Physics 114: Undergraduate Research Opportunities Why participate in undergraduate research? Can I get paid to do research? Whom should I speak with about possible positions? John Federici NJIT Physics Department

TRIVIA QUESTION! How many research active tenured/ tenure-track faculty are there in the Physics Department? (a) 9 (b) 11 (c) 13 (d) 15 (e) 17 (f) 19 (g) 21

Why participate in UG research? Its fun You learn what a ‘real physicist’ actually does You can get PAID for your work You can get college course credit for your work It looks REALLY good on a resume for either graduate school or for employment after NJIT Your advisor can write you a MEANINGFUL letter of recommendation for graduate school or employment

Get Paid or Course credit? You can not get paid AND get course credit for the same work. You need to make a choice. Term Credits 18 Fourth Year 1st Semester PHYS 442 Introto Quantum Mechanics 3 Technical Elective 3 Management Elective 3 Phys/OPSE/EE Elective 3 Term Credits 15 2nd Semester OPSE 310 Virtual Instrumentation 3 PHYS 450 Advd Physics Laboratory 3 Phys/EE Elective 3 Capstone Seminar Elective 3 PHYS 490. Independent Study. 3 credits, 3 contact hours (0;0;3). Prerequisite: Departmental approval. Undertake individual research or a project under the supervision of a member of the physics department.

Getting Paid for Research National Science Foundation (NSF) – Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/ ANY faculty member with NSF funds can request additional funds to support an REU student. Faculty will also have other Grants/ Contracts to pay for students. ASK the faculty about (a) are they looking for someone? (b) can I work for pay or credit? There is funding available from NJIT: http://centers.njit.edu/uri/programs/index.php http://centers.njit.edu/uri/programs/provost-fellowship.php http://centers.njit.edu/uri/content/student-seed-grant-program/

Whom should I speak with at NJIT about possible positions? http://physics.njit.edu/physics-faculty/ Look at faculty websites, ask other students, speak with your course instructors, etc. to find out who is doing interesting work. Make an appointment with a prospective advisor and SPEAK with them about their research and if they have any positions available. BRING YOUR RESUME! Are you looking for credit or pay? Have you/ advisor identify sources of payment (eg. their research grants or NJIT University funds)

Phys 114 – Guest speakers To help facilitate the potential matching of students with faculty, your Phys 114 instructor has arranged for faculty to come to class and discuss (~10-15 min) their research. Faculty who will make presentation in class: Prof. Federici Prof. B. Thomas Prof. G. Thomas Prof. Gerrard Prof. Gary Prof. Kosovichev Prof. Dias And hopefully more……