Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Physics - Focus on Minorities

The University of Pittsburgh Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Physics-Focus on Minorities is based at the University of Pittsburgh, but has a partnership with Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, with use of facilities at the University of Missouri at St. Louis. In summer 2000 we anticipate physics research opportunities with faculty in: astrophysics, elementary particle, nuclear, and condensed matter physics; molecular beam scattering and fast pulsed optics studies in physical chemistry; and materials science, and biomechanical and mechanical engineering. Program participants are typically about 2/3 ethnic minority and over half female, with about 10% of the participants 'traditional' physics students-white male. Students typically spend 55 or more hours per week on program activities, including weekly 'lecture lunches', informal academic work in support of their research or academic goals, and mentoring and tutoring of less advanced students.