About Research in Physics ("RPhys")
Research in Physics is a yearlong sequence of courses in which NCSSM students develop and carry out independent projects in many different areas of physics and astronomy. This is an advanced course for students with the maturity, independence, and motivation necessary to conduct their own research project.
Current Students to Contact
What would I do in the program?
During JanTerm, you will learn to search online for scientific literature in physics and physics-related areas (including astronomy), write a couple of article summaries on a topic of interest to you, read from the primary scientific literature and participate in discussions on current issues in physics research.
During spring semester of your junior year, with the instructor's help you will select an area of physics in which you are interested in developing an independent project. You will find and read references related to that topic, and write a literature review paper on your topic. You will then develop a specific research question and write a research proposal for how you plan to answer your question. See below for examples of the topics being investigated by the current RPhys seniors. You might also carry out a short mini-project on some topic in physics (not necessarily related to the topic of your literature review and proposal).
You will be expected to participate in the summer research program at NCSSM (SRIP). For most students, the summer program is when much of the important experimentation and troubleshooting of projects occurs.
During fall semester of your senior year, you will continue collecting data for your project, analyze your data, draw conclusions from your data and write a research paper that summarizes your entire project. You will also create oral and poster presentations of your project. You will have the opportunity to present your completed work in science competitions and at a professional conference.
How do I know this program is a good fit for me?
Students in this program have a very strong interest in physics. Students are selected based on commitment, work ethic, dependability, skill, experience and ability to work independently. Some prior knowledge of physics is a desirable quality.
What projects have past / current students worked on?
Comparing Radio and X-Ray Emissions from Repeating FRB 180916.J0158+65
Analyzing the Effects of High Density Aerosols within a Plume
Investigating the properties of Gravitational Waves from Compact Binary Coalescences using a Newtonian Model
Modeling a metal nanoparticle optical biosensor
Investigating the Orbital Motion of IR Flares about Sagittarius A*
Implementing a Quantum Algorithm for Solving Systems of Linear Equations
Modeling the mass distribution of the lensing galaxy of MG1131+0456
Analyzing the Polarization of Skylight in Relation to the Air Quality Index
Correlation between Peel Speed and Intensity of Triboluminescence of Adhesive Tape
Generation of Electricity from the Wind Draft of Cars
Evaluation of Polyvinyl-Alcohol Polymers as an Effective Shielding Mechanism against Ionizing Radiation Induced Degradation in COTS Microcontroller Devices
Exploring the Relationships of Optical Blazar and Quasar Variability Through a Range of Redshifts
Cosmic Radiation Shielding Properties of Lunar Regolith
Controlling probability distributions in a noise-driven dynamical system with correlated noise sources
Time domain calculations of scalar self-force and radiation from an orbiting point charge in Schwarzschild spacetime
Interrelatedness of Frequency, Amplitude, and Velocity in Underwater Undulatory Swimming
Novel Application of Microwave Power Transfer for the Recharging of Batteries in Biomedical Devices
Photoexcitation energy transfer enhancement through atomic ligand exchange in a novel graphene-colloidal quantum dot interface
Experimental Investigation of Wave Energy Conversion in Buoys of Varying Major and Minor Axis Ratios
Group Halo Mass and Galactic Disk Evolution in the RESOLVE Survey
Exploration of the correlation of flow rate with number of sides in polygonal hydraulic jumps
Search for Giant Pulses in three high Edot Pulsars
Use of Spray Adhesives for the Manufacture of 3-D Capillary Origami Microstructures
Gravity Wave Disturbances in the F-region Ionosphere Above Large Earthquakes
Dependence of the Magnus Force on the Velocity and Spin of a Smooth Ball
Fragment Mass Distributions of Smashed Hollow Objects
Application Deadline
September 29,
12:00 PM (Noon)
12:00 PM (Noon)
Scheduling
Junior J-Term,
Junior Spring,
Summer
& Senior Fall
Junior Spring,
Summer
& Senior Fall
Commitment
J-Term,
3-Week Summer Session &
Two Semesters
3-Week Summer Session &
Two Semesters
Course Information
PH4920, J-Term
PH4921 & PH4922,
Academic Year
PH4921 & PH4922,
Academic Year
Jon Bennett, NCSSM Instructor and John Kolena Chair of Physics
Jon Bennett has been at NCSSM since 1997. He has taught a range of physics courses from introductory to advanced, and developed a new course in Fluids/Thermodynamics, Waves/Sound/Optics, Quantum Mechanics; as well as Research in Physics. Jon has mentored over 100 research students in the Research in Physics, REX Physics, and Summer Research in Physical Science programs, a number of whom have presented their work in science competitions and at professional physics conferences. He developed and served as the co-principal investigator for a multi-year, grant-funded summer opportunity for numerous North Carolina students -- the Research Experience in Chemistry, Astronomy, and Physics at NCSSM. Jon initiated and has served since 2011 as faculty advisor for NCSSM's journal of student STEM research, Broad Street Scientific. He has also served in school leadership positions including Physics Chair, Faculty Senate Vice President, and strategic planning team member.
