Research
The Ray P. Authement College of Sciences plays a central role in the University's research mission. Much of the research in our college focuses on the solution of fundamental problems in the biological, physical, mathematical, and computational sciences, but many of the answers to these questions have very practical applications as well. We also conduct research focused on the development of solutions targeted at specific real world applications. All the departments and programs within the College place a strong emphasis on student participation in research projects – both at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Biology
We are actively engaged in research and education as part of one of the largest biology programs located on the Gulf Coast. Our students are involved in research at all levels. We conduct laboratory research in diverse areas of biology ranging from biomedical to environmental and evolutionary biology, and many of us do field research throughout the Americas, including the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, Panama, North Atlantic, and Amazon Basin. We also work in close collaboration with state and federal partners to expand research and training opportunities for our students. For example, the LUMCON marine laboratory in Cocodrie, Louisiana, provides laboratory facilities, small boats, and large marine vessels in support of research along our coast. The USGS National Wetlands Research Center and the NOAA Estuarine Habitats and Coastal Fisheries Center in the UL Lafayette Research Park provide additional research opportunities. This is a great area to be a biologist because of our diverse opportunities for lab and field research. We have active research programs in: Systematics, Biogeography & Evolution; Marine Biology; Functional Morphology & Physiology; Conservation & Ecology; Molecular & Cell Biology; and, Microbiology. Please visit our research page to learn more.
Chemistry
Research in the UL Lafayette Department of Chemistry covers all major areas of the science: analytical, biological, organic, inorganic, and physical. As a student, we encourage you to do individual research, but it's not required. If you're a student, you can work with a faculty member with whom you share interests and work together on a research project. Many of our students take part in such courses. Our students work with a faculty member, and the faculty member acts as a research advisor. There are often other members in the research group working on related projects. Projects deal with measurement of properties, theoretical calculations, or synthesis. The work done is leading edge and of publishable quality. For example, every semester synthetic chemistry projects in the department yield new compounds never before seen. Please visit our research page to learn more.
Computing and Informatics
The Center for Advanced Computer Studies is the research arm of the School of Computing and Informatics. The Center houses several research laboratories and groups that carry out cutting-edge research. Research areas are listed below by topic and by faculty. This includes members in the computer science and informatics programs, in addition to CACS. The Center conducts research in the following areas: Bioinformatics; Communications and Networks; Computer Hardware and Systems; Databases and Web Technologies; Intelligent Systems; Security and Trusted Computing; and, Software Engineering and Systems. Please visit our research page to learn more.
Geosciences
Faculty and students in the School of Geosciences conduct a wide-variety of globally and locally relevant research. Topics include (but are not limited to): carbon sequestration; petrophysics; paleomagnetics; stable isotope geochemistry (for climate proxies and other applications); petroleum geochemistry; water sustainability; geodynamics; water quality; paleontology; and, exploration geophysics. Please visit our geosciences research page to learn more.
Environmental Studies
Our faculty, researchers, graduate students, and undergraduate students pursue field, laboratory, experimental, and modeling studies of geological and environmental problems in Louisiana and around the world. Please see or faculty web pages for more information on research interests. The school's excellent facilities and instrumentation support a range of methods including: field studies; carbonate and evaporite petrology; environmental geology; geochemistry; geophysics; geomagnetism; hydrogeology; igneous petrology; micropaleontology; sedimentology; stratigraphy; structural geology; subsurface geology; computation; and, modeling. Please visit our environmental studies research page to learn more.
Petroleum Geology
Our petroleum research focus area includes stratigraphic, structural, petrological, and basin-scale analysis of petroleum systems, the processing and interpretation of geophysical data, characterization of unconventional resource plays, and subsurface mapping. We leverage our in-house analytical equipment like the Rock Eval pyrolysis unit for many projects and also work with industry partners to acquire samples, well log, and geophysical data to support our research. Please visit our petroleum geology research page to learn more.
Mathematics
Our professors and students explore a broad range of areas and ideas in mathematics and statistics from foundational theory to applied research. We have active researchers in the following areas: algebra, analysis; biomathematics; differential equations; dynamical systems; interval arithmetic; mathematics education; numerical analysis; topology; statistics; and, statistics education. Please contact us if you'd like to hear more about graduate and undergraduate research opportunities in the UL Lafayette Mathematics Department. Please visit our research page to learn more.
Physics
The Department of Physics has vigorous and exciting research programs in a variety of interesting experimental and theoretical topics, including atmospheric, physical, and underwater acoustics, computational physics, cosmology, geophysics, particle physics, space and planetary science, and more. As a faculty we are productive and active in our fields of expertise, producing publications and patents, giving conference and university seminars, editing journals, and mentoring students. We highly encourage student engagement in research, beginning in the undergraduate years. Join us in exploring the frontiers of science! Some current research project topics are: atmospheric acoustics; cosmology and particle physics; condensed matter physics; and, underwater acoustics. Please visit our research page to learn more.