Directed Reading Program (DRP)

What Is DRP?

The DRP (Directed Reading Program) allows you, as a mentee (undergraduate), to explore and learn about a physics topic that interests you via guided readings and problem solving with a graduate student mentor over the course of the semester. This can help you gain knowledge in areas that might be niche/not covered in typical curriculum, in a more relaxed environment.

Important Dates

Mentee application opens: 9/7
Applications close: 9/18
Mentor-Mentee pairs announced BY 9/23
Final DRP presentation: Dec 10th (Tentative)

DRP-Related Events

DRP Tea Time
- A dedicated time for you to gather with your mentee and other DRP pairs for shared experience/additional learning
- Convenient time to gather progress checks on DRP pairs
Final Presentation
- DRP final presentations will be a short lecture given by the mentees for them to share what they learned about throughout the semester.
- As a mentee you are REQUIRED to present and show up for your peers presentations.
- All are welcome to come, family, friends, even faculty!
- Date/more details will be released as DRP pairs are released.

DRP participants throughout the semesters

Past Projects

Desi 2024 Constraints - Carly Mistick

Presentation Slides

My presentation first focuses on introductory cosmology as introduced in Chapters 1-3 of 'Course in Cosmology' (Huterer). Then I use this knowledge to duplicate results of the recent DESI 2024 paper for the flat ΛCDM parameter constraints. I implement equations for the flat ΛCDM cosmological model and check their accuracy against the empirical values, and compare my final constrained results with those of the paper.

How to determine mass using gravitational waves - Haden Fish

Presentation Slides

In the paper about the first direct detection of gravitational waves, the masses of the initial black holes were determined using statistical methods. However, is it possible to determine the masses without using a best fit of various model waveforms? An equation for the masses can be derived using Newtonian Gravity with a Post-Newtonian correction.

X-ray and neutron scattering - zoey brookbanks

Presentation Slides

X-ray and scattering experiments are used frequently within physics research, however both methods have complex nuances with important implications for data acquisition and analysis. To better understand the specific uses for x-ray versus neutron scattering, we will review the characteristics of x-rays verse neutrons, and discuss how that impacts their diffraction. We will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of both measurements and how to most effectively use the techniques to analyze materials. We will discuss specific techniques for both x-rays and neutrons, and facilities which allow for x-ray/neutron experiments. Finally, we will review a data analysis of H20 with both x-ray and neutron scattering, as well as D20 with neutron scattering.

FAQ's

When do I meet with my mentor?
After pairing you and your mentor work together to coordinate a time that works for yall.
Does DRP run every semester?
Yes! DRP is a 1 semester program that repeats Fall and Winter
What are the stakes/rewards of this program?
DRP is an incredibly low stakes environment, there is no grade or expectations beyond you putting in effort to learn a topic you're interested in.
Is the DRP a research project?
DRP is NOT a research project, nor is it directly involving you in any research with graduate students or faculty here. That being said, through the DRP you can gain knowledge that could be directly relevant to future research options as well as insights into what your graduate student mentor is doing for research.
How serious are the applications?
It is typical for us to recieve many more mentee applications than mentors. This makes it semi-important for you to use the free response sections to show why you are a good applicant for the program. The purpose of the DRP is not to take in the most qualified researchers, that is not what we are looking for. However, including the following in your application could benefit your chances of getting a mentor-mentee pair

Further specifying what part of your chosen topic interests you.
Showing that you are able to commit enough to the program.
Explaining how this progresses you to your goals

Mentee application! or if your a graduate student: Mentor signup!

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