Immersion
Immersion is an opportunity for undergraduate students to pursue their passions and interests through experiential learning. The majority of physics and astronomy students do research to fulfill the Immersion requirement. Students may get started in research by contacting a professor on their own or by asking for guidance from the director of undergraduate studies or any other faculty member.
Normally, students wait to start research until they have completed at least one year of physics and mathematics coursework. Computer science (programming) skills are also often invaluable in getting started in research.
The Immersion experience can also be greatly enhanced by a semester of international study. We strongly encourage students who desire an international experience to study abroad, and about one-fourth of them do so. While not required, we encourage physics and astronomy majors to study abroad in English-speaking countries (England, Scotland, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa), where they can take physics and astrophysics courses. Various study abroad programs are offered during the fall or spring semester.
There are two ways to satisfy the Immersion requirement in the Department of Physics and Astronomy: through the Honors Program or through a research project.
Honors Program
The Honors Program requires a high level of accomplishment in a rigorous program of coursework and culminates in research which is presented as an honors thesis. In order to complete the thesis defense before the spring semester of the senior year, application to the Honors Program during the junior year is strongly encouraged. This will allow you, for example, to complete honors work before applying to graduate schools.
Research Project
Students electing to fulfill through a research project must:
- Complete 5 credit hours of undergraduate research (PHYS 3850 and/or ASTR 3850)
- Complete a physics or astronomy course that provides suitable training for the chosen research direction (3 credit hours). The course should be pre-approved by the director of undergraduate studies.
- Complete PHYS 3600: Seminar in Presenting Physics Research
- Write a 10-15 page journal-style research paper
The Vanderbilt Chapter of the Society of Physics Students (SPS) is a student-run organization that aims to promote interest in physics and build community among physics students. We meet on a weekly basis, holding events such as faculty talks, social events, and study nights, among many others. SPS is open to anyone with an interest in physics, regardless if they are majoring or minoring.