Dear Students:<br>

I am the Astronomy Option representative. This means that I am
"advisor" at large. I am the principal contact for students until they
sign up with a thesis advisor. I am expected to keep track of your
progress in our program. You can always come and talk to me, especially
if you have a problem.

<p>
I have summarized what I know about the <a
href="Option/student-advisor"> status/phase </a> of each astronomy
graduate student.  I realize that several students have effectively two
advisors.  However, in the end, only one faculty has to be the
principal advisor who is ultimately responsible until you graduate.  It
is this primary advisor who is listed in the summary below.

<h4>
Honor Code</h4> As a student at Caltech you are expected to follow
the honor code. We require that you review the details
of the <a href="http://www.its.caltech.edu/~grb"> honor code</a>.
The Option rep will review the honor during your orientation
meeting. (Notes to SRK: invite a member of the Graduate Review
Board at the first orientation meeting.) 

<h4>
1st YEAR STUDENTS. <a href="Option/1stYEAR.html"> Notes</a> &nbsp;
&nbsp; <a href="Option/Ay12X-grading.html">Ay 12X Grading Policy</a>
(Faculty & Students: Please read)
</h4>

<p>
<h4>
2nd YEAR STUDENTS. <a href="Option/2ndYEAR.html"> Notes</a>
</h4>
<hr WIDTH="100%">
2005: The exam date is 30 September, 2005.
Committee: Cohen, Kulkarni, Phinney and Sari.
Please submit the report by 26 September, COD.
<br>
2004 Exam was conducted on  27 September 2004. The panel consisted
of the following faculty (who are well known for being very
friendly): J. Cohen, R. Ellis, M. Kamionkowski, S. Kulkarni and C.
Steidel (ex-officio).  The details of the exam can be found 
<a href="Option/2ndYEAR.html"> here</a> including 
<a href="Option/Sample-Questions.html"> sample questions</a>. 
<a href="Option/WillAskQuestions">Will Ask Questions</a>
<p>
RESEARCH PROJECT & PRESENTATIONS 
<p>
<a href="Option/2005-Quals.html">
Year 2005</a> &nbsp | &nbsp;
<a href="Option/2004-Quals.html">
Year 2004 </a>  &nbsp | &nbsp;
<a href="Option/2003-Quals.html"> 
Year 2003 </a> 
<hr WIDTH="100%">


<p>
<h4>
3rd YEAR STUDENTS: <a href="Option/3rdYEAR.html"> Notes</a>
</h4>
2004: Reminder to students. Keep you write up to < 4 pages. This 
is useful practice (observing proposals even for HST and Chandra 
are highly constrained). Also please have the write up ready
at least 2 weeks in advance.
<br>
<a href="Option/2004-Candidacy.html">Writeups for 2004</a>

<p>
2003:
All students have passed the exam.
Milan B. will take the exam on return
from military service.
<a href="Option/2003-Candidacy.html">Writeups for 2003 <a/>
<p>


<p>
Useful Links: &nbsp; &nbsp; 
<a href="Option/student-advisor"> Student Status: Summary </a>
&nbsp; &nbsp | &nbsp; &nbsp;
<a href="http://www.astro.caltech.edu/department/grad.students.html">
Student Directory </a> 
&nbsp; &nbsp | &nbsp; &nbsp;
<a href="Option/Duration.html"> Duration of Astronomy PhDs <a/>