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What former REU students say about our program
"My Solar Physics REU experience at Montana State University was simply wonderful. It was a chance to
apply everything I had learned in class to actual research, and to participate in science rather
than just learn about science. Working closely with my mentors gave me new opportunities every day to
discover something new about our research topic, and with the help of my mentors, the solar physics lectures and the IDL tutorial, I learned so much
about the sun and solar physics and gained experience in computer programming......" more
Eric Wolf, 2008 Participant
Chemical Physics and Math major, Michigan State University
"I cannot imagine many ways in which I would rather have spent my summer months than as a participant in MSU's REU 2008 Solar Physics program.
Virtually every aspect of the program was better than I had expected it to be. The classes conducted on
topics in solar physics were exceptional. The research was interesting, fun and cutting-edge,
which is something no aspiring physicist can value too highly. The mentors were competent, helpful and patient as they offered
us insight and guidance on our projects. Even outside the classroom, Montana proved to be one of
the most beautiful and scenic places I've ever been......" more
Christopher Plumberg, 2008 Participant
Astronomy and Astrophysics major, Eastern University
"The Montana State University solar physics REU was an absolutely
incredible experience. It really opened my eyes to the world of solar
physics. My research area alone exposed me to a whole new vault of
knowledge about the sun and it's magnetic field. The solar physics
lectures expanded this knowledge to cover pretty much the entire sun!
The most incredible part was being a part of the scientific process.
The research was incredible, and so was Montana......" more
Chris Lowder, 2007 Participant
Physics major, Georgia Institute of Technology
"During my summer stay in the Solar REU program, I learned voluminous
amounts. I picked up another programming language and learned about
the biggest problems with our understanding of the sun. I feel like I
even got a glimpse of what physics is all about, which has less to do
with all the equations memorized from textbooks and more about trying
with our little minds to understand nature in spite of its apparent
desire to be utterly incomprehensible. The mentors were great and
helped bring us into this world of current research......" more
Nicholas Hill,
2007 Participant
Physics major, Grinnell College
"My Solar REU experience at MSU was an incredible opportunity. The
mentors in the program were so supportive and encouraging and at the
same time I was given a great deal of independence in my work. We were
taught the tools we needed to be successful in our research and we
continued to learn throughout the summer with various lectures and
seminars. I learned so much in the course of only ten weeks......"
more
Emily McLinden,
2006 Participant
Physics major, Loyola University Chicago
"Go to Montana, work hard and have fun. My experience of
the Solar
REU was positive throughout. At work, we learnt rapidly and were
soon given charge of our own research projects. I was fortunate to
have a mentor who gave me both the independence I desired and the
support I needed. He was also a good friend and our work was very
rewarding. At play, I made a lot of friends from the Solar and other
REU programs. Then there was Star Party, Glacier National Park,
hiking, floating, climbing, soccer, Lost, bars, movies, kickball,
Shakespeare, pizza, ice-cream..". more
Alexander Russell, 2006 Participant
Mathematics and Theoretical Physics major, University of
St. Andrews, Scotland
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