Please note that the following schedule of event is tentative and may change somewhat. Please visit the web page regularly to make sure you are up to date with the changes.
Physics Assessment Exams
Monday, August 14
Location : Physics Building, Room 150
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Classical Mechanics
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Electromagnetic Theory
Tuesday, August 15
Location : Physics Building, Room 150
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Thermal Physics
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Quantum Mechanics
Physics Orientation Events
Wednesday, August 16
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Physics Orientation
Location : Physics Building, Room 298
A Tentative Schedule is given below
9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Welcome Introduction to the Physics Department - Dr. Warren S. Warren, Professor and Chair, Duke Physics Department
- 9:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
Light breakfast, packets, Keys, paperwork (Donna Elliott)
- 9:45 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Welcome & Introduction to the Graduate Program
Professor Stephen Teitsworth, Director of Graduate Studies
- 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Computing practices, policies and accounts
Jimmy Dorff, Departmental Systems Administrator - 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Photographs and Computing Accounts
Jimmy Dorff and Barry Wilson - 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- Duke Librarian, will give an introduction to Library resources of value to Physics students
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. - Lunch with Graduate Student Organization Representative and Faculty
International Students attend IGPS Orientation
Location : Bryan Center, West Campus
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Please visit the International House web page to view details.
Thursday, August 17
Tea Time with Physics student mentors - Room 298, Physics faculty lounge, followed by a trip to the Duke Card office to pick up your ID's
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Friday, August 18
9:00 a.m. – Noon
English Exam for International Students
All international students must take the English Language Placement Exams. There are two exams, a writing exam and an oral exam. Based on these exams the students may be required to complete some English courses at Duke. Students generally begin taking these required courses immediately starting their first semester.
Oral & Written Exam
Location : 072 Perkins Library
- must bring a picture ID (Duke card or passport)
- should arrive a few minutes before the exam time and bring a pen or pencil
More information about these exams are given at the Graduate School web page which you can access from here.
Physics Registration Meetings with DGS
1:00 p.m.– 4:00 p. m. - please register for one 20 minute meeting
Location: Physics Building, Room 089
Students will meet with Dr. Stephen Teitsworth (DGS) for advice regarding course registrations. The appointments will last 20 minutes to review your assessment exam results and recommended coursework. Please sign up for one meeting time via the Doodle Poll invitation in your Duke email.
Monday, August 21
Eclipse Viewing Trip to Columbia, SC
Graduate School Orientation
For more information visit Duke Graduate School Orientation 2017. The page will be updated regularly. Below are the important events you must attend. There are many other events scheduled throughout the week you may find useful.
Tuesday, August 22
10:00 a.m.– 12:30 p.m.
Graduate Student Orientation
Location : Reynolds Theater, Bryan Center (Overflow: Griffith Film Theater)
The orientation is intended to help new students transition to graduate school by providing information about the academic community, policies, and resources. All new students should plan to attend. There will be an open question-and-answer period following the orientation. Lunch will be available after the session
Graduate Student Resource Fair
12:30–2:00 p.m.
Bryan Center, All Levels
Representatives from many student groups, volunteer organizations, administrative offices, local vendors (e.g., banks), and other establishments will be set up at tables offering information. DukeCards will be available for pick-up at the information session for students who previously submitted the required information online to the DukeCard Office.
Safety Workshop
2:30–3:30 p.m.
Griffith Film Theater, Bryan Center, Second Level
Registration will be required.
Wednesday, August 23
Physics TA Meetings with ACT
Location: Physics Building, Room 281
9:00 am - 12 Noon
Student will meet with Prof. Steffen Bass (ACT) for about 15 minutes each about teaching duties. The appointments will be given via Doodle Poll.
Welcome Lunch with Physics Department Chair (tentative)
Location: Physics Building, Room 298
Noon - 1pm
Graduate and Professional School Convocation
4:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Page Auditorium
This event is the official opening ceremony to welcome all graduate and professional students.
Reception to follow.
Thursday, August 24
9:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
TA Training and Orientation
This event is mandatory for all TAs.
Location : Physics Building, Room 141
Light breakfast and lunch will be provided.
- 9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
Lab & Computer Introduction (Location: Room 141)
Derek Leadbetter - 10:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Introduction to Teaching (Location: Room 141)
Ken McKenzie - 12:15 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Lunch with current graduate students (Location: Room 150) - 1:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
TA Expectations and Responsibilities (Location : Room 150)
Professor Steffen Bass, Associate Chair for Teaching - 1:30 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Preparation for Lab Session & Practice Lab Session (Location : Room 141)
Ken McKenzie - 3:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
Grading (Location : Room 141)
Ken McKenzie - 4:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
Meeting with individual course instructors (Location : Room 141)
RCR Training
Friday, August 25
9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)
This is mandatory for all students
Location : Durham Hilton Hotel, 3800 Hillsborough Road, Durham, NC
All entering Ph.D. students in the Natural Sciences and Engineering are required to attend this RCR orientation event, which is a part of the course requirements for the PhD degree. Continental breakfast and buffet lunch provided. To pre-register for the RCR training and find directions to the free shuttle bus transport, please visit the website where you will find more details here.
Physics Department Picnic
Saturday, August 26
4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Physics Picnic
Duke Forest, Gate F
Hosted by the Second Year (Class of 2016) graduate students.
Semester Begins
Monday, August 28
8:30 a.m.