Award Abstract #0754673
A Community College REU Site for Physics Applications in Astronomy and Biology

NSF Org:	PHY Division of Physics
Initial Amendment Date:	June 17, 2008
Latest Amendment Date:	June 17, 2008
Award Number:	0754673
Award Instrument:	Continuing grant
Program Manager:	Kathleen V. McCloud PHY Division of Physics MPS Directorate for Mathematical & Physical Sciences
Start Date:	June 15, 2008
Expires:	May 31, 2009 (Estimated)
Awarded Amount to Date:	$245000
Investigator(s):	David Lieberman dlieberman@qcc.cuny.edu (Principal Investigator) Tak David Cheung (Co-Principal Investigator)
Sponsor:	CUNY Queensborough Community College 222-05 56th Avenue Bayside, NY 11364 718/631-6222
NSF Program(s):	OFFICE OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY AC, SPECIAL PROGRAMS IN ASTRONOMY
Field Application(s):	0000099 Other Applications NEC
Program Reference Code(s):	SMET, 9250, 9178
Program Element Code(s):	1253, 1219

ABSTRACT

This award supports a new Research Experience for Undergraduates site to be located at CUNY Queensborough Community College. The site will expand community college student participation in the application of physics to astronomy and biology. The theoretical aspect will focus on data mining and analysis using the national science data banks such as the NASA Hubble data and the RCSB protein data. The experimental aspect will focus on data collection using the computer controlled laser labs via LabVIEW. The projects will focus on optical measurements of biological samples and their relationships to the biological growth conditions. The site will recruit eight students and two high school teachers each year, and will provide a national model for community college based research tailored for lower division students. The remote controlled laser lab capability will enable a consortium of community colleges to share expensive equipment and introduce talented community college students to bio-physics, medical instrumentation and related careers; as well as lasers, optics, photonics and related engineering careers. The utilization of the national science data banks under a physics theme will enable the community college physics faculty to bring the forefront of science to the classrooms to attract and retain talented students, and to inspire high school teachers as well.

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