FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2008
1:30 PM – 7:30 PM International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) Orientation for new international students
MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2008
5:30 PM – For international students: The Columbia American Language Program’s written test of English (English Placement Exam or EPT-II) will be given in a room to be announced. 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.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2008
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 27, 2008 – 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
11:15 AM - Annie Barry, 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 oral test in English (SPEAK) will be given in a room to be announced. 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.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2008
8:30 AM - 1:30 PM - GSAS Orientation for New Teaching Fellows - Location and program to be announced.
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 2008.
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.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2008
10:00 AM - 12:00 Noon - Placement examination in electromagnetism for students who have had a graduate level course in the subject and wish to place out of Physics G6092, Electromagnetic Theory, Room 705 Pupin, Professor Miklos Gyulassy.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2008
Labor Day, U.S. national holiday - University will be closed
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2008
CLASSES BEGIN FOR FALL SEMESTER 2008
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2008
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM GSAS Dean’s BBQ: Kent Plaza and Philosophy Lawn
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2008
12:00 Noon - First meeting of all Teaching Fellows, 705 Pupin: Discussion of general and specific graduate student teaching for Fall 2008.