The Program
===========

This section covers everything you need to know about navigating the UC Berkeley Astronomy
PhD program — from your first week through filing your thesis. Pages are written by current
and former students to complement (not replace) the official department handbook.

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Getting Started
---------------

.. grid:: 2
   :padding: 2
   :gutter: 4

   .. grid-item-card:: Getting Set Up
      :shadow: md
      :link: getting_set_up
      :link-type: doc

      First steps for new students: accounts, keys, computing access,
      and department orientation.

   .. grid-item-card:: The Graduate Student Handbook
      :shadow: md
      :link: handbook
      :link-type: doc

      Program policies, degree requirements, and official expectations
      for students at all stages.

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Program Milestones
------------------

.. grid:: 3
   :padding: 2
   :gutter: 4

   .. grid-item-card:: The Preliminary Exam
      :shadow: md
      :link: prelim
      :link-type: doc

      What the prelim is, when to take it, how it is graded,
      and advice from students who have passed it.

   .. grid-item-card:: The Qualifying Exam
      :shadow: md
      :link: qual
      :link-type: doc

      Structure, timing, committee selection, and tips for
      preparing for the qualifying examination.

   .. grid-item-card:: The Thesis
      :shadow: md
      :link: thesis
      :link-type: doc

      Filing requirements, formatting, the final defense,
      and the road to graduation.

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Academic Life
-------------

.. grid:: 2
   :padding: 2
   :gutter: 4

   .. grid-item-card:: Courses
      :shadow: md
      :link: courses
      :link-type: doc

      Course requirements, recommended sequences, and tips
      on registration and planning your coursework.

   .. grid-item-card:: Academic Advising
      :shadow: md
      :link: academic_advising
      :link-type: doc

      Working with your research advisor, navigating advising
      relationships, and knowing your rights.

   .. grid-item-card:: Advising Students
      :shadow: md
      :link: advising_students
      :link-type: doc

      Resources for students who mentor or advise undergraduates
      as part of their own research groups.

   .. grid-item-card:: Graduate Student Mentoring
      :shadow: md
      :link: mentoring
      :link-type: doc

      The department's formal mentor-mentee program pairing new
      students with more senior grads.

   .. grid-item-card:: Fellowships and Funding Opportunities
      :shadow: md
      :link: fellowships
      :link-type: doc

      A list of known fellowships for graduate students, with
      advice on how to apply and when to start preparing.

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Money & Logistics
-----------------

.. grid:: 2
   :padding: 2
   :gutter: 4

   .. grid-item-card:: Pay and Compensation
      :shadow: md
      :link: pay
      :link-type: doc

      Stipends, paychecks, GSI appointments, fellowship top-ups,
      and pay schedules throughout the year.

   .. grid-item-card:: Reimbursements
      :shadow: md
      :link: reimbursement
      :link-type: doc

      How to submit and track expense reimbursements for research,
      travel, and department activities.

   .. grid-item-card:: Travel Funds
      :shadow: md
      :link: travel_funds
      :link-type: doc

      Sources of travel funding, how to apply, and what to expect
      from conference and observing travel support.

   .. grid-item-card:: Conference Posters
      :shadow: md
      :link: posters
      :link-type: doc

      Templates, printing resources, and tips for making
      effective research posters.

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Life After the PhD
------------------

.. grid:: 2
   :padding: 2
   :gutter: 4

   .. grid-item-card:: Jobs After the PhD
      :shadow: md
      :link: jobs
      :link-type: doc

      Advice on postdoc and industry job hunting, application
      timelines, and a list of known fellowships.

   .. grid-item-card:: BadGrads Alumni
      :shadow: md
      :link: alumni
      :link-type: doc

      Profiles, career paths, and advice from graduates of
      the Berkeley Astronomy PhD program.

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.. toctree::
   :hidden:
   :maxdepth: 1

   getting_set_up
   handbook
   prelim
   qual
   thesis
   courses
   academic_advising
   advising_students
   mentoring
   pay
   reimbursement
   fellowships
   travel_funds
   posters
   jobs
   alumni