Research Courses
Are you interested in conducting independent, cutting-edge research with the Physics and Astrophysics Department? Are you looking for a project to fulfill the Physics Major Capstone requirement? Are you working toward the Physics Honors program? Are you interested in the Bowman or Trident Research programs? This site will help guide you toward registering for the correct course and getting in touch with professors who are offering independent research projects for this Academic Year.
See below for course options this Academic Year. Check the link to the left to see what Research Projects are being offered this semester. Contact your Academic advisor and the faculty POC of the project you are interested in to get started!
Course Options for Independent Research:
SP481C/SP482C PHYSICS RESEARCH PREPARATION: Offered in the Fall (481C) and Spring (482C) Semester. 1 course credit (typically 2 lab or research hours/week). Designed for 3/C or interested MIDN to start setting the foundation for a follow-on research project. Not eligible for Math and Science Elective (MSE EL) , Free Elective (FR EL) or Physics Capstone credit or counting toward minimum credit loads.
SP483C/SP484C PHYSICS RESEARCH INTRODUCTION: Offered in the Fall (483C) and Spring (482C) Semester. 2 course credits (typically 4 lab or research hours/week). Designed for all classes to enter into more detailed measurements or calculations in support of a research project. Not eligible for Math and Science Elective (MSE EL) , Free Elective (FR EL) or Physics Capstone credit or counting toward minimum credit loads.
SP485C/SP486C PHYSICS ADVANCED STUDY: Offered in the Fall (485C) and Spring (486C) Semester. 3 course credits (typically 2 recitation and 2 lab hours/week). Advanced instruction in a special topic or design of special apparatus. Counts as credit toward Math and Science Elective (MSE EL) and Free Elective (FR EL) and for Physics Capstone project.
SP495/SP496 PHYSICS RESEARCH PROJECT: Offered in the Fall (485C) and Spring (486C) Semester. 3 course credits (typically 6 lab or research hours/week). Full research course culminating in a written report and poster presentation. Requires a formal proposal for acceptance by the Department Research Committee. Counts toward the Physics Capstone project and Bowman research projects as well as credit toward Math and Science Elective (MSE EL) and Free Elective (FR EL).
SP503/SP504 HONORS PHYSICS RESEARCH: Offered in the Fall (503) and Spring (504) Semester. 3 course credits (typically 6 lab or research hours/week). Required for students seeking the Physics Honors track. Full research course culminating in a written report and poster presentation. Requires a formal proposal for acceptance by the Department Research Committee. Counts toward the Physics Capstone project and Bowman research projects and is required for graduating with Honors.
