[UR Physics Home Page] [WISE Program Home Page]Research Experience in Physics & Astronomy for Undergraduates (REU) at the University of Rochester
(Priscilla Auchincloss and Arie Bodek, Directors)
The Physics and Astronomy Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program is funded by the National Science Foundation to support ten to twelve highly-qualified students to undertake supervised research projects in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, for a period of 10 weeks each summer. Departmental faculty conduct research in diverse experimental and theoretical areas, including Astrophysics, Condensed Matter Physics, Nuclear Physics, Particle Physics, Quantum Optics and Lasers, Plasma Physics, Biological and Medical Physics, and Physics Education. Each summer, the Department's research effort involves approximately 30 undergraduate students, including many funded by multiple sources, in addition to approximately 120 graduate students, 45 postdoctoral research associates, and 30 regular faculty members. Much of the research performed by past undergraduate research assistants has been published in scientific journals. Many students have also presented their work at National Conferences and undergraduate research symposia at the University of Rochester.Program. During the first two weeks of the summer program, REU participants are encouraged to attend mini-courses in electronics and in machine shop techniques. Over the 10-week summer research period, participants also attend a series of informal seminars covering research topics as well as others such as preparing for graduate school. These seminars are intended to foster discussion among REU students and faculty, and to serve as a basis for further social and scientific interaction. The core research experience takes place in the context of research groups working at the University’s research facilities (e.g. The laboratory for Laser Energetics, Mees Observatory, etc.), local industrial laboratories at Kodak and Xerox, and several of the national laboratories. Students present their work at an informal symposium at the end of the summer. They are encouraged to work with their research advisers toward completion of publications, submission of abstracts, and presentations of their work at professional and student conferences.
Stipend and housing. Participants receive a stipend of $3100 plus single accommodation in on-campus housing. Travel to Rochester is arranged and paid for by the Program. For local-area students, funding for part-time work may be provided in the spring semester to allow students to gain experience before beginning their summer research projects. Funding may also be provided in the following academic year, to allow students to complete scientific articles on their research work and/or support their attendance and presentations at conferences.
Participants. Rochester’s Physics & Astronomy REU Program supports a diverse group of participants. More than half of the NSF REU funds support students from other institutions, and the program aims for 50% representation of women and minority students. University of Rochester students, particularly those who have partial funding for summer research from other University sources (such as Advantage Scholars), are encouraged apply to the REU program. In many cases, REU funds may be used to ensure that students are supported for a full 2.5 months of summer research.
To apply: Applicants should be U. S. citizens or permanent residents of the US (alternate sources of funding may be available for non-residents). The completed application must include the following: an application form (which may be obtained from the website or address below), the student’s resume, a photocopy of the student’s grade transcript, and a short statement by the student of his/her research interests and goals. Applicants should request two persons familiar with their academic or prior research work to send letters of recommendation. All materials should be sent by March 1 to: Ms. Connie Jones, REU Program, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rochester, NY 14627-0171 (Phone: 716/275-5306, E-mail: connie@pas.rochester.edu, or FAX: 716/275-8527).
Further information is available at: http://www.pas.rochester.edu/mainFrame/education/undergrad/undergradPrograms.html.
This program is sponsored by the National Science Foundation, the University of Rochester's Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Project and the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
[REU Program Home Page] [REU Application Information]