Why Undergraduate Physics Research?

WHY do it? Students who engage in undergraduate research find themselves involved in experiences which are intellectually enhancing and life-changing, as their perceptions and priorities begin to grow and expand and change. Once involved in the research experience, students often gain a new appreciation for the learning process itself, and ultimately they decide that what they learn begins to become far more urgent and intense than working for a grade.
WHAT research opportunities await you? The University of Richmond Department of Physics has active research programs in a significant range of areas that are listed below. See the links below to find out more about those programs and the faculty and students doing that science. We typically have 12-16 students doing research each summer. Support for this work comes from the US Department of Energy, National Science Foundation, NASA, the Petroleum Research Fund, and the University of Richmond. For the latest information on what students are doing see Breaking News.

Research Programs
- Experimental Nuclear and Particle Physics.
- Nuclear Theory.
- Astrophysics and Cosmology.
- Condensed matter and nano-physics.
- Experimental Nuclear Structure.
- Biological Physics.
HOW do I get involved? There are abundant research opportunities in Physics. Get in touch with your favorite Physics faculty member and they can tell you more about the opportunities available. You can also email the Department chair Dr. Con Beausang.
WHAT do I get out of it all? Undergraduate research is often the first professional step for many new scientists. Besides starting on their careers as scientists our students also learn to communicate their results to others at the University's annual Student Symposium and at national and international meetings. Some recent presentations are listed on the University of Richmond Physics blog.

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