The Department of Physics and Geosciences promotes undergraduate research among its students. The research is not required, but students who develop projects often have a competitive edge when applying for jobs or graduate school.
Research projects typically last one or two semesters and involve one-on-one work with Ph.D.-educated faculty. Areas of research include everything from structural geology and hydrology to atomic physics and observational astronomy.
Many of the research projects use advanced technology, and students can use the LabVIEW software program, an industry standard for laboratory automation. Research work also includes presenting the project or creating a poster with the data and results upon completion.