From www.taylor.edu - Taylor University, integrating faith and learning

Research Opportunities


Physics Research Opportunities

Space Science Research

Engineering Research

Particle Physics Research 

Condensed Matter Physics

Other Research

Students interested in extra-curricular activities can explore a wide range of research opportunities available during both the summer months and the school year. Students are able to participate in both engineering research projects as well as physics research projects. Research projects equip students with practical skills in organization, problem-solving and team work. Faculty members encourage ambitious students to pursue these areas of study to prepare them for experiences beyond college.

Who says that one has to sacrifice research to attend a Christian university? The physics department seeks those who desire the values of Taylor community life and the thrill of cutting-edge research. If students have the necessary drive, they will gain graduate-level experience as an undergrad by working on Taylor's real-life projects funded by agencies such as NASA, the Air Force and NSF.

The Physics Department has significant involvement with the CR&I (Center for Research and Innovation). To visit the CR&I page, click here.  

Through the Science Research Training Program, the department has completed $2 million in externally funded research over the past decade. During the past 10 years, over 20 papers have been published by faculty and students in the Physics department. At least eight students (or recent graduates) have been co-authors on refereed publications with a Taylor professor in the Physics Department. Students were actively involved in every research project, whether through class projects or paid summer research. In an alumni survey, an overwhelming 84 percent of graduates were pleased with the department's research opportunities while they were students.

Research strengths range from theoretical particle physics to space science, digital circuits to nanosatellite development. For example, Taylor's TEST Nanosatellite proposal was the only undergraduate program selected for an Air Force University Nanosat Program $100,000 grant. The TEST Satellite has given way to the Current Satellite research project known as BUSAT. BUSAT is a joint research project with Boston College and Taylor University. BUSAT is being funded by a $100,000 airforce grant. 

Students have been selected for summer internships at major labs, including NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, Argonne National Lab, Fermi Lab and the Mayo Clinic. First-rate graduate schools readily accept graduates, with 45 percent of graduates entering graduate school shortly after leaving Taylor. Small and large corporations regularly hire graduates.

Students begin influencing the world by collaborating on cutting-edge research, speaking at scientific conferences, working on service learning projects, and student teaching at local schools. Recent collaborations have included Stanford and the University of Illinois. As one of many presentations, Taylor students were honored to present the first research paper at the international Small Satellite Conference in 2002 to a crowd of over 500. In partnership with the environmental science department, physics has started a Central American water well drilling ministry.

"The reason I came to Taylor was the fact that it is a Christian school with a good science program. There are lots of research opportunities and interactions with the professors for being such a small school."

Michael Assis 2005

Physics Mission Trips

Students have the unique ability to participate in physics related mission trips to areas of need. During Physics mission trips, engineering and physics students are able to serve God with the talents they have been given. In certain situations, students are also allowed to receive practicum credit for thier physics related service.    

There is also a High Altitude Balloon Workshop every summer. The workshop and materials have been designed for a person who has a basic grasp of electricity and circuits (high-school physics level) all the way through Doctorates of Electrical Engineering. If you would like to learn more please click here.

Research History

 

Timeline of TU Research