University of Maryland Physics Education Research Group
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Opportunities |
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The Physics Education Research Group consists of faculty, graduate students, undergraduate students, staff, and visitors. Positions are sometimes available at all levels. Currently available opportunities for working with the group are described below.
- Research Positions: The group is currently seeking physics graduate students interested in PhD research in two funded areas.
Ph.D. graduate students are expected to have a Bachelor’s degree in physics and meet the same requirements expected of all Ph.D. students in the department.
- Learning to Learn Science: Introductory physics for bioscientists and health care professionals
The group will soon begin a project to investigate student difficulties in the algebra-based physics course (Physics 121-122) with particular emphasis on helping them learn to think about science.
- Teaching Positions: The group occasionally is seeking teaching assistants who are interested in working with us to learn modern teaching methods, including active engagement and group learning techniques. In this case, a teaching assistant would be given a teaching assignment working with a member of the group.
- Teaching Volunteers: The group is also seeking TAs and RAs who want some experience with modern teaching methods. In this case, a student would volunteer 4-5 hours of time per week to work as a second helper in an active-learning class section or lecture.
- Graduate Seminars: The group offers graduate seminars to help physics grad students learn about modern theories and methods of teaching. Our weekly research seminar, Physics 708, is open to all. For the schedule, click here.
- Part-time teaching assistants: The group occasionally hires undergraduates to serve as graders, in-class facilitators, and small-class recitation instructors in classes using innovative or experimental teaching methods.
- Undergraduate research assistants: The group occasionally hires undergraduates to aid in research projects by transcribing videotapes, entering data, building analysis spreadsheets, creating educational software, or building webpages.
- Undergraduate research opportunities: Faculty in the group are available to serve as mentors and advisors on student research projects including in-class research projects, honors projects, and senior theses.
The UMd PERG has frequently served as host to sabbatical visitors but from the US and abroad who are interested in participating in our research projects or innovative teaching.
For more information or to apply for any of the above available positions, contact Prof. E. F. Redish at redish@physics.umd.edu.
