Undergraduate Research
Physics is a practical science, and some of the most exciting aspects of the field happen outside the classroom. Research helps students indulge their intellectual curiosity, solve problems and contribute to the development of scientific knowledge and instruments.
The Department of Physics encourages all undergraduate students to participate in research during their studies, whether through faculty projects, summer internships, special honors projects or research-intensive coursework.
Joining Research Groups
Many faculty-led research groups include undergraduate students in their labs, from experimental nuclear physics to protein design. Contact the responsible faculty member through their bio page to learn more about specific opportunities.
Summer Research Internships
Every summer, our undergraduate physics students embark on research experiences all over the United States and around the world. We help students apply early for National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) programs at other universities, and we place students at many of the prestigious laboratories where our faculty collaborate. Browse a sampling of the government and educational institutions we have worked with that offer summer research programs for undergraduate students, or use GW’s internship search resources to find more.
Internship Resources
- National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Sites Directory
- NASA Internships
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security STEM Summer Internship Program
- American Museum of Natural History
- The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
- GW Office of the Vice President for Research
- GW Internships and Career Services
Physics Undergraduate Symposium Day
Every year, the Physics Department organizes the Physics Undergraduate Symposium Day, typically just after the final classes of the Spring semester. In this event, the department celebrates the research accomplishments of the Physics, Biophysics and Astronomy & Astrophysics seniors. These students give 15-minute presentations, plus ample time for questions and discussion after each talk, on the large research projects they did in their junior and senior year. Presenting students are well prepared for this event as part of the Physics Symposium (PHYS 4200) course. Everyone in the department, including faculty, staff, postdocs, graduate students, and undergraduate students, as well as family and friends of the students, are welcome and encouraged to attend all these events, to support the presenters and celebrate their great accomplishments with them. This great showcase of student research and celebratory day is usually concluded with a fun senior send-off by the juniors who are active in the Society of Physics Students.
GW Physics at the CCAS Research Showcase
Every year, the Physics Department has many undergraduate and some graduate students presenting posters at the CCAS Research Showcase, which is usually held in mid April. During this great event that showcases research from students across the Columbian College of Arts & Sciences, the Physics Department is always well presented by seniors in Physics, Biophysics and Astronomy & Astrophysics, and some juniors in these majors, as well as graduate students representing the various research areas in the department. Presenting seniors are well prepared for this event as part of the Physics Symposium (PHYS 4200) course, and presenting juniors can put their writing and presentation skills they learned in Intermediate Lab I (PHYS 2151W) and Physis Capstone (PHYS 4195W) into practice. Many students and faculty visit the Research Showcase to learn about all the great research activities and support the presenters.
"In the GW program in Mainz, Germany, I learned a tremendous amount. I cherished being able to work with physicists from all over the world, being directly involved in the research and contributing to the team’s work."
Sri Murthy
BS '16, Biophysics