Student Research in Physics and Astronomy
All physics and astronomy majors have the opportunity to perform meaningful and potentially publishable research, working closely with our faculty. Our current research areas include quantum computing, observational cosmology, nonlinear physics and fluid dynamics, extragalactic astronomy, biophysics, and nanoscience.
Students interested in a research career can explore the depth of their interest, and try out a particular subfield. We also feel it is important for students interested in other careers to get a taste of what research is really like. For example, some real experience with scientific research would aid the decision making of a graduate who went into government, or assist a teacher who might counsel students on career choices. Also, not infrequently, students discover a real love of research and revise their career plans.
Research in Physics
In physics, most of the student research experience is connected with the senior paper and talk, which form the backbone of Physics 399, our Senior Seminar course. All physics majors must complete such a project; about 80% base the paper on original research they have performed (either at Haverford, or elsewhere in the summer), and about 10% write a paper summarizing the research literature on a particular topic. The remaining 10% consists of students working toward a teaching certificate, who are required to put in a very substantial effort in student teaching at local schools. Their experiences and observations, together with readings in the literature on education, often form the basis for their paper.
Resarch in Astronomy
All astronomy and astrophysics majors are required to engage in research. Most students perform this research at Haverford, although some students use an off-campus research experience to fulfill this requirement (with approval from the faculty). For astrophysics majors, this research must be presented in a senior paper and talk. For astronomy majors, where a senior paper is not required, student research enters the students' curriculum as a course (Astro 404). This course is open to Bryn Mawr student; they like their Haverford peers may also do astronomy research as their senior project in physics. Haverford astronomy students have recently investigated: theoretical general relativity, the possible effect of radio sources on Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect surveys, observational tracers of minor mergers in nearby galaxies, the observable properties of the least luminous galaxies in the Universe, and searches for ultra-faint dwarf galaxies and star clusters never before seen.
Research and Faculty involvement
For those doing original research, about 70% begin work with a Haverford professor for 10 weeks in the summer before the senior year, and continue it for academic credit during the school year. In physics, about 10% perform research off-campus (e.g. at an REU site) during the summer before their senior year, and then develop this into a senior thesis under the supervision of a Haverford professor, with continued input from the summer reserch supervisor. The proportion is larger in astronomy because a higher proportion of off-campus opportunities are available, including those at other colleges which are part of the Keck Northeast Astronomy Consortium. About 10% of our students begin original research with a Haverford professor in the senior academic year. The remaining 10% begin original research during their senior year, but in an area outside the direct expertise of any of the faculty. A faculty mentor supervises this research, which must usually be supported by a significant literature research project in order to make a meaningful thesis.
Summer Research Opportunities
There are also summer research opportunities at Haverford for rising juniors and sophomores, Each year, we encourage students at all levels to discuss their interests with any professor they may wish to work with. Students who wish to pursue summer research then submit ranked lists of the professors they wish to work with. As a department, we consider these lists, and attempt to make the best matches between students and faculty. All rising seniors who wish to do research here are essentially guaranteed a summer position. However, there is no preference given to rising juniors over rising sophomores. In general, we have been able to accomodate the majority of juniors and sophomores applying for summer research, although there are variations due to class size.
During a typical summer, there are about eight students doing research in physics here, of whom six are rising seniors. We have ample funding for summer student stipends. All the tenure-track faculty have outside grants, which generally include funds for stipends. Some students working in biophysics receive stipend support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute through Haverford's Hughes scholars program. Finally, the College has monies to support summer students for projects which are not yet externally funded.
Off-Campus Research
We also strongly encourage students at all levels to apply for off-campus research positions. We rely largely on announcements from REU sites and the like, or summer research opportunities which arise through our professional contacts.
We are proud of the quality of research our students complete. It is frequently of quality to merit publication in good journals (Astrophysical Journal, Nature, Physical Review Letters, and the like).