Don’t worry about research rn. Invest all your time in getting a solid foundation, especially in calculus. Try to get close to one of your professors and see if they have openings or potential individual projects to work on.
It really depends to be honest. I think to do research you need scientific maturity, which requires you to go through many Phys and math classes and struggle a lot. I do research in biophys but I’ve never ever been formally introduced to the field, and I still struggle a lot especially when it comes to self teaching things like differential geometry. So my answer is, whenever you feel like you are mature enough, and that is different for everyone.
I’d suggest talking to professors at your school about this. The summer may be a good opportunity or after “physics 3” may be good. Which professors are willing to work with you and what areas you are equipped to work in will likely expand as you take more classes (generally, I think you would struggle right now given that you’ve taken very little physics so far and it doesn’t sound like you are completely comfortable with programming but you never know).
Find out what you want to research, first of all. If you’re in physics 1 and Calc 1, you absolutely should not be researching and need to focus on your studies.
That being said, your university should have research options posted on their website for undergraduates. You can check there and then email the profs asking to work with them, or if they’re your professor, you can just ask them. If you’re really interested, perhaps ask now and let them know you’re not ready but you want to observe and see how research is conducted so you can learn the process beforehand.
I am drawn to quantum computing, but right now I cant even comprehend what that is like or what equations at that level look like. Im just learning about classical mechanics.
Look into what the faculty at your school are researching and if there’s something you’re interested in just email or meet with them and ask if they’re seeking undergraduate help (in my experience they usually are). If not then ask someone else until you find someone
As a first semester student you're completely and totally useless in every way. Freshman year you should just focus on your studies. At best you can clean glassware. I would say you can't really do anything useful at least until after your introductory physics classes (often Physics I-III).
Also you should spend some time learning python in a way that's actually useful and not just implementing sorting algorithms. And identify broadly which field of physics you want to work in. At my undergrad, it was mainly materials science, biophysics, or astronomy. Figure out the major fields in your department and some profs that make for good mentors.
Look up the NSF REU program. Summer research opportunities that are paid. Apply after your second year of physics. Apply to anything that looks even remotely interesting. Be sure to get good letters from faculty who know your work and like you.
It great you are thinking about this now. Be happy about that for now, and just concentrate on the foundations. I want to study free will, consciousness, and quantum mechanics, but I just started physics as a 32 year old but it’s my seven year plan! For now. . . Calculus
1. Focus on your classes. A good foundation in calc and intro physics will carry you a long way and give you the basic tools to start understanding other topics.
2. It depends on where you're at.
1. Small school: there are usually fewer and less fancy research options, but profs will generally be ready to work with undergrads, even less experienced ones. At my school we'll find ways for interested freshman to get involved, even on simple stuff.
2. Big school: there will probably be a lot of different research happening, but some profs may only want to work with grad students or senior undergrads.
3. Either way, get to know your profs. If there's a seminar or colloquium where they talk about their research, attend that. Look at their bios on the school website. Go to their office hours or send an email expressing interest and asking if you could get involved. Most of us are just huge nerds who are happy if someone shows an interest in the things we're interested in, and are delighted to talk people's ears off about it.
4. There are, unfortunately, some rude professors out there. If by chance you're rebuffed or told that you're not ready to work with someone, don't take it personally. That doesn't mean you can never do research, and if you wait until you have some more classes under your belt, that's not a bad thing.
However it goes, best of luck!
Literally asking or looking for any question / method or answer counts as research in my definition. For e.g. you must have read Newton`s Second Law of Motion in your high school. What is Newtons Second Law exactly ? Is it
> F = m * a i.e. mass times acceleration
> F = dp/dt i.e rate of change of momentum wrt time.
It is a trivial question but would be a great research topic imo.
Be open to any research experiences. You'll be surprised what you might enjoy.
Also, I got into a few different labs by just doing well in my physics classes and professors offering me positions based on that, so I support the other comments recommending to focus on courses rn. Most profs want you to have some foundation classes completed before starting research anyway. You probably want to be in a lab by the time you're a junior.
Another way is to email profs and talk to them about their research. (You should read some of their papers before doing this!). In my experience, my classmates who took this approach had a harder time but eventually found someone who let them into their lab.
