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Department of Physics: Student and Faculty Research
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Introduction

Undergraduate research is an essential component of a CWU education in the natural sciences. All physics majors (including B.S., B.A., and Dual Degree) must complete at least two credits of PHYS 495 (Undergraduate Research). The experience of conducting research provides students with a significant boost in the skills needed to succeed in graduate school and in the workplace.

Physics students at CWU work closely with their faculty advisors in all phases of the research process: planning and proposing the project; setting up and calibrating equipment; recording and analyzing data; and disseminating the results. All students are strongly encouraged to present the results of their research at the annual CWU Symposium On University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). Students who have done exceptional work may also publish in a peer-reviewed journal.

Funding for Student Research

Central Washington University offers several modes of financial support for undergraduates who conduct research.

Program name Type of support Eligibility
Office of Undergraduate Research equipment and travel all CWU students
College of the Sciences (COTS) equipment all students with a major in COTS
Science Honors Program summer stipend and equipment most science majors; must apply junior year
McNair Program summer stipend/travel minority or first-generation students who plan to obtain Ph.D.
STEP Bridging Program stipend and equipment new transfer student majoring in science, math, or engineering

Many physics majors have participated in the Science Honors Program, which admits students on a competitive basis and pays for research during the summer. Science Honors students prepare an honors thesis that is bound and kept in the CWU library.

Undergraduate Research Projects

Current and recently completed

Project Title Student Researcher Faculty Mentor Comments
A Computational Study of Tsunami Runup as a Function of Coastline Morphology Kevin Ewell Andy Piacsek Science Honors thesis
Frequencies and Wavelengths from a New Far-Infrared Lasing Gas: 13CHD2OH Travis Petersen Mike Jackson Science Honors thesis
Using The Force Concept Inventory to Improve Student Understanding of Frictional Forces William Sizemore Bruce Palmquist and Michael Jackson Received Outstanding Poster award at SOURCE 2009
A Spectroscopic Study of the ND Radical by Far-Infrared LASER Magnetic Resonance Jen Groves Mike Jackson Presented at SOURCE 2009
Operating Characteristics and Research Applications of the CO2 LASER Jeff Leiseth Mike Jackson Presented at SOURCE 2009
Scattering of Plane Light Waves Adam Houk Michael Braunstein Presented at SOURCE 2009
Binary Stars and Their Light Curves: Using Models to Determine the Sensitivity of CWU Equipment Marilyn Magenis Michael Braunstein STEP project; presented at SOURCE 2009
Electronic Realization of the Logistic Map Sami Abdul-Wahid Michael Braunstein Presented at SOURCE 2008
Electronic Realization of Chaotic Systems Travis Petersen, Eric Kangas, Chris Parker, Evan Masters, Sami Abdul-Wahid, Jeff Leiseth Michael Braunstein Received Sigma Pi Sigma Undergraduate Research Award funding; presented at APS NW section 2008
Contact Information
201 Lind Hall
Department of Physics
400 E. University Way
Ellensburg, WA 98926-7422

Phone: (509) 963-2914
Fax: (509) 963-2728
Email: jacksonm@cwu.edu
2008 Central Washington University
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