reu@astro.wisc.edu

2008 Application Information Possible Projects Astronomy Department Physics Department UW Slide Show Other UW Summer Programs Other NSF Astronomy REUs This Summer's Program: 2008 Programs in Previous Years: 2002 , 2003 , 2004, 2005 , 2006, 2007

2008 summer REU program at University of Wisconsin-Madison

The Astronomy Department and the Astrophysics group of the Physics Department will host a Research Experiences for Undergraduates program in Astronomy and Astrophysics for eight students, for the ten weeks from May 28 to August 1, 2008 . Applications are due on Feb 1. By agreement among NSF supported REU Astronomy programs, notification of acceptance will be no earlier than Feb 29.

• astrophysical detectors;
  
• data analysis in cosmology;
  
• X-ray astrophysics;
  
• neutrino astrophysics;
  
• neutron stars, white dwarfs, and black holes;
  
• observational stellar astronomy ;
  
• star formation studies ;
  
• observational interstellar astronomy;
  
• extragalactic astronomy;
  
• theoretical work in galactic dynamics;
  
• theoretical neutrino astrophysics;
  
• theoretical work in the chemistry and dynamics of interstellar matter.

Facilities include the 3.5m WIYN optical telescope, the 0.9m wide-field imaging telescope , and the 11m SALT telescope; some projects may involve observing with these facilities. Participants will not be able to visit our large South Polar neutrino detector (Amanda/IceCube) , but can work with its observations. Students can also work with data from Antarctic balloon-based cosmic microwave background experiments, rocket-borne X-ray detectors , SIRTF infrared observations of the Galactic plane , and the Wisconsin H-alpha Mapper . The program includes a directed research project, an engaging weekly lecture series, organized weekend field trips, and other less structured social events-- perhaps Summerfest in Milwaukee and a live show of Michael Feldman's "Whad'Ya Know?". Students will also be encouraged to participate in the successful (and fun!) NSF/Wisconsin outreach program Universe in the Park .

The stipend of $350 per week is in addition to $500 for travel to/from Madison, and $50/week for food. Students will be housed with those participating in other summer research programs at the Regent . They will be invited to participate in several interdisciplinary programs including discussions on scientific ethics, and a university-wide welcome and orientation. They will have access to library and campus recreational facilities , such as sailing on Lake Mendota.

Currently participants must be citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. (If you are attending school in the U.S. but are not a US citizen or permanent resident, please contact us before applying.) We highly value diversity amoung our participants; women, members of under-represented minorities, and students from small colleges are all encouraged to apply.

Students interested in this program should contact Edwin Mierkiewicz (reu@astro.wisc.edu; phone: (608)-262-1152). Applications forms and instructions are available.

A joint program hosted by the
Department of Astronomy
University of Wisconsin-Madison
and

* Partial support for this work was provided by the U.S. Department of Defense's Awards to Stimulate and Support Undergraduate Research Education (ASSURE) program in collaboration with the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program under NSF Award No. 0453442. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Defense or the National Science Foundation.