Stanford University Department of Physics - Academics: Undergraduate Program

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Department of Physics

undergraduate summer research program

2012 Undergraduate Summer Research
in
Physics, Applied Physics (AP), SLAC

updated 06 June 2012

Eligibility: Stanford Physics and Engineering Physics majors

Program dates:
June 25 - August 31, 2012 (10 wks)

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Announcements

Summer Orientation Meeting, Monday June 25, Varian 355
Online Application materials now live (02 March 2012)
Available Positions table updated 14 Mar. 2012
Positions also available in Geophysics/Earth Sciences , BioEngineering
Orientation Meeting: Friday Jan 20, 12-1 pm, Hewlett 102

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Program Dates and Stipends

Both 8-week and 10-week positions are offered at the discretion of each Faculty Mentor. The dates and stipends are:

10-weeks: $5600 June 25-August 31, 2012
8-weeks: $4480 June 25-August 17(early start) , OR July 9 - August 31, 2012 (late start)

See the list of Summer 2012 Research Positions

Program Description

The Summer Research Program offered by the Departments of Physics, Applied Physics and SLAC is open to Stanford undergraduate Physics and Engineering Physics majors, plus those considering Physics as a major, who wish to dedicate eight or ten weeks of the Summer quarter to research in Physics.

Note: This program is limited to Stanford students, and is not an NSF-REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) program. Information on undergraduate summer research at a variety of other universities is available at the NSF REU website.

While the focus of the program is to strongly encourage our majors to complete an Honors Thesis, the Summer Research Program also provides an opportunity for students to experience lab research early on in their undergraduate career. The program is structured to fulfill this two-fold purpose, while at the same time serving as many students as possible with limited funding. In order to maximize the benefits of all funding sources, priority for departmental program funds is given to first-time applicants.

Funding for program participants comes from different sources. Although we currently accept applications from Freshmen, ideally students qualify for a Physics/AP/SLAC Summer Research Fellowship after their sophomore year. At this point most students have spent a significant amount of time studying physics in the classroom and are eager to do research. Once a student successfully completes the Summer Research Program and continues their studies in Physics they are generally prepared to research a topic that they will develop into an Honors Thesis during their senior year. Students applying to the program for the second time, and/or entering senior year, should also apply for a Student Major Grant from Undergraduate Research Programs (UAR) in the event that the Physics/Applied Physics program is not able to award a fellowship for their second summer of research.

In addition to working on research, program participants attend the weekly Research Advisor Seminar Series. This series consists of individual presentations and lab tours by those faculty members currently serving as research advisors for the program. Participants are required to attend all scheduled seminars during their eight or ten weeks of research. Optional field trips to the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) and physics related Bay Area attractions (e.g. NASA, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, etc.) provide an educational “break” from research. Presentation of research at a final poster session and a paper on their research experience are also required of all participants.

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Application Procedure

To apply, follow the procedures outlined below. Applicants must be Stanford Physics or Engineering Physics undergraduate students who will not have graduated by June 2012. If you are a coterm student going into your 5th year, you must not have received your B.S. degree prior to the summer--funding is not available for students who have their B.S.

Prior to submitting the application, you need to find a faculty member to be your Mentor for the summer. Do this as follows:

Many faculty members make positions available for undergrads over the summer. Refer to the table of available positions at Undergraduate Physics Research Positions, Summer 2012 to determine with which faculty member you are interested in working. Contact faculty members directly to discuss available opportunities. Links to faculty research interests are listed here. Note that this table of available positions is only a list of suggestions--you may work with any faculty member in Physics, Applied Physics or SLAC.

Once a faculty member agrees to serve as your mentor, have them fill out and sign a paper copy of the Faculty Advisor Agreement.

The application itself consists of the following:

1. Online Application form, which includes the following attachments:
    a.    200-300 word description/abstract of the research work you will do this summer.
    b.    a copy of your unofficial Stanford transcript

2. Submit a paper copy of the Faculty Advisor Agreement to Elva Carbajal <elva@stanford.edu> in Varian 107 (Physics Main Office):

The deadline to return completed forms is Monday March 12, 2012 at 5 pm. It is in your best interest to complete this process as soon as possible. Every effort will be made to ensure that the maximum number of qualified students are invited to participate in the summer program. All applicants will be notified with a yes/no/waitlist decision by the beginning of Spring quarter.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are Engineering Physics majors eligible for this program?
Yes, provided you work with a faculty member in Physics, Applied Physics or SLAC. If you wish to work with a faculty member in the Engineering School, you should apply to that department’s summer research program.

