Department of Physics and Astronomy

Research Experience Programs

The Department of Physics & Astronomy is the site for two National Science Foundation supported Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) and Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) programs.  To find more information about these programs, including application procedures, please click on their website:



Program Goals
  • Exposing undergraduates and science teachers to the latest modern research 
  • Educating  students and teachers in different laboratory techniques
  • Motivating undergraduates towards careers in science
  • Improving the oral and written communication skills of the students
  • Fostering partnerships with the metropolitan science teachers and schools

Research Areas

High Energy Particle and Nuclear Physics Program --  The departmental high energy particle and nuclear physics collaboration of CLEO and STAR in conjunction with the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS) and Brookhaven National Laboratory provide the opportunity for students and teachers to spend 10 weeks at these sites working in such areas as:

 

  • Experimental and theoretical particle physics
  • Experimental and theoretical nuclear physics
  • Accelerator physics
  • Instrumentation for scientific research 
  • High performance distributed computing
  • Synchrotron radiation in scientific research
  • Nuclear chemistry
Smart Sensors & Integrated Microsystems Program -- Faculty in condensed matter/material physics are involved in an interdisciplinary research program with faculty in electrical & computer engineering in developing materials and devices for sensor application, including:

 

  • Wide bandgap semiconductors
  • Organic thin films
  • Graded pyroelectric infrared sensor systems
  • Magnetic sensors and devices
  • Integrated technology
  • Biosensors