Physics

Program Overview

Help shape our understanding of the universe working side-by-side with the world's top scientists while preparing yourself for the jobs of the future.

Learn science in a student-centered learning environment with course instruction and labs taught by full-time faculty.

Do science through the program's strong commitment to undergraduate research and internships that are an integral part of the curriculum.

Develop new science with cutting-edge instrumentation in one-of-a-kind laboratories on the Spearfish campus and 4,850 feet below the surface of the Earth in the BHSU Underground Campus.

Join exciting paid summer programs including those offered by National Labs, the National Science Foundation (NSF), the South Dakota Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network (BRIN), and the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU).

Research Facilities & Projects

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 courses are available.

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.

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.

BHSU Research Symposium

State-Wide Poster Session

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 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (WiSTEM) is an organization to help better an celebrate women in STEM-related careers or academia

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.

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.

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!