Do I have to be a declared Physics/Engineering Physics major to apply?
Priority will be given to declared Physics and Engineering Physics majors. If you have a particular reason for not declaring, mention it in your application, or consult with Rick Pam , Academic Director of the Profram, prior to submitting your application.
What if I want to work with a faculty member outside of Physics, Applied Physics or SLAC?
Under certain circumstances, Physics/Engineering Physics majors can work with a faculty member outside Physics/AP/SLAC:

your topic should be closely related to physics (e.g., biophysics, medical physics) and you must be directly involved in research;
if the faculty member is in a department with its own summer research program, you should seek support from the other department.
If we have more applicants than we can support, priority will be given to students working with Physics/Applied Physics/SLAC faculty, all other things being equal.
If you are considering working for a faculty member outside Physics, Applied Physics or SLAC, please consult with Rick Pam before finalizing your application.

What if I want to work with a faculty member who is not on the list of Available Positions?
You can work with faculty who are not on the list. The list itself consists of faculty members who are actively looking for students. The Physics Summer Research Program provides funding directly to Physics/Eng Physics majors, not to faculty. Thus you are welcome to find other faculty members to work with, subject to FAQ #3, above.

Do I have to be available for the full eight or ten weeks?
Yes, you should be here for the 8 or 10 "official" weeks so that you can participate fully in all activities associated with the Physics/AP/SLAC Summer Research Program. If there are particular circumstances that prevent you from attending these weeks, mention them in your application or consult with Rick Pam prior to submitting your application.

Can I apply if I was already supported through this program for summer research in Physics in a previous year?
All other things being equal, priority will be given to students who have not received support through the Physics/AP/SLAC program in previous years. If you have received support in previous years, consider applying for a Student Major Grant from Undergraduate Advising and Research Programs (UAR) . You can still apply to the Physics/AP/SLAC program in case we have additional funding.
Can I apply for summer research in physics if I am a Freshman?
Doing research after your Freshman year is not out of the question. Look carefully at the preferences in terms of skills and courses listed for each faculty member in the 2012 table of available positions. (under construction). Some faculty state a preference for coursework that Freshmen are unlikely to have, while others have more minimal requirements.
Can I apply for summer research in physics if I am a rising 5th year or coterminal student?

Rising 5th year or Physics coterminal students will have the same priority for funding as rising seniors (see #9 below). However, funding is not available for coterminal students who have received their B.S. degree prior to the start of the Summer Research program.

What are the selection priorities in the event there are more applicants than funding?

Rising seniors with no prior SRP funding (*)

Rising juniors with no prior SRP funding

Rising sophs with no prior SRP funding

Rising juniors with prior SRP funding

Rising seniors with prior SRP funding (*)
* -- rising seniors will be asked to apply for a Student Major Grant from Undergraduate Advising and Research for honors thesis work.

Does my faculty mentor absolutely have to give one of the weekly seminars?
No, not absolutely. In fact, we anticipate that we will have more mentors than available slots.

By submitting an application to the physics summer research program, am I committed to the program if I am accepted? What if I want to apply to other summer programs, such as other Stanford programs or one of the NSF REU programs at other universities?
You are not committing to the program by applying, and are in fact encouraged to explore multiple programs since we cannot guarantee funding for all interested students. If you are accepted, you will be asked to commit by the start of Spring quarter.

Do I have to live on campus while in the program?
No, you don't have to live on campus. If you are interested in living on campus, see the web page for Summer Housing
Does the fellowship also cover living expenses?
You must pay your own living expenses out of the $4480/$5600 stipend. This can be either in on-campus Summer Housing ,or anywhere else you choose to live.
Can I attend summer school while participating in the Summer Research Program?
In general, no. In past years faculty have found that attending summer classes reduces a student's effectiveness in their research. You should plan to devote full time to your research over the 8 or 10 week period.

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Program Staff

Rick Pam, Academic Director
650-725-2365, Varian 242

Elva Carbajal, Undergraduate Student Services
650-723-4362 Physics Main Office, Varian 107

Prof. Hari Manoharan, Director of Undergraduate Study
650-723-7263, McCullogh 348

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FACULTY RESEARCH INTERESTS AND BIOs

For more information on the Physics Department Summer Research Program, feel free to contact the Physics Department Undergraduate Program Coordinator, Elva Carbajal at 650-723-4362 or elva@stanford.edu.

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