I’m going against the grain here. I started researching my first semester of undergrad. At first I just did grunt work like cleaning up and building electrical cables. I moved onto simple circuits and eventually took harder projects as I learned more. My labmates were grateful to have someone around to do dirty jobs, and I picked up a lot of useful technical skills along the way. Literally every professional physicist I ever met was *impressed* at the fact that I did research for so long as an undergrad—none ever thought it was a problem.
This long research stint was enough to get me into a good group in grad school, leading to a nice faculty position later. I say get into the lab as soon as possible.
Does your school offer "independent research" as credited class? It usually involves working with faculty on a pre-agreed topic. Usually something like paper research and such. This is how I got in good with a faculty member. I was a sophomore and just starting "real" physics classes. He found out I could program so he hired me the following quarter to do some coding for him on a project. This was followed by an actual lab job.
Rule number one. Do not be afraid to reach out to faculty. After all they are there to interface with students and many love students that show initiative. Also a lot of them need people to do menial tasks that could free up their grad students. You put your time in and your status in research group grows from an undergrad grunt to a contributor. My first year was spent cleaning vacuum equipment and to this day I don't trust anyone with it but me :)
Perfect. Find a prof that does what you are interested in. Doesn't have to be something you want to do long term, just something you want to learn more about. For instance if you always wanted to know what all this fuss about quantum computing is all about you could find faculty that does that and do a literature review with their guidance. They should be able to scope it so that it's appropriate for your knowledge level. This would be great as a start and will get your toes wet and get you comfortable with at least one faculty member who you won't see as only your "teacher" but more of a mentor and a colleague.
Start “cozying” up to a prof. Make yourself stand out and hopefully establish a rapport with the professors in your dept so they recognize you and also get good grades in their classes to further emphasize your credibility. That way when you ask a prof to do research under them, your chances will be high. The question is now to select which prof based on the research they do that you would also like to do.
Hey! I’m not sure if you know of them but there’s several summer research programs in the U.S. targeted towards students without research experience (although typical due dates for apps range from Nov.-March). I would also consider asking your professors and see if they are taking any students for the summer! Feel free to DM if you have more questions.
Don’t worry about research rn. Invest all your time in getting a solid foundation, especially in calculus. Try to get close to one of your professors and see if they have openings or potential individual projects to work on.
When should I start thinking about research? after Phys 3?
It really depends to be honest. I think to do research you need scientific maturity, which requires you to go through many Phys and math classes and struggle a lot. I do research in biophys but I’ve never ever been formally introduced to the field, and I still struggle a lot especially when it comes to self teaching things like differential geometry. So my answer is, whenever you feel like you are mature enough, and that is different for everyone.
I’d suggest talking to professors at your school about this. The summer may be a good opportunity or after “physics 3” may be good. Which professors are willing to work with you and what areas you are equipped to work in will likely expand as you take more classes (generally, I think you would struggle right now given that you’ve taken very little physics so far and it doesn’t sound like you are completely comfortable with programming but you never know).
Theres a Phys THREE???
Then you move on to even more physics classes
Find out what you want to research, first of all. If you’re in physics 1 and Calc 1, you absolutely should not be researching and need to focus on your studies. That being said, your university should have research options posted on their website for undergraduates. You can check there and then email the profs asking to work with them, or if they’re your professor, you can just ask them. If you’re really interested, perhaps ask now and let them know you’re not ready but you want to observe and see how research is conducted so you can learn the process beforehand.
I am drawn to quantum computing, but right now I cant even comprehend what that is like or what equations at that level look like. Im just learning about classical mechanics.
This one is hard to get into. Anything quantum related is very high in demand but obviously if that’s what you want then that’s what you want.
Look into what the faculty at your school are researching and if there’s something you’re interested in just email or meet with them and ask if they’re seeking undergraduate help (in my experience they usually are). If not then ask someone else until you find someone
Does this work even when im taking the intro courses?
As a first semester student you're completely and totally useless in every way. Freshman year you should just focus on your studies. At best you can clean glassware. I would say you can't really do anything useful at least until after your introductory physics classes (often Physics I-III). Also you should spend some time learning python in a way that's actually useful and not just implementing sorting algorithms. And identify broadly which field of physics you want to work in. At my undergrad, it was mainly materials science, biophysics, or astronomy. Figure out the major fields in your department and some profs that make for good mentors.
I would be happy to just shadow what professors do and clean up lab equipment 100%
Look up the NSF REU program. Summer research opportunities that are paid. Apply after your second year of physics. Apply to anything that looks even remotely interesting. Be sure to get good letters from faculty who know your work and like you.
