Undergraduate Research: Jessica Lin and Karol Koziol

Intro Specific Programs Our Experiences El Fin
Undergraduate Research
Jessica Lin and Karol Koziol
January 21st , 2009

Outline
General overview of undergrad research

Program Specifics:
REU
SURE
Summer Schools/Expository Programs
Our Personal Experiences

General Overview
Many institutions provide undergrads with the opportunity to

conduct research in serious (but fun!) areas of mathematics.

General Overview

Programs center on a wide variety of topics, so you can find one
that suits your particular interests. In most cases, previous research
experience is not expected, and background knowledge in the
specific topic is picked up as you go.

General Overview

Programs center on a wide variety of topics, so you can find one
that suits your particular interests. In most cases, previous research
experience is not expected, and background knowledge in the
specific topic is picked up as you go. Regardless of which program
you choose to participate in, it will give you great experience, and
give you an idea of what research is like. In addition, you will learn
A TON of math.

Programs
REUs

REUs
REU - Research Experience for Undergraduates
Funded by National Science Foundation (NSF)

Sites located all over the United States
Not just in math - physics, biology, compsci, etc.
Meant to encourage research in a friendly setting
Fantastic opportunity to study in a different academic setting,
and learn from different professors and peers.

Many topics center around more “discrete” topics: graph theory,

knot theory, combinatorics, and algebra. These topics require less
background, and can be picked up fairly quickly. There are also
REUs in PDEs, differential geometry, ergodic theory, etc.

Many topics center around more “discrete” topics: graph theory,

knot theory, combinatorics, and algebra. These topics require less
background, and can be picked up fairly quickly. There are also
REUs in PDEs, differential geometry, ergodic theory, etc. Most
sites admit 10 to 20 students, and divide them into groups of 4 to
5 based on interest. The groups work closely on the topic their
advisor has chosen. Some projects have been ongoing for several
years, and some are new.

Requirements
Requirements:
2 letters of recommendation
Personal Statement
Transcript
No specific course requirements, but the more, the better
Most of those admitted are rising seniors (and some rising
juniors, but this is not a blanket statement!)
Deadlines are quickly approaching!!! (most are due
February/March)

WARNING: ABOUT REUS
In this present day, most people look favorably upon students who
partcipate in REUs. However, there has been a tradition in the
past that some graduate schools claim they do not think REUs are
worthwhile. You must understand the following:
Not all REUs are doing original research. Many REUs study
more expository projects, which is great, but this is not the
same as being a research scientist.
Many times we do research that is not always successful. DO
NOT WORRY! It is very hard to do meaningful research at
the undergraduate level, so don’t be discouraged if your work
does not result in publications or anything. This is just for
your experience.

Programs
SURE

SURE
SURE is the summer research program funded by the NYU Math

Department.
Program Description:
Pays for roughly 8 weeks of work.
You and a faculty member at NYU decide upon a project to
work on.
At the end of the summer, you write a report of your work
(samples of these are available online through the math
department website)
In the Fall, you give a 10 minute presentation on your summer
work open to all of Courant.

How to Apply for SURE
It’s Easy!!
You will need:
Faculty Advisor (this is not absolutely required, but to be
honest, you probably will not get accepted unless you have a
faculty member agreeing to work with you)
Fill out a form (takes 5 minutes) with your courses and
grades. (These will be available in March!)
THAT’S IT!!

How is SURE different from an REU??
Participating in either SURE or REU counts as your thesis

requirement for honors students*
It is possible to work other jobs as well as doing research in
SURE. (i.e. Tutoring and Grading)
Projects in SURE can begin/continue into the school year as
Independent Studies, which can count for credit.
Participating in SURE gives you the opportunity to get closer
to a faculty member here!

Programs
Summer Schools/Expository Programs

Just for Girls!

There are several summer schools that are only open to women.
These include:
Princeton/IAS: Women and Mathematics–A 2 week
(supported) summer school at Princeton University (in early
June). This year’s topic is GEOMETRIC PDE
George Washington University: Summer Program for Women
in Mathematics–A 5-week (supported) summer school. MUST
BE A CURRENT JUNIOR (or have junior standing). You get
PAID to go!! (End of June to Early August)
Carleton College: Summer Mathematics Program for
Women–A 4-week (supported) summer school. MUST BE A
CURRENT FRESHMAN OR SOPHOMORE, and have taken
linear algebra in the past year. You get PAID to go! (End of
June to End of July)
Summer Program in Princeton
Spend 3 weeks at Princeton studying like a graduate student!

Designed for current juniors, seniors, and first year graduate
students.
Typical topics include special topics in analysis and geometry,
although they have not been announced yet for 2009.
Fully supported, but no stipend.

