In my two days back to work, I've caught up with the four GRBs that were detected while I was away. Two of them were interesting, but none of them showed any coherent pulsations or other unusual traits.

I spoke with Chryssa on Friday about my search for The Dissertation Topic (capitalized to emphasize importance). I've been keeping up with the recent GRB papers as they're uploaded to Astro-ph. She gave me a few more directions to explore and papers to read.

Right now I'm focusing on higher-energy (let's say, optical through gamma-ray) emission from GRBs and afterglows. I need to find an angle that no one else has explored or has not explored enough, and that I want to pursue and write about for the next couple of years. I want to find a direction this month and explore it this summer so I can be absolutely sure it's what I want and can do as a thesis. That way, once I pass my comprehensive exam in January, I will be ready to present my research topic to my yet-unformed committee.

Today is also the start of my comprehensive exam studying. Over the next eight months, I will learn astrophysics, quantum mechanics, classical mechanics, statistical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, and relativity better than I'll ever know them. In January, I will take a written exam that will decide if I am eligible to obtain a master's degree and continue on as a doctoral student. It's only offered once a year, so I'm going to make sure I pass the first time.