SRC Research Experiences

for Undergraduates Program

Summer 2010 Projects
Program Poster (PDF)
Deadline to apply to the program is February 15, 2010

Overview

Participating in this program will provide you with an exciting educational opportunity to experience cutting-edge, hands-on science research at a national laboratory as well as help prepare you for graduate school. For 10 weeks over the summer, from June 1 through August 7, 2010, you will work directly with researchers on a project chosen from a variety of scientific fields (see below for more details).  Mentors, graduate students, SRC staff, and other scientists will be available as a resource to help guide you in your science research project. Completion of the project includes preparing a poster and giving a presentation. The program also includes seminars, social events, field trips, and other learning experiences such as a GRE preparation course. The SRC-REU program is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Types of Projects Available

If you are interested in learning about areas related to condensed matter physics, atomic and molecular physics, nanotechnology, biosciences, or accelerator physics, you should consider applying to this program. Each project provides the opportunity for you to experience current scientific research at a modern light source facility.

After submitting your online application, you will be asked to rank the 2010 projects that interest you.

To see what other participants have done in the past please read their project descriptions. You can also read comments about the program made by previous participants.

Support

The program provides travel to and from Madison, housing, health insurance (if needed), transportation to SRC, a partial food allowance, and a stipend of $5000. You will have access to all campus libraries and facilities. There are no fees or tuition costs.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

To be eligible for the SRC-REU program, you must be U.S. citizens or permanent resident enrolled in a degree program which leads to a bachelor's degree.

Women and individuals from traditionally under-represented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. Under-represented groups include African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians or Other Pacific Islanders.

We give preference to students who are rising Juniors and Seniors, who come from institutions with limited research programs, have a strong interest in continuing on to graduate school in a scientific field, and who have a grade point average of at least 3.0.

Additional Details

SRC is a national facility light source funded by the National Science Foundation that uses an electron storage ring to provide synchrotron light as a tool for doing scientific research. It is located 12 miles southeast of the UW-Madison campus at the Kegonsa Research Campus (near Lake Kegonsa). Researchers from all over the world in a wide range of disciplines (e.g. Physics, Biophysics, Chemistry, Geology, Nanotechnology, Engineering) use the infrared, visible, ultraviolet, and x-rays for the advancement of scientific knowledge. SRC is operated by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Graduate School. To see pictures of SRC, view our slide show.

In addition to an individual research experience, you will receive laboratory and safety training, and participate in forums and workshops on university research opportunities and career planning. There are also planned social activities with other research scholars that are part of the UW summer programs (Summer Research Opportunities Program or SROP).

During your stay at UW-Madison you are encouraged to make use of campus resources to explore the city of Madison. Madison is the capital of Wisconsin with a population of 200,000 and offers a wide variety of social, cultural, educational, and recreational opportunities.

Maps and Directions

[Madison to SRC] [Map of Madison] [About Madison]
[Visit UW Madison Web site] [UW Slide Show] [UW Campus Map]

Application Procedure

To apply to the SRC-REU program, visit the UW-Madison Summer Research Opportunities (SROP) online application. There you will be able to:

1. Enter information necessary to be considered for the program including selecting the SRC-REU program as your number one choice.
2. Submit a written statement describing scientific interests and goals (1500 word max). This statement should include information on previous laboratory research experience (not a requirement for acceptance), post-graduation plans, any experiences that may have prepared you for this program, and your reasons for applying to the program.
3. Enter your choices for two people from academic sources that have agreed to write you letters of recommendation. We will contact them with instructions on how to submit their letters online.
4. Upload an electronic copy (PDF preferred) of your transcript. Unofficial copies are fine.

You can return to the online application as many times as you need to complete the process before the deadline of February 15th, 2010. Your application will be submitted only after pressing the "submit" button.

Ranking of SRC-REU Projects

After submitting your application, you will be asked to enter a ranking of SRC-REU projects, in order of preference (part 2). If the summer of 2010 projects are not available at the time of your submission, we will contact you at a later time to ask for your preferences.

Selection & Placement

You will be considered for the program as soon as a completed application has been submitted (including letters of recommendation). Applicants who are not placed will be notified as soon as possible, typically in mid to late March.

For more information or questions don't hesitate to contact us.

Chris Moore
SRC-REU Program Coordinator
reu2010@src.wisc.edu
(608) 877-2137

Esther Olson
SRC-REU Program Director
(608) 877-2295

SRC Administration
(608) 877-2000

Synchrotron Radiation Center
University of Wisconsin-Madison
3731 Schneider Drive
Stoughton, WI 53589