Overview

Welcome! This page is a guide intended to help undergraduate physics and engineering physics majors navigate the resources, requirements, and opportunities of an Undergraduate Research Experience (URE).

Physics Undergraduate Research Program events:

  • Fall Information Session: Held in the evening during the second week of classes, this event features short presentations by several of the programs on this website as well as a Q&A session with a panel of experienced undergraduates who have had successful UREs
  • Spring Poster Session: Students present results from their UREs in a conference-style environment

    Getting Started

    The Department of Physics values student participation in research. In fact, a URE can be a component of several of the “plans” offered by the department (consult with your academic advisor/ faculy mentor and review the program requirements for either the Bachelor of Arts in Physics or the Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics).

    Why should you participate in a URE?

    • Apply what you’ve learned in class to cutting-edge research in physics and related fields
    • Learn what it might be like to have a career in research
    • Gain technical and non-technical skills that make you marketable to graduate schools and employers
    • Get to know a faculty member in a way that would never be possible in a large class
    • Discover whether going to graduate school might be a good career option

    To get the most out of your URE, you should be strategic in how to go about it. Study the advice and opportunities on this page and discuss your plans with your academic advisor.

    Finally, for those doing research in experimental labs, remember that awareness of safety is important. Your mentor will be able to tell you about the required safety training for your lab or institute, but remember that ultimately YOU are responsible for the safety of yourself and those around you.

    Department Research Opportunities

    Most research opportunities are found by talking to your professors and asking around in local research groups and laboratories.  Researchers may choose to promote available research opportunities in an email to undergraduate physics students.

    Asking to join a research group

    It is important to put some thought into making your first contact with a researcher about a possible URE. Whatever you do, don’t simply send an email that asks “When can I start doing research with you?” Realize that mentoring a URE is a substantial commitment, and although researchers are often eager to take on a student, they want to be sure you have sufficient background and will take the job seriously. Some things to consider when preparing to contact a potential URE mentor:

    • Make first contact well in advance of when you would like to begin
    • Describe what kind of research you would like to do
    • State the number of hours/week you would like to work
    • State whether you are interested in school-year and/or summer work
    • State whether you intend to apply for funding or earn independent study and/or honors credit
    • Briefly describe your relevant coursework (include a sample of your work if appropriate)
    • Provide your Curriculum Vitae and be sure it includes your year (freshman, sophomore, etc.), GPA, and a reference who can comment on your potential for doing research

     
    Course credit and funding opportunities

    You should arrange to be compensated for your time spent in a URE.

    One option is to earn CU credit by signing up for either:

    These options have a benefit of fulfilling requirements in several physics degree plans.  Note to enroll in honors or independent study you must have previously located a research project and mentor.

    Another option is to actually get paid for the hours in which you are not receiving course credit. The availability of paid opportunities varies based upon the discipline and your level of experience. Some paid opportunities are available directly through research advisors; other sources of funding are the University of Colorado programs and the REU (see below). The Discovery Learning Apprenticeship Program is available to Engineering Physics majors.

    UROP

    The University of Colorado UROP (Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program) provides funding for UREs campus-wide. For physics majors, two good options are:

    • “Assistantship grants” ($1000-$2000)
    • “Individual grants” (up to $1500 in the academic year, up to $3000 in the summer)

    UROP applications for both the Summer or Fall/Spring Academic year are due in mid February (check the UROP page for the exact deadlines). Note that you will need to have identified a research mentor before applying for funding.

    REU

    The National Science Foundation sponsors the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program in which undergraduates (typically, but not always, between their Junior and Senior years) are paid a stipend to work on a research project at universities and laboratories all over the United States. Typically, but not always, students travel to an institution other than their own. REU’s pay well and are great opportunities to expand one’s horizons. Applications are highly competitive. 

    Other Programs

    Department resources

    Students are encouraged to take the Advanced Laboratory Course.   This course can be a useful preparatory class for undergraduate research.  It can also satisfy the research component of your physics electives.

    The department’s research page is a great place to start looking for positions, but be sure to also look for opportunities in these department-affiliated programs:

    In addition to this URE website, several programs provide information and support for UREs:

    • CU-Prime: A student-driven mentoring program led by physics grad students 
    • Beyond Boulder: A resource helping undergraduates plan for their futures
    • CU Stars: A program to recruit first-year students from diverse backgrounds to scientific careers 
    • Society of Physics Students (SPS)

    Outside the department

    A URE does not need to be supervised by a physics faculty member or even carried out at the university! You are welcome to explore qualifying internships at local companies or programs for students at research laboratories in the area or further abroad.  A few links to local scientific institutes are below.