Research and Internships

Research Opportunities

Students interested in graduate school are strongly encouraged to participate in research during their undergraduate years to:

1. Gain experience tackling open-ended problems using techniques learned in different courses.
2. Find out which aspects or types of research you enjoy.
3. Strengthen your applications to graduate school.
4. Get to know a research mentor who can write you a personalized letter of recommendation.

Research at APU

Faculty members in the Department of Computer Science, Engineering, Math, Physics, and Statistics conduct research with several students each summer. Funding is available to pay students for their work on a research project. Students present the results of their work on campus at our Research Day and off campus at a conference during the following school year. Students interested in summer research should initiate conversations with potential research mentors by February.

Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs)

The National Science Foundation funds REUs at more than 50 colleges and universities around the country each summer. REU participants typically receive room, board, and a generous stipend. Because acceptance to most REU programs is rather competitive, students should consider applying to several REUs to maximize their chances of acceptance.

Internship Opportunities

APU students have secured internships with a wide variety of organizations, including the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (part of NASA), Northrop Grumman Corporation, and the National Security Agency (NSA). APU’s Center for Research in Science (CRIS) maintains a list of internship opportunities for students studying STEM disciplines.

At the department’s Career Night each fall, students have opportunities to form connections with alumni and recruiters and to hear advice from fellow math and physics majors who have had successful internship experiences.

Note: This information is current for the 2024-25 academic year; however, all stated academic information is subject to change. Refer to the current Academic Catalog for more information.