For students interested in doing research with Andreas Albrecht:
UCD Undergraduates:
Contact me for a meeting to see if I have a suitable topic (upper division physics majors only please). Also, if demand is sufficient, we occasionally organize a weekly informal meeting where undergraduates (of all levels and majors) can learn more about the research (and undergraduate research opportunities) in the UCD cosmology group. Contact me to learn more. You are also most welcome to attend my research group meetings, although these are usually run at a technical level more suitable for grad students. To learn about my research meetings check this page and also subscribe to the cosmology group meeting mailing list here.
Undergraduates should also see the departmental page on undergraduate research opportunities (which includes information about summer opportunities for non-UCD undergraduates as well).
UCD Graduate students:
I decide whether to take on graduate students for PhD research after an informal trail period of one or two quarters. If you are interested please contact me to discuss the possibility and logistics of getting started. Often a good starting point is a meeting where I just review my current research interests so you can see if some of them seem to be a good match to your interests. I encourage you to attend my research group meetings, the cosmology seminars and the Joint Theory Seminars. To learn about my research meetings check this page and also subscribe to the cosmology group meeting mailing list here. It might also be possible for me to supervise readings in cosmology for beginning grad students who are not yet at an appropriate stage to start the trial period for research. Usually, a realistic point to start research with me is after completion of the first two quarters of the 2nd year theoretical cosmology requirement (shown here), but I consider each case individually.
Applicants to the UCD Graduate program:
I sometimes get requests from students applying to the UCD PhD program asking "are you taking students?" All of my PhD students go through a trial period at a suitable stage of their graduate studies, after entering our program (as I discuss above). I am unable make any commitments before then. It is possible that at some times I will not take on new students because I already have enough students, but so far that has very rarely been a problem (and in any case it is not something you can predict much in advance). Often I take on more students than I have funding to support full time, and they make up the difference by taking TA jobs.
The department may in the near future limit the number of students faculty can take who are mainly supported on TA positions. This could substantially impact my ability to take on students in the future. (Students attending the 2009 open house may want to inquire further about this possible new policy.)
Prospective students who wish to learn more about my research program should start with my web site. Once you are admitted to our program please make a point of attending our open house if at all possible. I typically make sure I am available during the open house to address any questions the admitted students may have. If you want to be sure to meet with me, please contact me in advance and I can tell you my availability during that year's open house. If we will miss each other there, I am happy to make alternate arrangements. I do not meet individually with prospective students (except UCD undergraduates) before they are admitted, although applicants who are visiting the department are most welcome to attend my research meetings. To learn about my research meetings check this page and also subscribe to the cosmology group meeting mailing list here.
Information about how to apply to our graduate program can be found here.
"Summer Internships"
Occasionally I get inquiries from students seeking "summer internships". I only supervise research through the regular programs of the UCD physics department. The closest thing we have to a "summer internship" is the undergraduate research opportunities through the National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program (see this page for more REU info). On a given year I may or may not participate in the REU program (I will not participate in 2008). Also, regular UCD undergraduate research projects can extend into the summer. In exceptional cases incoming PhD students can start their research trial period with me in the summer before their first quarter, but in those cases the student would need to be coming in with the equivalent of a Masters Degree. I believe other faculty members may be more flexible about starting PhD students early, so if that possibility interests you you may want to inquire more broadly about it.