Martin A. Fisher School of Physics

Undergraduate Research

Hands on small circuit

The best way to learn physics is by doing it.

Hands-on learning has always been an essential and valued part of the undergraduate experience in the physics department. It begins with the laboratory courses of the first two years (PHYS 19A, PHYS 19B, PHYS 29A). These lead to the advanced physics laboratory, PHYS 39A, in which students carry out in-depth experiments on modern topics such as laser tweezers, holography, X-ray diffraction and chaotic dynamics.

Getting Started with Research

Undergraduates at Brandeis in physics can participate in research in a variety of areas of specialty in the physics department. Research positions are available as unpaid internships, for course credit toward your degree or paid (and can be part of a student’s work-study financial aid). Over the course of their undergraduate careers at Brandeis, students are encouraged to obtain experience in two or more research groups. These opportunities reinforce material from lecture courses and help students develop a wide range of practical skills. This experience also provides undergraduates a window into the life of a graduate student who participates in cutting-edge scientific research.

Research for Course Credit:

Students can receive academic credit for one semester of a research job. This appears on the student's transcript as PHYS 91g: “Introduction to Research Practice”, PHYS 92a: “Off-Campus Research Internship” or PHYS 93: “Research Internship.”

Summer Opportunities

Summer can be a great time to pursue paid internship experiences for research. If you are interested in working with faculty at Brandeis, you can apply for funding through one of our many programs. 

It is also possible to participate in other programs across the country. Every year, the National Science Foundation funds “Research Experiences for Undergraduates” in a wide variety of subjects and departments. The student receives a stipend and travel expenses.

Other Fellowships and Internships

There are some special scholarships and research grants available to Brandeis undergraduates. 

Senior Thesis Research

Laboratory courses are only part of the hands-on experiences that are available to our students. Many of our students carry out independent research during their senior year, which leads to writing an honors thesis and receiving an honors degree. This is usually in the context of the overall research effort of one of the research groups in the physics department and may be a continuation of work that the student has carried out in that group during the previous summer or year.

Senior physics majors who have carried out independent research for an honors degree must present their results at the annual Physics Department Graduate and Undergraduate Student Research Symposium, named for the late professor Stephan Berko.