Plasma physics is central to scientists in many disciplines including astrophysics, space physics, nuclear fusion. Despite its importance, most astronomy and physics programs in the USA do not offer formal courses in plasma physics. 

 

The goal of this school is to prepare students, mostly physics undergraduates (including postbaccs, pre-docs, and early grad students), to participate in summer research in plasma physics, from the laboratory to the Universe, during the 6-8 weeks following the school. 

 

This program will begin with two weeks of lectures at UTSA June 1-13, 2025. It will continue over the summer with research internships at various locations (a list of partner institutions can be found here) and weekly Zoom meetings culminating in reports on student research progress at a final (hybrid) meeting in August.​

​

Extreme Electrodynamics June 2-6, 2025

​​

1. Mathematical Methods 

2. Introduction to Scientific Computing 

   • Basic UNIX and Python 

   • High Performance Computing

   • Applications of Coding         

3. Introduction to 

   • Classical Mechanics/Lagrangian & Hamiltonian Mechanics

   • Statistical Physics/Kinetic Theory 

4. Electromagnetism 

   • Introduction

   • Radiative processes - dipole radiation 

5. Introduction to Relativity 

6. Astronomy 

   • Neutron Stars 

   • Black Holes 

7. Fluid Mechanics 

   • Hydro and MHD equations, waves 

   • Hydro Instabilities 

 

Plasma Physics June 9-13, 2025

 

1. Introduction to plasmas 

   • Non-extreme astrophysical plasmas

   • Extreme astrophysical plasmas

   • Solar wind + Earth magnetosphere

2. More on fluids

   • ​​ MHD instabilities 

3. Shocks and Diffusive Shock Acceleration

4. Motion of charged particles in EM fields

5. Turbulence

   • ​ MHD turbulence

   •  Kinetic turbulence

6. Magnetic reconnection

7. Relativistic magnetospheres and flows/jets

8. Numerical methods

9. Laser-plasma interactions

10. Fusion plasmas 

​

​

​

​​​

Please go to https://tinyurl.com/zunma34 to access the application form.

Inquiries can be sent to utsasummer25sceecs@gmail.com 

​

During the lecture weeks, students will be provided meals and accommodation on the UTSA campus. Limited travel assistance to UTSA is available upon request.

 

It is anticipated that most students will participate in research internships during the summer supported by competitive stipends.

​

Applications will start to be reviewed on January 10, 2025, and will continue to be accepted after the formal deadline. We strongly encourage members of under-represented groups and societies such as NSBP, NSHP, SACNAS to apply. 

​

This session is organized by Richard Anantua, Roger Blandford, Noemie Globus, Matthew Kunz, Sasha Philippov, Yajie Yuan.

​

​

​

​