BadGrad Wiki#
Welcome to BadGradWiki: the community-maintained knowledge base for graduate students in the UC Berkeley Astronomy Department.
This site collects practical knowledge, shared experience, and institutional memory to help grads navigate the department, the PhD program, and life in Berkeley. It also serves as a central home for resources related to departmental roles, teaching, and other core aspects of the graduate student experience.
Here you’ll find information on graduate student jobs, advice from more senior students, and resources that are useful to current and prospective grads alike.
Note
This wiki is maintained by graduate students, for graduate students. It does not represent official department or university policy. For authoritative guidance, please consult departmental or UC Berkeley resources.
Core Resources#
Department Roles
Information about grad-run departmental roles, semesterly job assignments, expectations, timelines, and tips from people who have done them before.
Teaching & GSI Resources
Resources for teaching and GSIs, including course logistics, pedagogical advice, and shared teaching materials.
Life in Berkeley
Practical advice on healthcare, housing, transportation, campus services, and day-to-day life as a Berkeley grad student.
The PhD Program
Notes and guidance on prelims, quals, milestones, expectations, and navigating the PhD program.
Contributing#
BadGradWiki is a collaborative effort, and its usefulness depends on contributions from current and former graduate students. If you have resources, tips, or experiences to share (especially things you wish you had known earlier) please consider contributing!
See Contributing to BadGradWiki for details on how to get involved.
Hint
All the biggest BADDIES contribute to the wiki because its cool!
Additional Resources#
Science & Computing — computing clusters, remote observing, and other technical guides for doing science in the department.