The REU Program                 

The Stony Brook Department of Physics and Astronomy has conducted NSF funded REU programs from 1991-2024 and we are thrilled to continue this tradition in 2025.

Our 10 week REU program for 2025 will run from May 27th to August 1st 2025.  There will be about 10 participants in the program this year and the program is expected to  be conducted in person.

REU students will work with faculty and researchers in one of the following ways:

Experimental Track:     These students would be involved either in direct hands on laboratory work in one of the labs in the department, potentially with some work also performed at Brookhaven National Laboratory, or, alternatively, analysis of data from some of the large scale experiments in which our department participates.

Computational Track:   These students would carry out computational simulations, primarily in topics related to Astrophysics and Condensed Matter Physics. Students with programming experience will be desired for this track.

Theoretical Track:   These students would carry out more traditional theory projects, in association with our leading theorists at Yang Institute for Theoretical Physics and the Simons Center for Geometry and Physics. A strong mathematical background would be required for students taking this track.

In addition to the research with their individual mentors, participants will engage in several activities throughout the summer to help the students learn basic research techniques, understand the types of research that takes place in physics and astronomy, and to learn about graduate school and careers in physics and astronomy.   This will include involvement in our campus wide Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (URECA) programs, which will provide training in basic lab safety and opportunities for students to interact with student researchers outside of Physics and Astronomy.

At the end of the program the  REU in physics and astronomy,  in collaboration with the other summer research programs for undergraduates here at Stony Brook, will be part of a  joint summer research symposium, run by the Center for Inclusive Education (CIE) and Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (URECA). Students will present a poster on their research. The posters from the 2022 scholars can be viewed here, and lists of posters from more recent symposia are available here and here. The REU scholars will also participate in the professional development activities coordinated for all undergraduate summer scholars at Stony Brook.