Michael Falvo, NCSSM Durham Instructor of Physics
Mike Falvo joined NCSSM in August of 2022 as a physics instructor on the Durham campus. Prior to NCSSM, he was a research professor in the UNC-Chapel Hill Department of Physics & Astronomy where he taught and conducted research for over 20 years. Mike taught a range of courses at UNC-Chapel Hill, including introductory physics, as well as courses in material science, nanotechnology, and biophysics. He also created several courses, including a First Year Seminar on Nanoscience which he developed with the help of a grant he won from the NSF. He has also mentored dozens of student research projects, several of which resulted in first-author student publications in top research journals. His research resulted in publications on topics ranging from nanoelectronics to cell biophysics in journals including Science, Nature, and PNAS. Mike earned his bachelor's in physics at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, and his master's and doctoral degrees in physics at UNC-Chapel HIll. A proud Durhamite, he and his wife have lived in the Bull City for over 20 years, where they raised their son and wrangled several cats and dogs. As a card-carrying generalist, Mike enjoys mountain biking, bird-watching, banjo, gardening, and trail running, all of which he enthusiastically pursues with middling success.
Course Descriptions
PH4920 Research in Physics I (*R*)
Prerequisite(s): By application in the Fall of the Junior year.
Corequisite(s): None
Graduation Requirements Met: January Term
Schedule Requirements Met: January Term
Meeting Times: Two week intensive January Term
This is an advanced course for January Term junior students with the maturity, independence, and motivation necessary to conduct their own research project. Students learn the scientific method and experimental design before conducting a trial experiment on a small scale. Students then write a mini- literature review on the topic of interest to them. Throughout the term students read from the primary scientific literature and participate in discussion groups on current issues in biological research. Students with a final grade of P or higher are expected to continue in Research in Physics II. This course includes a significant research component.
PH4921 Research in Physics II (*R*)
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of the immersive two week JanTerm course PH4920 Research in Physics I. Students with Junior standing apply in the Fall for entry to the Research in Physics sequence.
Corequisite(s): None
Graduation Requirements Met: One STEM credit OR One Physics credit
Schedule Requirements Met: One of five courses required each semester
Meeting Times: Seven periods per week and three labs
This is an advanced course for second semester junior students with the maturity, independence, and motivation necessary to conduct their own research project. Students learn the scientific method and experimental design before conducting a trial experiment on a small scale. Students write a literature review on a topic of interest to them. Students then write a detailed research proposal and defend it to a panel of their peers. If time permits, students begin to learn techniques and to gather data for their experiments. Throughout the term, students read from the primary scientific literature and participate in discussion groups on current issues in physics research. Based on the outcomes of the term's work, students may be given an opportunity to participate in summer research programs on campus. Students with a final grade of B or higher are expected to continue in PH446 Research in Physics III during fall semester of their senior year.
PH4922 Research in Physics III (*R*)
Prerequisite(s): PH4921 Research in Physics II, or permission of Chair of Physics.
Corequisite(s): None
Graduation Requirements Met: One STEM credit
Schedule Requirements Met: One of five courses required each semester
Meeting Times: Seven periods per week and three labs
Students continue work on their previous research to produce additional data and conduct statistical analysis, as needed. They may research extension questions based on their original work. Students write a formal research paper and prepare a formal presentation. Students are required to present their results at the NCSSM Research Symposium in the spring and are encouraged to present their research at the North Carolina Student Academy of Science competition and other competitions.