THE QUALIFYING EXAM. 

In September at the beginning of their Second year, 
all students are expected to take an oral "Qualifying Examination". 
Students must pass the Qualifying Exam in order to continue in graduate school.  

This in-person exam has two main elements:
(1) Report on the progress of First-year research.
(2) Demonstration of broad understanding of 
astrophysics concepts and current astronomy.
The exam will be conducted by a committee of four to five faculty members,
generally with the Option Rep present as an observer. 

Each student will interact with the panel for approximately 1 hour. 
See the "qualifying exam" web page for more detail.

Student performance will be assessed based on a rubric.
Input from the research advisor and from the broader faculty may be sought as well.

Failure to pass the Qualifying Exam may result in a re-examination on 
certain elements deemed unsatisfactory, or a complete repeat of the entire process.

COURSE WORK.

In addition to completing the electives requirements
(see page for First year students as a reminder of some possible choices), 
Second year students are required to take Ay 141abc in this and all subsequent years.

If you have not done so already, you must fill out the Plan of Study 
within the REGIS system, for approval by the Option Representative.

TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIP.

Regardless of funding source, all students are expected to 
gain experience with the activities associated with teaching, 
as part of your professional development.  
Both undergraduate and graduate courses are available for TA duties.
See separate documentation for how to be a good TA.

The Second-year students generally decide among themselves who will TA what classes,
though that freedom may need to change in the near future.

WRAPPING UP FIRST-YEAR RESEARCH EFFORT. 

Research is a never-ending pursuit and passion!

While some projects can fit neatly within the summer quarter after First Year, 
others are actually thesis projects disguised as introductory First-year projects.
A good skill to develop is recognition of the scope of a research effort,
that is, learning to tell the difference between the above two cases.  
You should aquire an understanding through practice of your own ability 
to complete projects, including any associated documentation or paper writing.  
This is ann essential skill for the next step in your adventure 
of undertaking thesis research.

It is important to wrap up the First year project by the end of the Winter quarter 
of Second year.  An earlier exit from unfruitful research efforts is recommended.  
Alternately, fruitful efforts may expand into the beginning stages of your thesis work.


PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

Students should continue during the Second year to attend talks and seminars
and to appreciate the breadth of astronomy, as well as begin to develop depth
leading towards thesis research plans.

The option representative remains the default academic advisor of all 
Second-year students in Ay, through the academic year.  During this time period 
students will also engage in research, so will have a research advisor.  
Students should also consult with their faculty mentor, as self-identified 
at the end of the First year. 


SECOND-YEAR RESEARCH.

The student is expected to start a serious dialog with an advisor 
and get ready for the PhD Candidacy Exam (by middle of Third year). 
The advisor may or may not be the same person you have worked with
during the First year.

You should initiate the search for an advisor and a thesis topic 
as soon as possible after passing the Qualifying Exam at the beginning 
of the Second year.  While there is still time for exploration, 
you should have demonstrated significant focus and have a track record
of productivity by the Summer quarter of Second year. 


CONTINUATION.

It is a basic rule of our graduate program that a student entering 
the Third year must have identified an advisor who is willing to 
supervise her/him through the candidacy and presumably then the thesis. 
Students who are unable to satisfy this requirement can not continue 
in our program.