Galaxy
Evolution
VIP

Students who meet the prerequisites enroll in AST211G in the spring semester; no application is required. Sophomores work through training modules and a group starter project; during junior fall they read papers and develop an individual Capstone Project proposal; students then work on the Capstone until graduation.

Prerequisites: sophomore standing; Astronomy 307 with a grade of at least B+; and Astronomy 376R, 275, or 375 with a grade of at least B+. Eligible students can enroll in AST211G in the spring semester.

Some Python experience and astronomical background are helpful, but not required. The first-semester coding modules are designed to bring members to a level where they can complete their first project and develop their own future project.

GEVIP works with a variety of datasets, including observations from JWST, Euclid, and HET.

GEVIP is a for-credit research group. Each credit hour corresponds to about three hours of work per week, and members attend at least two meetings each week.

Members are expected to develop and conduct an individual Capstone Project and present at the Undergraduate Research Forum every spring. Students pursuing graduate school are encouraged to present at AAS in their senior fall; a Capstone can also lead to an AAS Research Note or a published paper.

Sophomores are paired with junior or senior mentors and a graduate student for their first project. Upperclassmen receive guidance from graduate students or postdocs on their Capstone, with regular Wednesday workshops for research problems and discussion.

The vertically integrated structure gives undergraduates direct contact with graduate students, postdocs, the PI, and peers while they develop independent research interests and scientific communication skills.