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Wisconsin REU in
Astrophysics |
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Wisconsin REU in
Astrophysics |
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This is the main information page for the 2008 summer REU program in Astrophysics, hosted jointly by the Astronomy and Physics departments. This summer the 10 week program will run from Wednesday, May 28, to Friday, Aug 1 (although allowances can be made for students who have to arrive late.) During this summer, you will be freed from those time consuming classes in order to spend a solid block of time pursuing a directed research project, using world-class facilities, with a knowledgeable advisor. At the end of the summer, you will present the results of your research and put together a set of webpages to detailing what you did. If your project is particularly successful, you will be invited to present it at an American Astronomical Society ( AAS ) meeting, and your travel expenses to the meeting will be paid!
Your mailing address during the program will be
your name
c/o The Regent
1402 Regent Street
Madison, WI 53711
Costs covered by the REU program: The first stipend check ($1200) will be paid upon arrival (May 30); a $500 meal stipend will also be included. Subsequent stipend checks will be paid out on Jul 1($1200) and Aug 1($1200) assuming satisfactory progress is being made on the research projects. The director will let you know if this is potentially a problem.
The cost of housing and travel up to $500 (or the cost of the cheapest available plane ticket, for students who drive) are also covered by the program. Health insurance coverage is provided by SHIP (Student Health Insurance Program) if needed. Also, a "segregated fee" card is provided to permit access to University Health Service, libraries, computer labs, and sports/recreational facitilies.
University events: There are several university-wide events open to students participating in nearly a dozen summer research programs. These include welcome receptions, a program picnic, a grad school fair, and a scientific ethics movie series on Thursday nights.
Keys: All students will be given a set of keys which provide access to the building, your office, common areas in the astronomy department (seminar rooms, etc.), and the computer rooms in astronomy. Depending on your research advisor, you may also be issued additional keys. The REU program will pay your deposit. However, if you lose your keys or do not return them, this deposit will be deducted from your stipend. The deposit is $5 per key, and $15 for the computer room key.
Computer accounts: You all have been assigned an account on the astronomy department computers, and will be given your password when you arrive. Although you may be using other computers to do your research, this should be your primary e-mail address, and where you keep your research web pages. A skeleton web page will be provided midway through the program.
After hours: You will be given keys to the building, computer rooms, and common usage rooms (seminar rooms, Woodman Astronomy Library). If you want to be in the department after hours, you will need to have an after-hours pass which will be provided for you when you first arrive.
Photocopying and office supplies: We have an REU account for photocopies set up on one machine in astronomy (Sterling 5529) and one machine in Physics (Chamberlin 6216). You will be given the photocopy code when you arrive. Do not use any other copy code unless you have permission. Duplication is for research purposes only! If you want to make personal copies, you will need to pay for it. Also, be sparing in your use of this privilege, i.e. do not copy entire books without asking permission first. If the charges become too high, the accounts will be deactivated. Access to office supplies should be discussed with your advisor.
Parking: Parking is VERY limited on campus, and I would strongly discourage you from bringing a car to campus. If you must bring a car (sigh...), you should know that you won't be able to drive to and from the department each day. Moreover, you will not be allowed to rent a campus parking space unless you live more than a mile from a city bus stop. This means that you will either need to rent your own off-campus lot or park on city streets. Believe me, it's more hassle than it's worth.
Food: The Regent apartments include a kitchenette (with a stove, refrigerator, microwave and sink) for preparing meals. In addition to your monthly stipend, a $500 dollar food allowance will be provided to partially offset meal costs. The Regent is located near a number of restaurants and grocery stores (e.g., Trader Joe's ).
Telephone service: You will have a phone provided in your dorm room, and your dorm phone is listed in the REU student directory. To make long distance calls from your dorm room, you need to have a long distance calling card. Make arrangements to get a calling card from your long distance carrier before coming to Madison. There is no charge for campus or local calls from your room. Pay phones are also available in the dorms.
Health care: All REU participants have access to the University Health Service , which offers a wide range of outpatient services at low or no cost.
Health Insurance and Contact Information: All REUparticipants must give the director a copy of their health insurance information, and an emergency contact number.
If you are not covered under your parent's or guardian's insurance, we will enroll you in a university program for the summer (which will give you coverage from June 1 to mid August). The program will pay for this enrollment.
Weather: Wisconsin's weather can be unpredictable. Theaverage summer temperature ranges from 75-90 F days and 55-60 F nights. Summer weather can be very hot and humid, or cool enough to require a jacket or sweater. To cover all possibilities, bring avariety of clothing. Also, don't forget an umbrella! Dress in the department during the summer is completely casual. Physicists are not generally known for their sartorial skills.
Transportation The easiest way to get around campus and Madison in the summer is by bicycle. Information on how to rent a bicycle (for cheap!) will be available when you arrive. There is also a good bus system serving the city of Madison. Your segregated fees card WILL cover the cost of riding the bus!
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