Institute For Advanced Study Hosts Physics Graduate Students

The Institute for Advanced Study will host an intensive two-week program for graduate students considering a career in theoretical physics. Now in its third year, Prospects in Theoretical Physics will take place July 19-30 on the Institute campus.

This year�s focus is String Theory. Sessions will be geared toward advanced graduate students who are already actively involved in research in string theory.

"One of the goals of the program is to help train the next generation of scholars in theoretical physics," says Chiara Nappi, Professor of Physics at Princeton University, one of the program organizers. "A special effort has been made to attract women, minorities, and students from institutions that do not have extensive programs in theoretical physics, or access to research universities."

Rather than delivering introductory lectures, the speakers will talk about their current work, and will discuss current problems in the field as well as possible new research directions. The format will emphasize student participation, with organized sessions in the mornings, and afternoons free for interaction among students and faculty.

While the Institute for Advanced Study is a research institution for scientists and scholars at the postdoctoral or faculty level, Prospects in Theoretical Physics is an outreach activity devoted specifically to graduate students. Organizers and lecturers are members of the Institute faculty and that of Princeton University, as well as scientists from other institutions. The roster includes Juan Maldacena, Nathan Seiberg, and Edward Witten of the Institute for Advanced Study; Curtis Callan, Steven Gubser, Nissan Itzhaki, Igor Klebanov, Nappi, Alexander Polyakov, Leonardo Rastelli, and Paul Steinhardt of Princeton University; Louise Dolan, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Kenneth Intriligator, University of California at San Diego; Burt Ovrut, University of Pennsylvania; Stephen Shenker, Stanford University; and Charles Thorn, University of Florida in Gainesville.

Prospects in Theoretical Physics 2004 receives funding from The Concordia Foundation and the J. Seward Johnson, Sr. Charitable Trusts.

For further information call (609) 734-8389 or see www.ias.edu/pitp.