The background, both in physics and astronomy, requires mastery of a sequence of courses that build on one another bringing the student to a mature understanding of the subject matter. Our very best juniors or seniors take graduate courses. In addition, each student with a B average or better is encouraged to become actively engaged in research, often as early as the summer of their sophomore year. The early experience gives the student an appreciation for the qualities one needs in doing research and also helps the student identify a proposed area of specialization. In these experiences, and in this training, our faculty are the guides.
Undergraduates pursue research during the academic year as well as during the summer.
They are supported on individual and group external grants and through programs administered by the University. The students are guided in their projects by faculty, graduate students, visitors and post-docs. Included in Appendix 1a is a summary of summer 1998's research done under our REU grant. In addition, we have listed activity in Professor Metcalf' s laboratory during the summer of 1996 and an overview from 1995 to the present. Additional research opportunities are available through participation in research courses PHY 287 and 487 as well as in federally-sponsored programs.