend any portions of this program that do not conflict with the Physics Department Orientation.
9:30 AM - Individually scheduled meetings of students with assigned faculty advisor in preparation for registering for courses for Fall 2005.
12:00 Noon - Lunch in 705 Pupin with members of the faculty and current graduate students.
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM - 705 Pupin, Professor Norman Christ
Placement examination in quantum mechanics for students who have had a graduate level course in the subject and wish to place out of one or the other of two semesters Physics G6037 – G6038, Quantum Mechanics I and II. (No placement examination in PHYS G 6092, Electromagnetic Theory, will be given this year because of the new graduate curriculum going into effect as of Fall 2006.)
FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2007
11:30 AM - For international students:
The Columbia American Language Program’s oral test in English (SPEAK) will be given in Room 116 Lewisohn Hall.
It must be taken by all international students, even those who have studied at institutions where English is the language of instruction.
This test of spoken English takes approximately 30 minutes from start to finish.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2007
Labor Day, U.S. national holiday - University will be closed
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2007
CLASSES BEGIN FOR FALL SEMESTER 2007
5:30 PM – For international students:
The Columbia American Language Program’swritten test of English (English Placement Exam or EPT-II) will be given in 310 Fayerweather Hall.
It must be taken by all international students whose native language is not English.
The exam begins promptly at 5:30 PM. This essay test takes approximately 90 minutes.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2007
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM GSAS Dean’s BBQ:
Kent Plaza and Philosophy Lawn
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2007
12:00 Noon - First meeting of all Teaching Fellows, 705 Pupin:
Discussion of general and specific graduate student teaching for Fall 2007.
