What is Senior Capstone Project?
Learning requires doing, so all UNO physics majors complete an experiential project before graduation.
The senior capstone project is a required capstone experience where you use your physics experiences to produce something new. You will complete one of the following activities before graduating:
- A Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)
- Research or a project with a faculty member
- An internship
- An independent project
- An off-the-shelf project
What are the requirements?
During or before your senior year, you will produce two major products:
- A written report on your project
- A 10-minute talk about your project
In PHYS 4950, you will work on these two products throughout the semester and receive feedback on your work before final submission. However, you can complete the actual project at any time, and do not have to wait for PHYS 4950.
All written reports are published online in our Student Research Journal. You will write your report in the style used by American Physical Society journals by using the template we provide (Information for Student Authors).
What are some examples?
REUs and Work w/ Faculty: We encourage physics majors to apply for REUs or work with faculty. REUs are typically done during the summer before your senior year. You will use the work completed during the REU for the report and presentation. Working with a faculty member is similar. PHYS 4950 does not need to be taken at the same time as you are completing the work! It is best if you do so afterwards.
Internships: Similarly, internships should be completed before you enroll in PHYS 4950. All internships should involve physics in some way, which you will write about and present. Recently, a student worked with the NASA L'Space Team, for example.
Independent Projects: Our students have some great ideas! You can design your own project. Recently, a student built and tested a guitar effects pedal and determined which transistors were better: silicon or germanium. View an example where a student compared silicon and germanium diodes in a guitar effects pedal.
You can also synergize senior project with a second major or minor. View an example where a student combined philosophy and physics.
Off-The-Shelf Projects: Sometimes students just don't have a clear idea for a project. We have a handful of off-the-shelf projects available for students to complete that are designed to fit within a single academic semester. Download an example where a student measured the speed of light two ways.
Student Research Journal
The work you do will be published in our Physics Student Research Journal. There are a ton of examples of previous student projects that you can download and read in the journal.
Senior projects are fun!
We hope this short outline helps you think about your project. Start early. Talk with faculty. Learn more about REUs. Keep an eye open for internship opportunities. We're here to help you succeed. If you still have questions, then ask.