College of Science

REU Introduction

REU students at Wrigley Field

Each summer the Department of Physics at Purdue runs a National Science Foundation funded Research Experience for Undergraduates program. This year's 10 week program runs from May 26th, 2009 until July 31st, 2009. The target date for applications is March 1, applications will be accepted until all positions are filled. We begin reviewing applications in early February. Allowances may be made for students whose Summer Break begins after this start date.

The main goal of the program is to give undergraduates an opportunity to participate in a forefront research project.

Research Experiences for Teachers
An associated program (RET) offers a similar research opportunity to K-12 teachers. Details about the RET program and the application materials are found in this announcement.

Some program highlights of the REU program are:

Research ProjectResearch project - In each research project students will work closely with a member of our faculty. The projects will be in a wide variety of areas, including high energy physics, accelerator mass spectrometry, condensed matter physics, geophysics, biophysics, nuclear physics and astrophysics. Descriptions of the students' projects from previous years can be found in the Projects page.

StipendStipend -- Each student will receive a stipend of $450 per week. The costs of housing (in a campus residence hall) and meals will be covered by the program. A travel allowance will also be available.

Weekly SeminarsWeekly seminars - students will learn about current research frontiers in physics.

Social ProgramsSocial programs -- outdoor activities (hiking, canoeing, Cubs game etc.), and trips to Fermilab and Argonne National Laboratory.

Social ProgramsStudent presentations and research symposium -- The REU students make presentations on their work on two occasions during the program. At the halfway point of the program, we have an afternoon mini-symposium at which each student gives a short (15 minute) oral presentation. At the end of the program we have a research mini-conference, to which all students and faculty in the department are invited. These talks will describe what has been accomplished, and plans or suggestions for the future.

Social ProgramsConferences -- In recent years many students from Purdue have given presentations at undergraduate research conferences (e.g. annual conferences at Butler University and at Argonne National Laboratory). We encourage the REU students to present their work at these and other undergraduate conferences, and provide funding to support this.

Social ProgramsOngoing research -- Where possible, students are encouraged to continue work on their projects after the end of the formal program. This is accomplished through visits to Purdue, collaboration through the internet, and work at the student's home institution. Funding is available to sponsor these activities.

In accordance with Purdue Policies, all persons have equal access to Purdue University's educational programs, services and activities, without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, disability or status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran. For a more complete statement of Purdue's policies of equal access and equal opportunity, CLICK HERE. If you have any questions or concerns regarding these policies, please contact the Office of the Vice President for Human Relations at vphr@purdue.edu or 765-494-5830.
Program related questions/comments: research-undergrad@physics.purdue.edu
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