Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Research Opportunities in Physics

Mark FreemanDept. of Physics, University of Alberta, andNational Institute for Nanotechnology

New address effective 27 April 2011:Centennial Centre for Interdisciplinary Science

CAPS Undergrad Science Research Panel 31 March 2011 CAB 269

for information about specificresearch areas and opportunities:see professor’s web pages,and department brochures

Physicsseeks to understand the physical world, and to describe how it behaves using mathematics as a language

“the most fundamental science” astrophysics particle physics

Physicsseeks to understand the physical world, and to describe how it behaves using mathematics as a language

and is application-oriented in many areascondensed matter physics

geophysics

Physicscomplementary approaches are required:

experimenttheory (pencil and paper)computer simulations

sub-disciplines here at the UofA:astrophysics, biophysics, condensed matter physics, geophysics and particle physics

Physics -- interdisciplinarityin addition to opportunities for physics students, there are possibilities for motivated undergraduates from engineering (engineering physics, electrical, chemical and materials, ...) other from sciences (computing science, math, chemistry, biology) to participate in physics research

many examples of recent research involving undergrads, including:

Why undergrad research?enriches your undergrad experience

day-to-day activities of a physicist very different from coursework. and there is much variety, depending on the sub-discipline and approach. what appeals the most is a matter of personal taste.

best way to develop an informed opinion about certain post-degree options; do they appeal to you?

Mark Freeman / Univ. of Alberta

How to get started.cast a wide net. look at other universities, in addition to this one. look at companies, and government labs (e.g. TRIUMF, NRC), in addition to universities.

start early. for a summer position, be courageous and approach potential supervisors in the Fall.

consider an industrial internship program.

be aware of programs help to fund research assistantships for undergrads.

Mark Freeman / Univ. of Alberta

some programssummer NSERC. the most widely-known opportunity. in the majority of cases in the physics dept. these are filled by physics students.

what about the less “obvious”: positions for non-physics students in physics? positions for physics students outside of physics?

Mark Freeman / Univ. of Alberta

NSERC positions to work at companies:

Norcada,Micralyne,JDS Uniphase,...

Mark Freeman / Univ. of Alberta

IRAP-sponsored positions to work at companies:

the voice of experience:“go and talk to the company, help them submit an IRAP proposal. effectively create your own position; lots of companies don’t even know they can do this!” -- Chris Holt (Eng. Phys. alum; PhD student in CME)

people with 780 area code = local experts!Mark Freeman / Univ. of Alberta

for international students:

Mark Freeman / Univ. of Alberta

consider an industrial internship:

Mark Freeman / Univ. of Alberta

After you get the job.self-motivation is key!

some of your tasks will be of a “complete at your own pace” nature. don’t wait for the next task to be assigned when you are done, volunteer yourself for “what’s next!?”

Mark Freeman / Univ. of Alberta

Why am I involved?It’s not that I don’t like coursework, but I would not have stayed in physics if that was all it is. Undergrad research experiences are the reason I stayed.

As a result of that experience, providing research opportunities for undergrads is one of the most rewarding parts of my job.

Mark Freeman / Univ. of Alberta

some examples from the ultrafast microscopy group

and our most recent examples

Acknowledgements

My summer supervisors:Doug Sheppard/John McDonaldSean McAlisterHerman WillemsenWilly Leonard

Ultrafast microscopy groupundergrads:Todd Kleckner James Stotz Dave Fortin Eric FinleyKen Harris Jason Middleton Tim Brown Michael CummingsDean Spicer Tom Clement Kevin Schostek David InglisKimberley Mervyn Rhyan Arthur Rahim JanmohamedGraham Nelson Lindsay LeBlanc Michael CookTimmy Le Jon Klippenstein Jason Sorge Daniel SalamonSteven Olson Cindy Blois Delphine Lagarde Carl SwansonAlastair Fraser Jen Moroz Kevin Olsen Justin KautzVIncent Sauer George Coomber Sonia MilbradtDenys Grombacher Jocelyn Westwood Gigi WangStephen Portillo

CAPS Undergrad Science Research Panel 31 March 2011 Mark Freeman

Support:NSERC iCORE NINTCRC CIFAR CFI UofA