Schedule and locations are subject to change.
Arrival and Hotel Check-in
The Shattuck Plaza Hotel-2086 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA 94704
Check-in time is 3:00 pm. If you arrive early, you may inquire with the front desk about the possibility of an early check-in; otherwise they will be happy to store your bags so you can explore Berkeley while your room is prepared.
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm - Join us for a casual get-together @ Jupiter 2181 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CA 94704
8:30 - 9:00am - Check-in and Breakfast
375 Physics North
Check in and pick up your name tag for your visit and grab breakfast in Physics North 375
If you miss check-in time, no problem -- see anyone in Physics Student Services at your convenience. Our team is located in Physics North in the offices across from room 375.
9:00 - 9:30 am - Welcome from Irfan Siddiqi, Professor Department Chair and Shimon Kolkowitz, Professor and Recruitment Committee Chair
Physics South 251
9:30am - 11:30am - Poster Session
Stanley Hall Lower Atrium
Learn about various research labs and student groups.
11:30am - 1:00pm - Lunch with Current Graduate Students
Meet in Stanley Hall Lower Atrium at 11:30 immediately after the poster session
Choose one of several small groups of current and admitted students for a casual lunch near campus. Meet at the designated location to choose your group and walk together.
1:00 - 3:00 pm - Choose Your Breakout Sessions
Session 1: BCTP, Astro, Nuclear/Particle Physics - 375 Physics North [Record]
1:00-1:40 - Astro
1:40-2:20 - HEP/NP
2:20-3:00 - BCTP
Session 2: AMO, Condensed Matter, Biophysics - 325 Physics South [Record]
1:00-1:40 - Biophysics
1:40-2:20 - Condensed Matter Physics
2:20-3:00 - AMO/QI
3:00 - 4:30pm - Office Hours with Faculty
Various Locations
If you would like to schedule an appointment to meet with faculty members during the open house, appointment links are available here.
4:30 - 5:00pm - PhD Information Session
Physics South 251
Lead by: Yury Kolomensky
In attendance: Holger Mueller, Heather Gray, Roia Ferrazares
5:00 - 6:00pm - Graduate Student Panel
Have your questions answered about the graduate student experience at Berkeley.
Physics South 251
6:00 - 7:00pm - Dinner
Pick up a boxed dinner in front of the Campanile and have dinner with faculty!
7:00pm - Evening Activities with Current and Visiting Students
Join some current grad students for some evening activities:
Board games: Come to 375 Physics North at 7:30pm for a quiet (or rambunctious, depending on how you play) night of board games and snacks!
Bar: A group of grad students will be going to Spats, a local Berkeley bar, for some late-night drinks and fun conversation! We will be meeting near the Campanile (the tall bell tower near Physics) at 8:30pm, and walking over together - don't forget your ID :) If you stay out late enough, you might even be able to see the blood moon lunar eclipse!
8:30am-9:00am- Breakfast
375 Physics North
9:00am - 12:00pm - Choose Your Friday Morning activity
9:00 am-12:00 pm - Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory tours
Meet at 9:00 AM, at Hearst Mining Circle
Description: An overview of Berkeley Lab physics research programs will be presented by lab researchers, and tours will be provided of lab facilities such as the ATLAS, DESI, CCD, and CMB/DM/QIS Labs, the Neutrino, Dark Matter, and Semiconductor Detector Labs, the Molecular Foundry, the Advanced Light Source, and the National Center for Electron Microscopy, to see these experiments firsthand and to talk with Berkeley Lab researchers about their activities and opportunities for graduate student research. Shuttles to and from the lab will be provided. Weather permitting, participants will also be given the option to take a scenic guided walk back down to campus.
9:00 am-12:00 pm -One on one meetings with faculty
9:00am- 10:15am- IGenSpectrum: Ask Us Anything: Women & LGBTQ+ Graduate Students
375 Physics North
An informal hangout with members of pods and IGenSpectrum, groups that plan events + build community between gender minority grad students and LGBTQ+ students in physics, respectively. Please note: this event is open to all, but we ask that all attendees be mindful of creating a safe space for this discussion.
9:30 am-12:00pm- Space Sciences Lab Tour
Meet at 9:30am at the blue tables outside Campbell
10:30 am-12:00pm-Science Communications Workshop:The Art of Science Communication
251 Physics South
Speaker: Dr. Dione (Dee) Rossiter Dee
Abstract:Science communication goes far beyond academic papers. The benefits of science communication are vast and include an increase in science literacy and better-informed science policy. In addition, exceptional science communication includes effective means of disseminating scientific content through lectures, publications, grants, outreach initiatives, and interactions with the mass media. Please join me to learn tips, tricks, and resources for adopting better science communication techniques both in and outside of academia!
12:00pm - Lunch
375 Physics North
1:00-2:00pm- Climate Physics Reading Group (attendance is optional depending on your schedule)
McCone 401
Description: Come meet graduate students involved in climate science in the physics department and learn about physics research focused on climate change and solutions! Meet us right outside 375 Physics North - we'll be walking over to McCone after the BBQ lunch.
1:00-4:00pm- Office Hours with Faculty/Grad Students
Various Locations
If you would like to schedule an appointment to meet with faculty members during the open house, links to schedule appointments are available here.
3:00-4:00pm -Compass Lectures (attendance is optional depending on your schedule)
375 Physics North
Title: Machine Learning & the History of the Cosmos
Speaker: Cooper Jacobus
Description: In this talk, we explore two of the largest frontiers in modern physics; the history of the cosmos and the use of machine learning to discover and interpret complex physical systems. We discuss what these ideas have to do with one another and consider what breakthroughs might be coming in the next century of physics, particularly focusing on the future of computer simulations and data in Physics. I will finally present some of my own work using machine learning to accelerate computer simulations of the evolution of structure in the cosmos.
3:30-5:00pm- CIQC’s Quantum Gatherings (attendance is optional depending on your schedule)
131 Campbell Hall
Title: Large-scale Homodyne Coherent Optical Computing
Speaker: Professor Zaijun Chen
Description: CIQC’s Quantum Gatherings are an opportunity for CIQC members to build connections and spark discussions between different fields of research. Gatherings consist of a 20 minute Spark Talk on quantum-related topics, then a continued conversation with the quantum community on the Campbell terrace. Friday's Gathering features EECS Professor Zaijun Chen. His talk is titled "Large-scale Homodyne Coherent Optical Computing." The Gathering is held from 3:30-5pm on Friday March 14 in 131 Campbell Hall. We hope you will join us!
5:30 pm - Grad Social Hour (attendance is optional depending on your schedule)
375 Physics North
If you're still in town, finish your Pi Day Friday in good company at this weekly Physics Department tradition! Alcoholic (21+ only) and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as pizza π's will be available for you to enjoy; please be prepared to show a photo ID for alcohol service