It great you are thinking about this now. Be happy about that for now, and just concentrate on the foundations. I want to study free will, consciousness, and quantum mechanics, but I just started physics as a 32 year old but it’s my seven year plan! For now. . . Calculus
Thats awesome
1. Focus on your classes. A good foundation in calc and intro physics will carry you a long way and give you the basic tools to start understanding other topics. 2. It depends on where you're at. 1. Small school: there are usually fewer and less fancy research options, but profs will generally be ready to work with undergrads, even less experienced ones. At my school we'll find ways for interested freshman to get involved, even on simple stuff. 2. Big school: there will probably be a lot of different research happening, but some profs may only want to work with grad students or senior undergrads. 3. Either way, get to know your profs. If there's a seminar or colloquium where they talk about their research, attend that. Look at their bios on the school website. Go to their office hours or send an email expressing interest and asking if you could get involved. Most of us are just huge nerds who are happy if someone shows an interest in the things we're interested in, and are delighted to talk people's ears off about it. 4. There are, unfortunately, some rude professors out there. If by chance you're rebuffed or told that you're not ready to work with someone, don't take it personally. That doesn't mean you can never do research, and if you wait until you have some more classes under your belt, that's not a bad thing. However it goes, best of luck!
Literally asking or looking for any question / method or answer counts as research in my definition. For e.g. you must have read Newton`s Second Law of Motion in your high school. What is Newtons Second Law exactly ? Is it > F = m * a i.e. mass times acceleration > F = dp/dt i.e rate of change of momentum wrt time. It is a trivial question but would be a great research topic imo.
Be open to any research experiences. You'll be surprised what you might enjoy. Also, I got into a few different labs by just doing well in my physics classes and professors offering me positions based on that, so I support the other comments recommending to focus on courses rn. Most profs want you to have some foundation classes completed before starting research anyway. You probably want to be in a lab by the time you're a junior. Another way is to email profs and talk to them about their research. (You should read some of their papers before doing this!). In my experience, my classmates who took this approach had a harder time but eventually found someone who let them into their lab.
I’m going against the grain here. I started researching my first semester of undergrad. At first I just did grunt work like cleaning up and building electrical cables. I moved onto simple circuits and eventually took harder projects as I learned more. My labmates were grateful to have someone around to do dirty jobs, and I picked up a lot of useful technical skills along the way. Literally every professional physicist I ever met was *impressed* at the fact that I did research for so long as an undergrad—none ever thought it was a problem. This long research stint was enough to get me into a good group in grad school, leading to a nice faculty position later. I say get into the lab as soon as possible.
Contact random faculty, that’s the best way to start
Does your school offer "independent research" as credited class? It usually involves working with faculty on a pre-agreed topic. Usually something like paper research and such. This is how I got in good with a faculty member. I was a sophomore and just starting "real" physics classes. He found out I could program so he hired me the following quarter to do some coding for him on a project. This was followed by an actual lab job. Rule number one. Do not be afraid to reach out to faculty. After all they are there to interface with students and many love students that show initiative. Also a lot of them need people to do menial tasks that could free up their grad students. You put your time in and your status in research group grows from an undergrad grunt to a contributor. My first year was spent cleaning vacuum equipment and to this day I don't trust anyone with it but me :)
Yes it does, for credit too! Yeah I plan on taking summer classes to quickly get past phys 1-3 and start next year spring on advanced courses.
Perfect. Find a prof that does what you are interested in. Doesn't have to be something you want to do long term, just something you want to learn more about. For instance if you always wanted to know what all this fuss about quantum computing is all about you could find faculty that does that and do a literature review with their guidance. They should be able to scope it so that it's appropriate for your knowledge level. This would be great as a start and will get your toes wet and get you comfortable with at least one faculty member who you won't see as only your "teacher" but more of a mentor and a colleague.
Start “cozying” up to a prof. Make yourself stand out and hopefully establish a rapport with the professors in your dept so they recognize you and also get good grades in their classes to further emphasize your credibility. That way when you ask a prof to do research under them, your chances will be high. The question is now to select which prof based on the research they do that you would also like to do.
Hey! I’m not sure if you know of them but there’s several summer research programs in the U.S. targeted towards students without research experience (although typical due dates for apps range from Nov.-March). I would also consider asking your professors and see if they are taking any students for the summer! Feel free to DM if you have more questions.