Where can I find research opportunities in physics and nuclear engineering?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion focuses on finding research opportunities in physics and nuclear engineering, particularly for undergraduate students seeking experience outside their current academic institutions. Participants share various programs, express concerns about qualifications, and discuss the competitiveness of applications.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about places to apply for research experience outside of their school, noting they are a sophomore with no previous experience.
  • Another participant suggests searching for REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) programs and provides a link to a Google search.
  • A participant mentions the DOE Internship as a potential opportunity for U.S. citizens and shares a relevant link.
  • Concerns are expressed about the competitiveness of REU programs, with one participant feeling underqualified due to their GPA of 3.7 compared to others with higher GPAs.
  • Another participant encourages applying to REU programs regardless of GPA, sharing their own experience of being accepted to a summer program at Fermilab without a perfect GPA.
  • Multiple links to various research programs are shared, including those at ANL, Caltech, NASA, and others, indicating a range of opportunities available.
  • A question is raised about the eligibility of international students for REU programs, leading to clarification that most are limited to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, though some schools may accept exceptional international candidates.
  • One participant expresses interest in declaring a Master's in Nuclear Engineering and shares additional links to nuclear engineering research programs.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of confidence regarding their qualifications for research programs, with some feeling discouraged while others encourage broader applications. There is no consensus on the competitiveness of specific programs like Los Alamos, and eligibility for REU programs remains a point of clarification.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about their qualifications for research opportunities based on GPA, while others highlight that experience levels vary among applicants. The discussion includes multiple links to programs, but the effectiveness or accessibility of these programs is not resolved.

Who May Find This Useful

Undergraduate students in physics or nuclear engineering seeking research opportunities, as well as those interested in understanding the application process for various internships and fellowships.

Winzer
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Where are some good places to apply that I can get some expierence in research in?
Besides my school.
Note: I do not have any prevoius expierence and am a sophomore with an Engineering Physics degree declared.
 
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robphy said:
www.google.com/search?q=reu+site%3Aphysicsforums.com

Wow, an REU program I could only dream about. I don't think i would be able to pull that off though. I have seen the people that apply to those. They usually have 4.0's. I on the other hand only have a 3.7. I highly doubt I am qualified for that. But thank you.
Maybe when I am a junior or a senoir I will apply.

Thanks though.
ZapperZ said:
You may want to look at the DOE Internship as well, if you are a US citizen.

http://www.scied.science.doe.gov/SciEd/erulf/about.html

Zz.
This looks great. I am think of applying to NREL because I am a colorado resident.
How Los Alamos definatly looks like good also. I maight have to try for both.
Fermi and the Stanford linear accelerator are great but that's probably too competitive for me.

Thanks Zap
 
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All levels of experience and all levels of grades (ok, not failing grades...) get into REU programs.
 
Winzer said:
Wow, an REU program I could only dream about. I don't think i would be able to pull that off though. I have seen the people that apply to those. They usually have 4.0's. I on the other hand only have a 3.7. I highly doubt I am qualified for that. But thank you.
Maybe when I am a junior or a senoir I will apply.

I did a summer program after my junior year at Fermilab... without having a 4.0.
So, don't count yourself out too soon. Just apply.
 
ANL DOE Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships Program: http://www.dep.anl.gov/p_undergrad/summer.htm

Caltech Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships: http://www.surf.caltech.edu/

CPIMA Summer Undergraduate Research Experiences Program: http://www.stanford.edu/group/cpima//education/general_info.html

NASA Undergraduate Student Research Program: http://www.vsgc.odu.edu/Menu3_1_3.htm

NSF Science & Technology Centers (STCs) Undergraduate Research Experience: http://www.nsfstc.org/

NSA Signals Intelligence Collection & Collection Management Summer Intern Program: http://www.nsa.gov/careers/students_1.cfm

Others can be found at http://www.astromiror.org/opportunities.html.

Good luck!
 
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is REU only for american students?
 
Most are, since they are funded by the National Science Foundation, which only funds U.S. citizens and permanent residents. But some schools (Baylor, Montana State) are willing to take exceptional international candidates and fund them out of departmental funds.
 
  • #10
Is it hard to get into los alamos?
 
  • #11
I should mention that I also intend to declare a MS I Nuclear Engineering, my junior year.
 
  • #12
Winzer said:
I should mention that I also intend to declare a MS I Nuclear Engineering, my junior year.

Here are two more links to programs with nuclear engineering research:

Bettis Summer Intern Program: http://www.bettislab.com/internprogram.html

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Summer Employment Program: http://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/employment/student-prog/summer-prog-faq.html
 
Last edited by a moderator:

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