Research Facilities & Projects
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BHUC
The BHUC is a unique, multidisciplinary research facility located at the Ross Campus of the 4850' level of SURF with ~4300 meter water equivalent shielding from cosmic rays.
Learn more about the BHUC
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Spectroscopy Lab
The Physics department at BHSU has created a state-of-the-art spectroscopy laboratory for ongoing research in association with the Sanford Underground Lab.
Learn more about the Spectroscopy Lab
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Above Ground Lab
There is 1100 sq. ft. of dedicated lab space available for SURF projects in the newly-renovated Jonas Science Building at BHSU. This space houses a 12'x12' cleanroom (class 1,000) room as well as a sample prep area for ICP-MS.
Learn more about the Above Ground Lab
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ICP-MS Lab
The BHSU ICP-MS lab is located in the Jonas Science Building on the BHSU campus. The lab houses a class 10,000 cleanrooms and an Agilent 7900 ICP-MS with SPS 4 Autosampler.
Learn more about the ICP-MS Lab
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LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ Collaboration)
Dark matter, 85% of the universe's mass, is thought to be WIMPs. The LZ experiment at SURF in South Dakota aims to detect these particles with a 7-tonne liquid xenon target.
Learn more about the LZ Collaboration
Society of Physics Students
Come join our Society of Physics Students (SPS) chapter at BHSU and meet other students interested in physics! This club meets monthly for different activities including pizza paries, movie nights, and outreach events such as Surf's Neutrino Day.
For more information, please contact SPS President Katie Pedneau (Katie.Pendneau@YellowJackets.BHSU.edu) or SPS Faculty Mentor Brianna Mount (Brianna.Mount@BHSU.edu)
Women in STEM
Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (WiSTEM) is an organization to help better an celebrate women in STEM-related careers or academia.
Interested in Physics Research?
There are many ways for you to be involved in BHSU physics research. We are always looking for enthusiastic new students! There are opportunities for involvement during the summer as well as the school year. The BHSU physics program is growing, and you can be a part of it! Come visit us in Jonas Science 165 for a tour of the lab or stop by next door to visit with Dr. Keeter about your future in physics at BHSU.
What We Do
BHSU is establishing a nuclear and particle astrophysics program that studies the very smallest particles in the universe in order to understand structures as large as stars, supernova, and even galaxies. Two elusive particles, neutrinos and dark matter, are the current subject of intense debate and interest. In fact, national advisory committees list investigating the nature of dark matter and neutrinos among the highest priority questions in particle physics today.
Although these particles arrive at the Earth from space, they are so hard to “see” that it is necessary to place the detectors deep underground, to shield from background “noise” found on surface. Sanford Underground Research Facility will be among the world’s premier locations for such research, and work has already begun at the interim Sanford Lab. BHSU scientists are involved in collaborations with physicists from prestigious institutions throughout the United States and the world to study neutrinos and dark matter. Find out more about the centers hosting Physics research...
These internationally recognized experiments have the potential to change the basic Standard Model of Particle Physics and to forever enhance our understanding of the universe. QuarkNet at Black Hills State University offers teachers a unique opportunity to participate in this ground‑breaking research.
Work With Faculty During The Semester
Students are always encouraged to contact faculty members if they are interested in research at BHSU! Funded opportunities as well as opportunities to conduct research for course are available.
Summer Opportunities
REU
Want to participate in research a mile underground?!
Black Hills State University will host a 10-week REU program centered on underground science at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) each summer. A cohort of students will participate in exciting underground research projects as well as professional development, social, and outreach activities.
Learn more about this opportunity here!
GEMADARC
Black Hills State University will host a 5-week research and travel program centered on underground science at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF). A cohort of students will participate in exciting underground research projects as well as professional development, social and outreach activities.
Learn more about this opportunity here!
Collaboration with University of Michigan
BHSU is collaborating with the University of Michigan to support BHSU students at Ann Arbor for a ten week program each summer for students to become involved in LZ data analysis.
Learn more about this opportunity here!
Presenting Your Results!
List of Careers
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Particle Physics
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Medical Physics
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Optoelectronics
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Nuclear Power
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Financial Market Modelling
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Astronomy and Space
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Quatum Technologies
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Science Education
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Patent Law
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Software Engineering
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Science Communication
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Excellent preparation for graduate school, medical school, and other pre-professional programs.
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Careers of the Future in which the boundaries between traditional boundaries become blurred.
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Madison Jilek
The 200 sq. ft. class 10,000 cleanroom houses lab benches and the 60 sq. ft. class 1,000 cleanroom space is partially occupied with low background counters.
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Ayla Rodriguez
The BHUC has available standard power outlets within the cleanroom and the work area, access to a 'star' ground within the cleanroom, standard internet connections (ethernet and wifi), N, gas distribution and an automated liquid nitrogen (LN) system. Figure 2 shows a proposed configuration of the counting cleanroom. Currently, only about half of this cleanroom is utilized.
