Undergraduates can join faculty research groups through PHY 381, URECA summer programs, or paid positions when funding is available.
Students interested in summer projects should contact potential faculty mentors by early January, before the usual February URECA deadlines.
How to choose a research group:
- Decide whether you prefer theoretical, computational or experimental physics
- Pick a subject area that interests you (biophysics, condensed matter physics, astrophysics)
- Talk to several faculty to help decide what fits you best
- It is possible to work with several groups during your tenure at WFU; stick with one group for at least one year
RESEARCH AREAS
What interests you?
Experimental Physics
Experimental projects let students probe materials with ultrafast lasers, build and test electronic devices, study blood and clot mechanics, and image cells and molecules. Students learn by working with instruments and materials in faculty laboratories.
Faculty involved in Experimental Physics
Theoretical and Computational Physics
Theoretical and computational students use the Wake Forest DEAC cluster and other computing resources to study quantum materials, gravitational waves and black holes, biomolecular dynamics, drug discovery, and energy materials.
Faculty involved in Theoretical and Computational Physics
Summer Research Opportunities
Wake Forest Research Fellowships
The Wake Forest Research Fellowship Program is sponsored by the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and is designed to encourage individual Wake Forest undergraduates to join their professors as junior partners on scholarly research projects. While improving opportunities for mentoring and helping students to progress into advanced work, these are also a means of supporting successful and dedicated students with financial scholarships. The application deadline is usually in early February for the following summer.
REU opportunities
The National Science Foundation supports undergraduate participation in research through the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. For information on how to apply for an NSF REU see https://astrobites.org/2013/01/05/so-you-want-to-apply-for-an-reu-heres-how/. Deadlines depend on the site.
Amgen Scholars
An undergraduate summer research program in science and biotechnology. Please visit the site for more information.
The application deadline is early to mid February, depending on the site.
Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships
SULI (Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships) is a DOE program where undergraduate science and engineering majors can undertake research in a paid internship at a DOE National Lab. Depending on the national laboratory, these internships may be during the summer or academic year.
National Institute of Standards and Technology
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) offers a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF). SURF students work for 11 weeks, contributing to an ongoing research project under the guidance of a NIST scientist or engineer from one of the Institute’s nine major laboratories (Physics, Manufacturing Engineering, Building and Fire Research, Chemical Sciences, Electronics and Electrical Engineering, Information Technology, Materials Science, Neutron Research, and Nanoscale Science.
SPS Internships for Undergraduates
SPS internships are broad-based learning opportunities for undergraduate physics majors. Students are placed in organizations and agencies that utilize the energy and diversity of aspiring students and contribute to their professional development through meaningful assignments, both relevant to the institution’s programs and in the advancement of physics or allied sciences. Participating organizations also assign one or more mentors from its senior staff to guide the interns’ work and overall experience.
Summer Internship in Germany (DAAD)
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) – in cooperation with science organizations in North America and Germany – is pleased to invite undergraduate students from the US, Canada and the UK in the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences and engineering to apply for a summer research internship in Germany. RISE summer placements take place with research groups at universities and top research institutions across Germany. The RISE interns are matched with a doctoral student whom they assist and who will also serve as their mentor.
RWTH Aachen University, Germany
Another overseas research program that encourages American student applicants is the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) at Aachen University. Most of your time in the Aachen program will be spent on science research, but for the first two weeks participants work on an intensive German language course. The program also provides organized outings for its participants. A link to the RWTH Aachen University program can be found here: https://www.rwth-aachen.de/cms/root/Forschung/Forschen-an-der-RWTH/Angebote-fuer-Studierende/UROP/~wmy/UROP-INternational/lidx/1/