Summer Undergraduate Research Program in Astrophysics

Welcome

The Department of Astronomy and the Center for Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics (CCAPP) sponsor a summer research program for Ohio State undergraduates. This program offers full-time, paid summer research positions in astrophysics with a faculty member of the Department of Astronomy and/or Physics. Here is a link to this year's Program Poster.

Previous Participants

Here is a list of Program Alumni, including their projects, advisors, and where they are now.

News

Congratulations to Li-Wei Hung and Anna Kwa, receipients of Undergraduate Research Scholarships.

Requirements

Successful applicants must be willing to work full time (40 hours/week) on research for 12 weeks during 2011, starting on June 13. The program therefore runs from June 13 to September 2 in Summer 2011. Note that we strongly discourage participants from taking classes concurrent with the program. Participants must also commit to:

Write an Undergraduate Thesis on the research project

Enroll in at least 6 credit hours of H783 during the following academic year to complete the thesis

Present at our Undergraduate Research Symposium at the end of the summer, typically on the afternoon of the last Friday (September 2).

Participate in the NMS Undergraduate Research Forum and the Denman Undergraduate Research Forum

Completion of an Undergraduate Thesis in Astronomy is one of the requirements for graduation with Research Distinction (for non-Honors students) or with Honors Research Distinction (for Honors students), which is noted on a student's degree and permanent academic record.

Who May Apply?

The Summer Undergraduate Research Program is primarily intended for juniors interested in graduate study in astrophysics, although exceptional sophomores will also be considered. Participants are typically astronomy majors or majors in a closely-related field who have, or will have, completed Astronomy 291 and 292 before they are to begin summer research. These courses provide essential background information for most research projects. An exception is engineering students interested in astronomical instrumentation, but who may not have completed any astronomy coursework. We encourage applications from engineering students interested in projects in our instrumentation group.

There will be approximately five positions available for Summer 2011. This program is only open to undergraduates at The Ohio State University.

Application Information

Applications are due January 31, 2011. A complete application includes a cover letter with your contact information, a copy of your OSU Advising Report, and a 500 word essay on why you want to pursue research in astrophysics. You may also mention if you would like to pursue research in specific areas. We will do our best to accommodate preferences, although we can make no guarantees. We plan to select and notify applicants by the last week of Winter Quarter. Send your application to:

Summer Undergraduate Research Program

Department of Astronomy

The Ohio State University

4055 McPherson Lab

140 West 18th Avenue

Columbus, OH 43210

For More Information

For general information visit the Astronomy Department's website at www.astronomy.ohio-state.edu. If you have specific questions about the Summer Undergraduate Research Program please contact:

Professor Paul Martini
Director of Undergraduate Studies
Department of Astronomy
4021 McPherson Lab
140 West 18th Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43210-1173
Phone: +1 614 292-8632
Email: martini.10@osu.edu

Sponsors

This program has been generously supported by the Department of Astronomy, the Center for Cosmology and AstroParticle Physics, as well as grants from the National Science Foundation and NASA to individual faculty advisors.