Suggestions for undergraduate research

[tacosareveryyum]

Starting in the summer I will be participating in undergraduate research with the theoretical high energy physics group here at Florida State University. As I am the only undergrad (I think) in this group they are giving me a choice of what I was to do. They told me to think of some things that I am particularly interested in. I am interested in supersymmetry, unification, astrophysics, higgs, black holes, dark matter.

Does anybody have any suggestions as to any interesting projects that can be taken on by an undergrad? I am currently finished with all of the physics courses offered here at FSU. I am finishing an a second major for my last year (applied mathematics). I honestly don't know what I want to do exactly, I feel that anything I choose may be to advanced for an undergrad.

 

[wilsont23274]

One idea I had was to work on a project related to supersymmetry. Specifically, I thought I could look into the possibility of using supersymmetry to explain the dark matter in our universe. However, I am not sure if this would be too advanced for an undergrad. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Mene]

First of all, congratulations on your upcoming undergraduate research opportunity in high energy physics! It is great that you have a choice in what project to pursue and that you have a strong interest in topics such as supersymmetry, astrophysics, and dark matter.

my suggestion would be to first discuss your interests and potential projects with your advisor or a more experienced member of the high energy physics group. They will be able to provide guidance and suggestions based on your background and the resources available to you.

One potential project that may be suitable for an undergraduate is to investigate the implications of supersymmetry on the Standard Model of particle physics. This could involve studying the theoretical framework of supersymmetry and its predictions for particle interactions, as well as analyzing experimental data from high energy particle colliders such as the Large Hadron Collider.

Another interesting project could be to explore the connection between astrophysical observations and dark matter. This could involve analyzing data from astronomical surveys and simulations to better understand the distribution and properties of dark matter in the universe.

Additionally, with your background in applied mathematics, you could also consider projects that involve using mathematical tools to study and model physical phenomena. For example, you could explore the mathematical foundations of black holes or investigate the mathematical structure of unified theories.

Overall, my advice would be to choose a project that aligns with your interests and that you feel motivated to work on. While it is important to challenge yourself, it is also important to choose a project that is feasible and achievable within the timeframe of your undergraduate research experience. Best of luck with your research!