Park City
Study number theory at Park City Mathematics Institute

Located in lovely Utah
Focus on elliptic curves, modular forms, L-functions (number
theory-ish things)
Funding available
Deadline: January 28th

CUNY/Columbia/NYU
Research in number theory at CUNY Graduate Center

In NYC
Focus on algebraic number theory and analytic number theory
Prereqs: Algebra I and Complex Analysis (respectively)
Stipend available
Deadline: March 15th

Pros and Cons of Research
Pros
1 Get really good at LATEX
2 Learn a lot of math
3 Meet some great people
4 Chance to travel (Mathfest, JMM)
5 YOU GET PAID!!

Pros and Cons of Research
Pros
1 Get really good at LATEX
2 Learn a lot of math
3 Meet some great people
4 Chance to travel (Mathfest, JMM)
5 YOU GET PAID!!
Cons
1 None.

Our Experiences
Our Experiences

NYU SURE
Jessica’s Summer: 2007
Topic: A Theory of Induced Dynamics for Infinite-Dimensional

Dynamical Systems
Advisor: William Ott (NOTE: Will was a postdoc at the time,
and it is absolutely fine, if not better, to have a postdoc for
an advisor.)
Met with advisor several times a week, worked independently.
Worked for about 3 months, although was only paid for 2.
Simultaneously worked as a tutor for the math department.
Received DURF grant for additional stipend, expenses for
books, and travel to conference.
Attended Mathfest 2007, Winner of SIAM Award for
Outstanding Talk in Applied Math
NSF SMALL Program at Williams College
Jessica’s REU, Summer 2008
Located at Williams College, in Williamstown, MA, deep in

the Berkshires.
Lasted 9 weeks.
24 students: 6 groups: Algebraic Number Theory, Geometry,
Discrete Geometry, Hyperbolic Geometry, Knot Theory,
Ergodic Theory
Topic: Measurable Time-Restricted Sensitivity
Weekly Colloquia, daily meetings with advisor and group,
daily athletic and social events (tea, outings, girls lunch, etc.),
Mathfest 2008.
Convocation

Ergodic Theorists!

Summer Home

July 4th Cookout/Pool Party

REU at SUNY Potsdam
Karol’s REU
In Potsdam, NY - 1 hour south of Canadian border, beautiful

scenery
Lasted 8/9 weeks
13 people in 4 groups - Algebra, Knot Theory, Graph Theory,
Algebraic Geometry
Topic: “Decompositions of Various Compact Riemannian
Symmetric Spaces”
Weekly Colloquia, lunches with advisor, cookouts, Mathfest

My Research Group

Everyone

Camping

Montreal

More Montreal

Ottawa

Hiking

Mathfest

Questions?


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Intro Specific Programs Our Experiences El Fin

Jessica Lin and Karol Koziol

January 21st , 2009

Jessica Lin and Karol Koziol

General overview of undergrad research

Jessica Lin and Karol Koziol

Many institutions provide undergrads with the opportunity to

Jessica Lin and Karol Koziol

Many institutions provide undergrads with the opportunity to

Jessica Lin and Karol Koziol

Many institutions provide undergrads with the opportunity to

Jessica Lin and Karol Koziol

Jessica Lin and Karol Koziol

REU - Research Experience for Undergraduates

Funded by National Science Foundation (NSF)

Jessica Lin and Karol Koziol

Many topics center around more “discrete” topics: graph theory,

Jessica Lin and Karol Koziol

Many topics center around more “discrete” topics: graph theory,

Jessica Lin and Karol Koziol

Jessica Lin and Karol Koziol

WARNING: ABOUT REUS

Jessica Lin and Karol Koziol

Jessica Lin and Karol Koziol

SURE is the summer research program funded by the NYU Math

Jessica Lin and Karol Koziol

How to Apply for SURE

Jessica Lin and Karol Koziol

How is SURE different from an REU??

Participating in either SURE or REU counts as your thesis

Jessica Lin and Karol Koziol

Summer Schools/Expository Programs

Jessica Lin and Karol Koziol

Just for Girls!

Summer Program in Princeton

Spend 3 weeks at Princeton studying like a graduate student!

Jessica Lin and Karol Koziol

Study number theory at Park City Mathematics Institute

Jessica Lin and Karol Koziol

Research in number theory at CUNY Graduate Center

Jessica Lin and Karol Koziol

Pros and Cons of Research

Jessica Lin and Karol Koziol

Pros and Cons of Research

Jessica Lin and Karol Koziol

Jessica Lin and Karol Koziol

Jessica’s Summer: 2007

Topic: A Theory of Induced Dynamics for Infinite-Dimensional

NSF SMALL Program at Williams College

Jessica’s REU, Summer 2008

Located at Williams College, in Williamstown, MA, deep in

Jessica Lin and Karol Koziol

Jessica Lin and Karol Koziol

Jessica Lin and Karol Koziol

July 4th Cookout/Pool Party

Jessica Lin and Karol Koziol

REU at SUNY Potsdam

In Potsdam, NY - 1 hour south of Canadian border, beautiful

Jessica Lin and Karol Koziol

Jessica Lin and Karol Koziol

Jessica Lin and Karol Koziol

Jessica Lin and Karol Koziol