computational and data science in astrophysics
CDSA students must be US citizens or permanent residents currently enrolled in a bachelor degree program. Succesful applicants will have completed two semesters of introductory calculus-based physics and be at least one year away from completing a bachelor degree. While previous experience in computer programming will have a positive impact on a student's experience in the CDSA program, such experience is not required of applicants.
To apply, fill out the online application form, which will ask you to upload a college transcript (unofficial copy is adequate) and provide a brief essay describing your interest in this REU program.
The application form asks for the names of two references, preferably faculty or other mentors who can directly comment on your aptitude for undergradaute research. You do not need to have them send letters directly to us - we will request letters from them if necessary.
Your essay should describe your interests in science, computation and data science. Include relevant aspects of your academic record and your tentative career plans. Indicate why you feel participation in this REU program would benefit you, and the part it can play in your future plans.
Undergraduate students at NC State have been actively involved in astrophysics research for 35 years. Below we highlight previous URCA students.
"URCA [2012] was my first exposure to academic research and solidified my love for physics. My experience in the URCA program strengthened my graduate school applications and contributed to my acceptance at multiple top institutions. I recently [2021] completed my PhD in plasma physics with astrophysical applications at MIT."
The neutrinos emitted from the proto-neutron star created in a core-collapse supernova must run through a significant amount of turbulence before exiting the star. We study the effect of non-Kolmogorov turbulence power spectra upon neutrinos from a point source as a function of neutrino energy and turbulence amplitude at a fixed postbounce epoch. We find the two effects of turbulence upon the neutrinos—the distorted phase effect and the stimulated transitions—both possess strong and weak limits in which dependence upon the power spectrum is absent or evident, respectively.
Neel's results are published in The Physical Review D:
Kneller & Kabadi 2015, PhRvD, 92, 013009