Research and Honors Opportunities for Physics Students

The Physics and Engineering Department offers a wide array of research opportunities on campus at Wheaton.

students prof APSDPP Atlanta GA

Dr. Darren Craig and Dr. Jim Schroeder with Wheaton undergraduate students, Julia Nordstrom ('25), Emma VanderKooi ('25), Daniel Humphrey ('24), and Nathaniel Tarullo ('26) at the American Physical Society (APS) Division of Plasma Physics (DPP) in Atlanta, Georgia in October 2024. APS is the US national organization for physicists founded in 1899 and hosts a Global Summit for Physics,the largest physics research conference in the world. DPP 's, founded in 1959, primary aim "is the advancement and dissemination of the knowledge, understanding, and applications of plasmas." Plasma research includes the study of nuclear fusion, research in astrophysical plasmas and the practical applications of plasmas for different industries. Dr. Craig's primary research interest is fundamental plasma physics with applications in fusion and astrophysics. Dr. Schroeder’s primary interest is fundamental plasma physics with applications in space physics. Wheaton undergraduate students often travel with faculty to present posters on research topics in national scientific conferences.

Honors Thesis

Students with a GPA of 3.70 in the major and 3.50 overall may complete an honors thesis and receive an honors designation on their transcript upon graduation. An approved research project is a central component of the honors program. A written thesis summarizing the research project and its conclusions must be completed and defended orally to receive the honors designation. Contact the department chair for more details.

Summer Student Research Projects

Yoseph Jung
Mentor: Dr. Darren Craig
Objective: The main objective of my summer research was whether the 2D force-free equilibria capture the essential features of the experimental results of sheared magnetic arcades. We did this by building on previous work done by students, by utilizing their experimental data and the simulation setup

Caleb Hunter
Mentor: Dr. Josh Kincaid
Objective: Conducting a feasibility study for developing a low-speed wind tunnel for the Engineering department..

Hudson Martin
Mentor: Dr. Josh Kincaid
Objective: Metal 3D Printing (Additive Manufacturing).

Daniel Yi
Mentor: Dr. Josh Kincaid
Objective: The main objective of my summer research was whether the 2D force-free equilibria capture the essential features of the experimental results of sheared magnetic arcades. We did this by building on previous work done by students, by utilizing their experimental data and the simulation setup.

Chris English
Mentor: Dr. James  Schroeder
Objective: To build a circuit that would provide accurate current measurements from a Langmuir probe, a standard laboratory plasma diagnostics device. Once complete, the circuit would allow the Wheaton Space Plasma Physics Laboratory to measure crucial plasma characteristics such as electron temperature and density.

Josh Whelan
Mentor: Dr. James  Schroeder
Objective: Creating a simulation for particles in a whistler wave pThe main objective of my project was to develop and simulate multiple methods of characterizing Gaussian quantum optical devices (figuring out what they do) and determine which methods have the best accuracylasma environment to determine plasma parameters for detecting accelerated electrons at West Virginia University's PHASMA lab.

Ellie  Dryden
Mentor: Dr. Kevin  Valson  Jacob
Objective: The main objective of my project was to develop and simulate multiple methods of characterizing Gaussian quantum optical devices (figuring out what they do) and determine which methods have the best accuracy.  

Austin Blomquist
Mentor: Dr. Vazquez
Objective: The main objective of my research project this summer was developing an experimental methodology for the characterization of soft-tissue viscoelastic properties using uniaxial loading

External Research Opportunities (REU)

Research Experiences for Undergraduate (REU) programs exist at many institutions, typically in the summer with application deadlines normally in December-February. The department provides an annual REU info night for students in the fall semester, maintains for students a collection of REU programs with links to their applications, and provides advising for students interested in applying for these opportunities.

Summer Student Research Projects

Experimental Setup

Yoseph Jung

Mentor: Dr. Darren Craig

Objective: The main objective of my summer research was whether the 2D force-free equilibria capture the essential features of the experimental results of sheared magnetic arcades. We did this by building on previous work done by students, by utilizing their experimental data and the simulation setup