Emerging Scholars Program - Research Experience for Undergraduates

(ESP-REU)

June 10 - July 21, 2012

(The application Deadline has passed! We will be sending out initial invitations around April 1st.)

 

We are seeking bright, eager rising sophomores and juniors who have completed at least two semesters of Calculus - but have not taken any upper-level mathematics courses (i.e. Analysis, Algebra, Topology, etc.) to join us at SMCM for a six week research experience in mathematics!

 

[Hey Math Profs - if you have students who might be interested, print out our brochure and give them a copy!]

 

ESP-REU Highlights:

study with expert mathematicians collaborate with other students interested in math work on unsolved problems prove new theorems enjoy SMCM’s idyllic setting on the shores of the St. Mary’s River take weekend trips to Washington, DC and Baltimore

  

 

 

 

Research Topics:

The 12 REU participants will each join one of the three research teams, looking into a mathematical question that nobody knows the answer to!

Imaging (with Dr. Emek Köse) - With a convex mirror, one can achieve a wide field of vision, at the expense of considerable distortion. Just like in a fun house mirror or Escher’s “Hand with Reflecting Sphere”! Would the converse be true? Given the distortion, can we always find the corresponding reflective surface? This is one of the main problems of imaging. This summer, we will work on the problem of designing a mirror surfaces for various applications, including: panoramic view, wide-field of view with no distortions and stereo-vision.
	Graph Theory (with Drs. Lindsay & Alan Jamieson) - You can dominate a graph with a set of vertices if every vertex in the graph is at most one edge away from a vertex in your set. How can you determine the smallest dominating set? What algorithms might help you arrive at an answer? How do you know these algorithms will stabilize, giving you an answer? Self-stabilizing algorithms for the domination problem and other related graph theoretic properties provide fertile ground for a summer research project.
Discrete Optimization (with Dr. Casey Douglas) - History has it that Queen Dido solved a classical and important geometric problem when she was tasked with enclosing as much land as possible using only thin strips of an ox's hide.  Modern (and more animal-friendly) versions of this question motivate current research questions, including ours: using various sized lego (tm) bricks, how much area can we enclose?  The converse to this question and various generalizations -- including a "lego double bubble" problem in the plane -- will also be considered.

 

Stipend:

Participants will receive a $3500 stipend for participation in the ESP-REU, in addition to room and board for the six weeks. Some funds to cover travel expenses will be available.

Applicant Requirements:

• success in Calculus I & II
• no experience in upper-level mathematics courses (e.g. Analysis, Algebra, or Topology)
• full-time undergraduate in 2011-’12
• US citizen or permanent resident (this is an inflexible NSF requirement)
• students from groups who are under-represented in mathematics are particularly encouraged to apply
• alums of Treisman-style workshops (called Emerging Scholars Programs, Merit Scholars, Professional Development Programs, Math Excel, etc.) are particularly encouraged to apply

Application Instructions:

To apply to this year's ESP-REU program, please do the following by March 1:

• be sure you qualify for our program (see above). Please note that this includes
  
  • no upper-level coursework in mathematics (e.g. Analysis, Algebra or Topology)
  • US Citizen or Permanent Resident
• write a one-page essay (up to 500 words) that addresses why you enjoy mathematics. Include any additional information you deem relevant to your REU application. Obtain an electronic copy of your transcript (an official one will be required if you are accepted into the program.) Email the essay & transcript to Dave at dtkung@smcm.edu with the subject line "REU Essay".
• solicit two professors/TAs/mentors to write letters on your behalf and have their email addresses handy when you ....
• fill out the online ESP-REU application
• have the two professors/TAs/mentors email their letters to Dave at dtkung@smcm.edu with the subject line "REU letter for [your first & last name]"