Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Research Opportunities in Physics

Mark FreemanDepartment of PhysicsCentennial Centre for Interdisciplinary ScienceUniversity of AlbertaandNational Institute for Nanotechnology

www.ualberta.ca/~freemanm

Undergrad Research Panel: Natural Sciences 24 Nov 2011 CCIS 1-140

http://pd-srv-web-01.physics.ualberta.ca/~dcfortin/nano/index.php

Physicsseeks to understand the physical world, and to describe how it behaves using mathematics as a language

“the most fundamental science” astrophysics particle physics

Sudbury Neutrino Observatory(Profs. Hallin, Krauss)

Chandra X-ray telescope(Profs. Heinke, Sivakoff) MR Freeman

University of Alberta

Physics is also application-oriented in many areas

condensed matter physics

geophysics

quantum dots(Profs. Meldrum, Hegmann)

sub-surface imaging(Profs. Sacchi, Gu, Unsworth)

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Physicsuses complementary approaches to problems

experimenttheory (pencil and paper)computer simulations

has many specialized sub-disciplineshere at the UofA:

astrophysics, biophysics, condensed matter physics, geophysics and particle physics

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Physics -- interdisciplinarityin addition to opportunities for physics students, there are possibilities for motivated undergraduates from engineering (engineering physics, electrical, chemical and materials, ...) and from other from sciences (computing science, math, chemistry, biology) to participate in physics research

many examples of recent research involving undergrads, including:

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Craig Heinke X-ray and Optical Astronomy

X-ray Binaries, Neutron Stars, and Globular Clusters

X-ray Image of the Globular Cluster 47 Tuc

Ian Mann Space Plasma Physics

John P. Davis Low-Temperature Quantum Nanoscience

Ultra-Low Temperature Physics + Nanofabrication / Nanomechanics = New Frontiers of Physics

Nanomechanical Measurements of Nanoscale Superconductivity:

Nanomechanical Measurements of Quantum Fluids in Confined Geometries:

• How large can an object be, and still be quantum mechanical?• Are there new superfluid phases in one and two dimensions?• Why do nanoscale superconductors have enhanced transition temperatures?

To answer these questions and many more, we combine nanofabrication, nanomechanics, state-of-the-art ultra-low-temperature techniques, stabilized lasers, fiber-optics, on-chip photonics, and more.

Find out more of the story at: www.ualberta.ca/~jdavis

at the National Institute for Nanotechnology

NINT is a partnership between the Gov’ts of Canada and Alberta, the National Research Council and the UofA.

Physics Profs at NINTJohn DavisMark FreemanBob WolkowMichael Woodside

Physics Adjunct Profs from NINT Wayne HiebertMarek MalacGino Di Labio

Physics

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Why undergrad research?enriches your undergrad experience

day-to-day activities of a physicist very different from coursework. and there is much variety, depending on the sub-discipline and approach. what appeals the most is a matter of personal taste.

best way to develop an informed opinion about certain post-degree options

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Why am I involved?It’s not that I don’t like coursework, but I would not have stayed in physics if that was all it is. Undergrad research experiences are the reason I stayed.

As a result of that experience, providing research opportunities for undergrads is one of the most rewarding parts of my job.

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some examples from the ultrafast microscopy group:

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and our record number of undergrad co-authors:

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How to get started.cast a wide net. look at other universities, in addition to this one. look at companies, and government labs (e.g. TRIUMF, NRC), in addition to universities.

start early. for a summer position, be courageous and approach potential supervisors in the Fall.

consider an industrial internship program.

be aware of programs help to fund research assistantships for undergrads.

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some programssummer NSERC. the most widely-known opportunity. in the majority of cases in the physics dept. these are filled by physics students.

what about the less “obvious”: positions for non-physics students in physics? positions for physics students outside of physics?

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NSERC positions to work at companies:

Norcada,Micralyne,JDS Uniphase,...

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IRAP-sponsored positions to work at companies:

the voice of experience:“go and talk to the company, help them submit an IRAP proposal. effectively create your own position; lots of companies don’t even know they can do this!” -- Chris Holt (Eng. Phys. alum; PhD student in CME)

people with 780 area code = local experts! MR Freeman University of Alberta

for international students:

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consider an industrial internship:

(application deadline: early November)MR Freeman

University of Alberta

investigate the Medical Physics program:

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After you get the job.self-motivation is key!

some of your tasks will be of a “complete at your own pace” nature. don’t wait for the next task to be assigned when you are done, volunteer yourself for “what’s next!?”

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After the job is over.you can still use it as a springboard to new/more experience.

here are several undergraduate research meetings:

Engineering / Physics joint undergrad symposium(UofA, September)

UofA Undergraduate Research Symposium (new; November)

Undergraduate Pacific Physics and Astronomy Conference (western Canada and northwestern US, March; at UofA in 2012, www.ualberta.ca/~uppac)

Canadian Undergraduate Physics Conference  (a flagship, now entering its 48th year, October; at UBC in 2012)

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And lastly, alternatives or complements to paid employment.

underpaid employment and volunteering --

common for a principal investigator’s (PI’s)“supervisory capacity” to exceed the corresponding level of funding

specialized study --

CIFAR summer schools (not on a fixed schedule, however)www.nanosummer.de (expensive, however) (Edmonton 2010)

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My summer supervisors:Doug Sheppard/John McDonaldSean McAlisterHerman WillemsenWilly Leonard

Ultrafast microscopy groupundergrads:Todd Kleckner James Stotz Dave Fortin Eric FinleyKen Harris Jason Middleton Tim Brown Michael CummingsDean Spicer Tom Clement Kevin Schostek David InglisKimberley Mervyn Rhyan Arthur Rahim JanmohamedGraham Nelson Lindsay LeBlanc Michael CookTimmy Le Jon Klippenstein Jason Sorge Daniel SalamonSteven Olson Cindy Blois Delphine Lagarde Carl SwansonAlastair Fraser Jen Moroz Kevin Olsen Justin KautzVIncent Sauer George Coomber Sonia MilbradtDenys Grombacher Jocelyn Westwood Gigi WangStephen Portillo Gavin Vankosky

Undergrad Research Panel: Natural Sciences 24 Nov 2011 CCIS 1-140

Support:NSERC iCORE NINTCRC CIFAR CFI UofA

MR Freeman University of Alberta