Physics Research and Internship Resources

Students interested in obtaining research experience within the Physics Department should visit the Undergraduate Research page and the list of faculty that are willing to have undergrads working in their research units.

Students interested in graduate school or research in general, should think about applying to a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program the summer of their junior year. REU programs have a wide range of topics and are available in many universities across the country. Lists of REU programs throughout the United States are accessible on the National Science Foundation (NSF) REU search page.

For students interested in a teaching career in physics, the CalTeach/Mathematics and Science Teaching (MAST) program at UC Davis offers internship opportunities in Physics Education. Through their Learning Assistant program, students can gain experience needed for teaching credential programs at either the K-12 or lower division college course level. The Physics Teacher Education Coalition (PhysTEC) has named UC Davis one of eighteen national demonstration sites for the education of physics teachers. All physics majors are encouraged to gain some level of teaching experience by taking advantage of the following opportunities: Physics 7 Learning Assistant, MAST I, MAST II, MAST III. For more information, interested students can email MAST lecturer Mary-Betty Stevenson at mbstevenson@ucdavis.edu.

Other internship and career resources are available at the Internship and Career Center, including upcoming Internship and Career Fair dates, resume assistance, and job interview advice.

Physics Career Research Information

All physics majors are highly encouraged to become familiar with the American Institute of Physics (AIP) website during their undergraduate studies. The AIP website is an invaluable, up-to-date resource for news within the field of physics, and contains information and resources for both students and professionals.

The AIP website's Career Resources page contains a wide variety of content that can help students who are deciding on physics as a major, considering graduate studies, or seeking their first job in the field. Job listings for undergraduate students still at the bachelors degree level are available through the Society of Physics Students (SPS) Jobs site, while more advanced level positions can be viewed via the Physics Today Jobs page.

During the academic year, the Physics Department offers PHY 190 (Undergraduate Physics Career Seminar) and PHY 185 (Alumni Seminar Series) to give students an opportunity to learn about various career paths from both current faculty and past UCD physics graduates. These seminars are highly recommended for students of all academic levels. PHY 190 is offered every fall quarter, while PHY 185 is offered every spring.

To further help students explore the possibilities of their majors, UC Davis now hosts a new blog, What Can I Do With My Major?, a useful career resource that is frequently updated by advisors and faculty on campus.

It is recommended that all undergraduates regularly view job listings and conduct career research within physics and become familiar with the various qualifications and skills currently in demand by employers. In many cases, courses or opportunities may be available on campus that can gain students experience with these preferred skills during their undergraduate studies, giving them a head start when seeking their first employment position.

UCD Physics Student Placement After Undergraduate Studies