Minot Lab Wiki

For students who work as an undergraduate researcher, these are some of qualities your boss (the Professor who leads the research) will be looking for.

Independence

1. Promptly inform others when you need guidance with an assigned tasks
2. Take responsibility for your actions and the quality of work without blaming others or making excuses
3. Carefully follow all safety instructions, rules, and regulations
4. Report unsafe work practices and safety hazards to a supervisor
5. Show attention to detail when appropriate (for example, if an error would be costly/risky)
6. Approach work activities with confidence and a positive attitude
7. Independently manage own time and show good judgment in prioritizing work to meet deadlines
8. Focus resources and energy on activities that will achieve the greatest results
9. Make high-quality decisions based upon facts and priorities
10. Act in accordance with the highest possible standards of ethics and integrity and comply with all applicable legal, safety, and regulatory standards and procedures
11. Prepare, execute, and complete work in a disciplined and organized manner
12. Remain flexible and adapt to change and variety on the job (e.g., effectively handle unexpected situations and changing conditions)
13. Keep calm and follow established protocols in the case of an emergency or other unusual event

Inter-dependence

1. Communicate information, ideas, and data clearly and concisely so that others can understand
2. Demonstrate dependability (e.g., report on time for work and appointments)
3. Treat other people, including those of different backgrounds, beliefs, and gender, with fairness and respect
4. Demonstrate trustworthiness, honesty, and high personal standards in dealings with others
5. Accept feedback without becoming angry or defensive. Use feedback to strengthen future performance
6. Listen carefully to others, taking time to understand and ask appropriate questions without interrupting
7. Build strong, positive working relationships with others (manager, coworkers) and maintain them over time
8. Exhibit maturity and self-control, even in situations involving conflict or stress (e.g., does not threaten or verbally abuse others)

The Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) scholarships from the College of Science are a great way to get started on research during the summer of your sophomore or junior year.

The OSU Research Office also runs a program for funding undergrad research called Undergraduate Research, Innovation, Scholarship & Creativity (URISC).

Sometimes professors will have funds in their research grants to pay undergrad researchers during the summer.

Another option is to volunteer your time.

During the first term of senior year you need to develop a thesis proposal for PH403: a statement about what experiments you will undertake.

Look at well-received senior thesis projects from previous years. Scroll down to the bottom of the PH403 class description.

PH403 Thesis Class will guide you through the process. One thing you will learn is that scientific writing is a back-and-forth process. Colleagues read drafts and give comments, then the author synthesizes the comments and improves the manuscript. You must get your manuscript to the “final draft” stage well before any external deadline. Expect at least one week of back-and-forth editing. The back-and-forth editing process is an essential part of writing a senior thesis.

Ethan has a pdf document called “Guide to Graduate School Applications” that is very helpful. Ask Ethan for a copy.

Graduate students in Physics are supported as either Research Assistants (RAs) or Teaching Assistants (TA). Throughout a PhD you will have financial support from these sources, covering all living expenses plus some extra. RA positions are not usually confirmed until graduate students spend some time in a research group. At OSU Dept. of Physics it is typical to spend one year as a TA while you explore research options, then secure an RA position in the second year. RA support can depend on the availability of research funding. If research funding is limited, RA positions become more competitive.

The following website will give you a ranked list of physics grad programs based on what you consider most important (for example, faculty citations, faculty funding etc). OSU typically ranks in the 70s. There are a lot of schools to consider: http://graduate-school.phds.org/. If you want to narrow down the search by location (region, state or size of town) and/or your GRE scores (e.g. quantitative 600+) then try: www.princetonreview.com/grad.

Spend time researching the programs. Every application you make will cost significant effort and money (the average application fee is $50).

You should meet with your research advisor as you complete each of these steps:

• Oct Make a short list of your favorite programs. For examples, 4 schools that you are confident will accept you and 4 top schools who you might accept you. Determine the application process and application requirement for each of these schools.
• Nov Complete your applications and contact professors in the programs you will apply. You must also choose 3 or 4 people to write letters of recommendation.
• Dec Mail your applications (this is a lot of paper work!)
• Mar The schools which have accepted you will invite you to visit. Often they will pay your travel expenses.

As part of the application process you have to write a “statement of purpose” which outlines your personal research interests and your personal experience with physics. You cannot produce a sincere reserch statement without studying the websites of faculty in the department where you are applying. Your statement must mention which professors you would like to work with and why.

A good statement of purpose convinces the committee that you have a passion for physics - that you will raise the morale and the enthusiasm of the department. An admissions committee wants to see passion derived from experience, not a passing fancy that could quickly fade. Evidence of passion derived from experience is best shown by discussing your previous engagements with physics.

You can improve your statement significantly by asking an OSU professor to proof read for you.

You should identify research groups with projects that interest you. In your statement of purpose it is critical to discuss specific projects that interest you. It shows that you've thought about what it involved in doing research.

To make sure that you do come up with a realistic plan, and to put your name on the radar, contact the professor directly to see if he/she is still funding projects in your area of interest:

“Dear Prof, I'm am planning to apply to… I am particularly interested in your research, especially… I have experience doing… I attach my resume… ”

If you're having trouble contacting someone, or just want to learn more about a school, you should ask the professors in the OSU physics department. For example, Ethan has contacts at

• Cornell
• MIT
• Stanford
• Harvard
• Columbia University, New York City
• Cal Tech
• Penn State
• University of Maryland
• Brown
• Colorado State
• UC Merced
• UC Davis
• University of Arizona
• Cal State Northridge
• University Washington
• University of Oregon

Here is a typical response to an inquiry by prospective grad student:

“Your CV looks strong. I think you have a good chance of admission to the Physics Graduate Program at Oregon State University. I encourage you to apply.

Dear X, Thank you for your interest in the Physics Graduate Program at Oregon State University. We are excited receive applications from enthusiastic young physicists (more information about the application process: http://www.physics.orst.edu/proGrads). Our department aims to recruit new graduate students who are interested in multiple research groups (we do not admit students directly to a particular group). New graduate students complete classes during the first year and often work as teaching assistants (full financial support). During this first year, new graduate student learn more about specific research groups, and find the research group that best matches their interests and abilities.

Best wishes for search for graduate schools, I hope we will receive an application from you.

Any personal contacts you make at conferences or visiting industry labs are very valuable. When applying for an industry position or a postdoc, it makes a huge difference if somebody already knows who are, or is familiar with a paper you have published. Group contacts with industry.

http://www.ous.edu/dept/hr/classification-specs/

A good resume is short, sweet, and to the point. Sell yourself and do it quickly (assume your reader has already read 100 resumes, with 100 to go and is tired, cranky, and wants to go home). Here is an example (Landon's resume)