Solar Physics/Astronomy and Space Physics REU Program for Summer 2006


Undergraduate Partipants
  • Adam Calhoun, Mathematics, St. Andrews University
  • Jennifer Duaime, Physics & Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
  • Crystal Fordyce, Physics, Clemson University
  • Brad Hartl, Physics, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
  • Andy Koepke, Physics, Industrial Mathematics & Statistics, West Virginia University
  • Jada Maxwell, Physics, Evergreen State College
  • Letisha McLaughlin, Physics, University of North Carolina Wilmington
  • Emily McLinden, Physics, Loyola University of Chicago
  • Kudzanayi Munetsi-Mugomba, Applied Mathematics & Physics, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania
  • Kerry Neal, Physics, Oberlin College
  • Alexander Russell, Mathematics & Theoretical Physics, St. Andrews University
  • Theodore Wahl, Physics, Carleton College
  • Graduate Partipants
  • Jianxia Cheng, Astronomy, Nanjing University
  • Antonia Wilmot-Smith, Applied Mathematics, St. Andrews University
  • Anthony Yeates, Applied Mathematics, St. Andrews University
  • Room numbers and mentors are listed here.

    Research projects planned for this summer are described here.

    Group pictures are linked here.

    Individual pictures are linked here.

    CALENDAR OF EVENTS

    The Calendar of Events includes:
  • Weekly discussions from Journey from the Center of the Sun
  • Interactive Data Language (IDL) tutorials for the first week
  • Ethics in Science, Web Page & Scientific Writing, Applying to Grad Schools
  • Summer Picnic for all summer undergraduate research programs at MSU
  • Lectures on magnetohydrodynamics by Prof. Eric Priest, St. Andrews University
  • TRAVEL INFORMATION

  • Default schedule: Plan to arrive on June 4, depart on August 12.
  • By air: Work out your detailed itinerary to Bozeman/Big Sky/Yellowstone (BZN) airport, and its cost, but don't actually buy a ticket until you have contacted your research advisor. His/her responsibility is to furnish you with an e-mail confirming the itinerary and the amount we will pay (economy/coach airfare for the default arrival and departure dates). This e-mail must be sent before the actual purchase, to authorize the reimbursement. Once you have purchased your ticket, send printouts of (1) your receipt, (2) your itinerary -- which may be included in your receipt, (3) the authorizing e-mail from your research advisor and (4) the name and address for the reimbursement check to Solar REU Program, Physics Department, Montana State University, Bozeman MT 59717-3840. It takes about two weeks to process the reimbursement check and put it in the mail to you.
  • By car: Make sure your research advisor knows that you plan to drive and has sent you an authorizing e-mail stating how much the REU program will reimburse you for your travel expenses (mileage, lodging, meals). You will be reimbursed for mileage ($0.445/mile up to 1000 miles, $.415/mile thereafter) on the basis of the distance from your university to Bozeman. However, the total reimbursement cannot exceed the amount of round trip airfare from the commercial airport nearest your university to the Bozeman/Big Sky/Yellowstone airport (BZN). When you submit your request for reimbursement (after you arrive in Bozeman), you will be expected to provide printed documentation of (1) the distance (printout from mapquest.com, or the like); (2) the round trip airfare (printout from travelocity.com, or the like); (3) the amount your advisor has committed to pay for your travel (printout of the authorizing e-mail).
  • Click here for airport arrival times and pickup information
  • RESIDENCE HALL INFORMATION

    You will be lodged in Hapner Residence Hall, which is all-female during the academic year, but is coed in the summer. You will have a single room, fully furnished (including bed linens and towels), with a personal refrigerator, fan, and internet connection. There are shared cooking facilities on each floor.
  • Visitor Information Sheet
  • Board of Regents Alcohol Policies
  • State of Montana Alcohol Policies
  • Visitors Parking Map (pdf)
  • On-campus residence hall parking is provided by the Solar Physics REU program. Permit should be picked up at the University Police Station (see "Visitors Parking Map" above) at your earliest convenience, after you've checked in at your residence hall. The "MSU Visitor Information Sheet" is written for Summer Conferences, not the REU program, but neverless has a lot of useful information. Where the information on that sheet contradicts information on this page, believe what is on this page! For example, REU participants can safely ignore the listed Check-in/Check-out times and Computer Access and Recreational Facilities Access cost information (both are provided through the REU program),

    LIBRARY ACCESS

    Library access is provided by the Solar Physics REU program.

    STIPEND PAYMENT SCHEDULE

    The basic stipend for the 10-week program is $4000. Students also receive a $330 meal allowance. Partial payments of the basic stipend will be received at the beginning of the 1st, 5th, and 9th weeks of the 10-week program. The balance will be mailed after the MSU residence hall staff confirms that there are no charges for damage, cleaning, etc, and the MSU library staff confirms that all library materials have been returned. The meal allowance will credited to the MSU ID card (called a One Card) funded by the REU program, and can be used at the cafeteria in the Strand Union Building.

    CONSENT FORMS

    MSU does not provide health and accident insurance for REU program participants. You are financially responsible for any medical bills incurred as a result of emergency or other medical treatment. You are asked to notify the REU program coordinator in writing if you have medical conditions about which emergency medical personnel should be informed. If medical treatment is needed because of injury or illness during the REU program, every effort will be made to contact the parent(s) for whom you provide contact information. However, we also need your consent to obtain emergency treatment on your behalf, and need documentation of your insurance coverage (a copy of your insurance card) for that purpose.

    During the REU program photographs and videotape footage may be obtained to document the program's activities. This material will be used to document and publicize various aspects of the REU program. Your consent is needed for this purpose.

    Please print out the CONSENT FORM (pdf), fill it out, attach a copy of your insurance card and a notification of medical conditions about which emergency medical personnel should be informed, and mail it to Solar Physics REU Program, Physics Department, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717-3840.

    RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

    The REU program provides participants with access, through their One Card, to facilities such as those of Intramurals and Recreation and Outdoor Recreation. If you've explored the MSU REU web site from past years, you've no doubt seen pictures of camping & rafting trips that have used equipment rented at very reasonable prices from Outdoor Recreation, such as: Camping at Hyalite Reservoir, near Bozeman, Summer 2001 and Rafting on the Yellowstone, Summer 2004. Bring appropriate clothing and gear for camping and backpacking, if you want to join these trips!

    ODDS & ENDS

  • MSU information
  • Bozeman information
  • Outside Bozeman
  • Montana information
  • REU Introductions
  • Postal Service letters and packages may be addressed to:
  • Participant Name
    Solar REU Program
    Department of Physics
    Montana State University
    Bozeman, MT 59717-3840
  • Express courier letters and packages may be addressed to:
  • Participant Name
    Solar REU Program
    Department of Physics EPS 264
    Montana State University
  • Emergency points of contact:
  • Ms. Rose Waldon
    Physics Department Administrator
    406-994-6186
    Prof. Richard Canfield
    Solar Physics REU Program Coordinator
    406-994-5581 (work)
    406-582-9409 (home)