Division of Science

Hints for New PhD Students

Introduction

• Welcome and Congratulations! Please take a look at the information below. In your first year, there is a lot to learn that isn't contained in your textbooks. If you can't find what you are looking for then the Grad Affairs office probably knows the answer. They are located in the Ros-Kos connector. See Staff Directory
• If something here is incorrect or you have a comment, please log in at top right, then click Edit and change it! If you are a current Brandeis graduate student, your UNet account should give you access.

Before you arrive

House Hunting Days

I don't have a lot of advice for accepted students before you get here. The Graduate Student Association should, however, see this page for example. I will beg for some grad students to post good advice here.

• The grad school has a nice To-Do List

• My advice is to talk to other grad students. You select rotations very soon, so I would suggest picking a student and ask all your questions. We have all been first years, so if we didn't have it happen to us, we probably can figure out the answer. (And again if we can't, check with DivSci Grad Affairs)

• The first month is rough since you don't get paid 'til Sept 15th so be careful about money. Also, in Mass, there is a thing called 1/2 or full FEE when you go through a realtor to find an apt, which means half or all of your first months rent goes to them and you still need first and last usually. I would try to go through craigslist or we also have these things called Brandeis classifieds to search for housing. Porter and Waltham areas are where students usually end up. The choice really depends on your transportation desires and outside considerations.

When you arrive

• The generic orientation for grad students run by GSAS  is in August. 
• Set your laptop and cell phone to connect via eduroam wireless (unless you came from another school with eduroam, in which case you are probably all set). 

M.S. Requirements and Program Guidelines

Please read the handbook for your graduate program.

• MS Molecular and Cell Biology Handbook
• MS Neuroscience Handbook
• If you are a Genetic Counseling student, contact them at 63179.
• Biotech MS students: Handbook

Ph.D Requirements and Program Guidelines

Please read the handbook for your graduate program.

• Ph.D. Requirements for entering Neuroscience students.
• Ph.D. Requirements in the Graduate Program in Biochemistry and Biophysics
• Ph.D. Requirements in the Graduate Program in Molecular and Cell Biology

Rotation Schedule

In 2015, Rotations for life science phd students will start on Aug 31 . Students should attend the Faculty Bazaar on the evenings of  Aug 25 through Aug 27 to help identify potential rotation menotors.

see also the Science Events planning calendar

University Resources

• Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
• GSA (Graduate Student Association)
• Student Life - Grad Student Services
• University Ombuds: available as a confidential, independent, impartial and informal resource for all undergraduate and graduate students.

Training

Chemical Safety

• You have to complete the on-line chemical safety course at https://brandeis.traincaster.com/app/Login.pmin order to work in the lab
  • It is possible save time and to do this before you arrive if you have a UNet account that is working -- use the Brandeis VPN (Wormhole) to connect to the URL above.

Radiation Safety

• If the lab uses radioisotopes or radiation-generating equipment, you'll have to do the radiation safety training as well. The radiation safety stuff is mostly not on line. This will be part of the first week orientation.
• contact info

Other Compliance Training

To work with human subjects, vertebrate animals, biosafety hazards, etc. may require addtional training. Such training is overseen by the Office of Research Administration

Responsible Conduct of Science

We have a three-fold plan for training postdocs in the responsible conduct of research.

1. CITI Responsible Conduct of Research Online Training
   1. must be completed within 60 days after starting
   2. Life scientists should select Biomedical Responsible Conduct of Research Course. Most other scientists should select Physical Science Responsible Conduct of Research Course. 
2. CONT 300B is our in-person classroom training course, and is held once yearly, usually in the winter. Postdocs are required to participate at their first opportunity.
   
   1. Most postdocs are asked to participate as discussion leaders in the course
3. PIs are expected to discuss responsible conduct at lab meetings.

Seminars and Events

Automatic Reminders

To get a daily reminder via e-mail about upcoming seminars, subscribe to science-seminars. Several of the faculty insist that all members of their labs subscribe to this maiiling list.

Online Listings

• Seminars This Week
• University Calendar
• Bio/Courses.NeuroJC
• Mol Gen JC Schedule
• BCHM/BIOPHYS Friday Pizza Talks

Giving talks

• Before you give your first talk here, read about ComputerProjectors. At least a couple of days beforehand!

News

• Read the Science @ Brandeis blog for the latest news about, well, the sciences at Brandeis. You can subscribe via email or via RSS also.
• BrandeisNOW is the main campus news site.
• The Justice and the Hoot are the two campus newspapers.
• Follow BrandeisLS or BrandeisScience on twitter

Computer Help and Resources

Computer Account

• UNet accounts provide access to most if not all of the centralized computer services at Brandeis. You need one. Get it at https://unet.brandeis.edu if you are student, staff or faculty.
• For some purposes, you might need accounts on local servers in the Life Sciences. Create your UNet account first, talk to you labmates, and then contact Steven Karel or members of the DivSci Tech Group if you need one.