Merge pull request #40 from sbryngelson/improve

Author: sbryngelson

group-syllabus/faq.md

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+# Frequently Asked Questions
+
+This document addresses common questions that students and researchers in our group often have.
+If your question isn't answered here, please reach out to Spencer or other members.
+
+## General Questions
+
+### What is the focus of the Computational Physics Group?
+
+Our group focuses on developing computational models and numerical methods for physics problems.
+We accompany our methods with algorithms crafted to make efficient use of the latest exascale machines and computer architectures, including AMD GPUs, Arm/RISC CPUs, and quantum computers.
+We develop open-source software for these methods that scales to the world's largest supercomputers.
+Our work pushes applications forward in areas jet and rocket design, defense broadly, medical therapies and physiology, and the energy sector.
+
+### How do I join the group?
+
+Visit our website at https://comp-physics.group for information about openings.
+Messages to Spencer that do not follow the website instructions will be ignored.
+
+## Research and Collaboration
+
+### How are research projects assigned?
+
+Research projects are typically assigned based on a combination of the group's current research priorities, funding availability, your interests, and your skillset.
+We try to find a good match between these factors, and there's often room for you to propose your own ideas within our broader research themes.
+Our current research includes multiphase flow solvers, stochastic models for cell-scale flow, and information geometric regularization for extreme scale compressible flow simulation.
+
+### How often do we have group meetings?
+
+It ebbs and flows, depending on the interest of the students.
+
+### What software/programming languages should I know?
+
+Proficiency in one high-level and one-level language is important.
+We often use Fortran (free-form) as a low-level language, but new projects may be more ammenable to C/C++.
+High-level languages are mostly up to you, though I prefer you use Python to maximize the reach of your software.
+Our group develops widely used open-source software like MFC, an exascale multi-phase flow solver.
+
+## Academic Progress
+
+### What are the publication expectations?
+
+PhD students generally author or co-author 3-5 papers during the program, with 1 or 2 as first author.
+The quality of publications is valued over quantity.
+See the [Publishing](publishing.md) guide for more details.
+Our group regularly publishes in high-impact journals and conferences in computational physics, fluid dynamics, and related fields.
+
+### How do I know if I'm making good progress in my research?
+
+Feedback should be provided during one-on-one meetings, but if you have any questions or doubts you are *strongly encouraged* to talk to Spencer.
+Generally, good progress includes advancing your research questions, developing your technical skills, producing results (even negative ones), working toward publications, and __becoming an independent researcher that does not need Spencer__!
+Of course, I understand research has natural ebbs and flows.
+
+## Resources and Support
+
+### What computing resources are available?
+
+Our group has access to various computing resources, like Georgia Tech's PACE cluster and external supercomputing facilities.
+See [Available computers](computers.md) for specific information.
+
+### Is there funding for conferences?
+
+Yes, attending conferences is an important part of academic development.
+Funding is often available for students.
+See [Going to conferences](going-to-conferences.md) for the process of requesting conference funding.
+
+### What should I do if I'm struggling with my research or coursework?
+
+First, know that challenges are normal in research and graduate studies.
+Reach out to Spencer for research difficulties or course instructors for academic challenges.
+
+## Work-Life Balance
+
+### What are the expectations for working hours/days?
+
+I value productivity over specific hours worked.
+While I expect full-time commitment during normal workweeks for funded students, I'm flexible about when and where you work.
+See [When and where of working](when-where-working.md) for more details.
+
+### Can I take vacation time? How much?
+
+Yes, taking breaks is important for maintaining productivity and mental health (at least for most folks).
+Typically, students take 2-3 weeks of vacation per year, plus university holidays.
+This is flexible, so just talk to Spencer and coordinate with Spencer in advance, especially for longer absences.
+You may find yourself taking semi-vacations, where you aren't in town but find yourself doing some side-work for fun anyway.
+This is up to you.

readme.md

@@ -27,6 +27,10 @@
 * [Available computers](group-syllabus/computers.md)
 * [Whose hardware is this, anyway?](group-syllabus/hardware.md)
 
+## Resources
+
+* [FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions](group-syllabus/faq.md)
+
 ## Templates
 
 * [For papers](templates/paper)