Global Resource Navigation

• A-Z Index
• Calendar
• Give to UW
• People
• WyoWeb

Astronomy at the University of Wyoming

2015 Program Dates

Start date: June 1.

Program Overview

The University of Wyoming and the National Science Foundation sponsor an 8-week summer REU program focused on galaxy evolution.  Each student will be trained to use our 2.3 meter and 0.6 meter telescopes and to analyze astronomical data.  Frequent seminars will cover recent breakthroughs in astronomy, computational techniques, preparing for graduate school, best practices for written and oral presentations, and responsible research conduct.

Support

Each participant will be awarded a stipend of $500/week (before tax), convenient dormitory housing and meal plan, and travel funds for getting to and from Laramie.  Only U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible.

Research projects

Each summer our cohort of REU students will work as a team under the direction of a professor to study a specific aspect of galaxy evolution.  During the summer of 2015, our program will focus on characterizing the properties of runaway massive stars in galactic star-forming regions. Students will learn how to process and analyze astronomical spectra and imaging data, learn techniques in scientific programming, and become expert observers.  In fact, our 2012 and 2013 and 2014 REU cohorts averaged over 40 nights on our 2.3 meter telescope on nearby Mt. Jelm and 30 nights on our 0.6 meter telescope.  

Location

Situated between two mountain ranges and lying at an elevation of 7,200 feet, Laramie's location provides excellent outdoor opportunities in the Rocky Mountain West.  Previous REU participants have gone hiking, climbing, rafting and camping in Yellowstone National Park. Laramie's unique cultural flavor combines elements of the rugged rural west with the cosmopolitan aspects of an intellectual center.  By car, Laramie is approximately two hours from Denver.

Application procedure

All application materials, including two letters of reference, may be emailed as pdfs to Beth Leonard  at physics@uwyo.edu. If sent via Snail Mail please address to:

Application deadline: February 13, 2015

Program offers will be made March 1, 2015