UC Irvine Anteaters Mathematics ClubJanuary 27th, 2010

Campus research opportunities Off campus summer research opportunities Semester programs: domestic and abroad

How to find faculty mentors at UCI How to apply for external programs

Panel of UCI math students with undergraduate research experience

UROP and SURP http://www.urop.uci.edu/ UROP every Fall and Spring, SURP every Summer Submit proposal for specific research project under faculty

supervision and support

199 Course credit for reading course or research work Register with particular faculty member

Faculty Grants Some faculty occasionally have personal grants to support

undergraduate student research

ICAMP – Interdisciplinary Computational Applied Math Program

Starts Fall 2010 For Freshman and Sophomores only Register for Math / ICS 77 any quarter

www.maa.org/students/undergrad/ www.ams.org/employment/undergrad.html http://www.ams.org/employment/reu.html

Approx. 4 week programs focused on a single research topic under faculty guidance with small group of great students

There exist some programs only for learning and preparation for graduate school

Most pay travel, room and board plus a student stipend.

Budapest Semesters in Mathematics Math in Moscow MASS at Penn State Junior Year for Women at Smith College

Look at faculty research interests Take appropriate courses first Go to Undergrad Colloquium talks Read math outside of class Identify your area of research interests Write letter/email to faculty

Describe yourself- grades, coursework, goals, etc. Show you know something about their research area Explain what extent of research you desire Show your motivation, work ethic, independence,

etc. For reading courses, explain why you are interested

in that topic and how it will fit with your future goals Remember you are asking for a giant favor

Carefully look at program descriptions Follow all application instructions Ask for letters of recommendation at least

two weeks in advance Write personal statement

Tailor it to the particular program Explain your interest in topic and preparation for it Emphasize your unique math experiences Deadlines around mid-February

Most research opportunities are highly competitive and intended for the advanced math student going to graduate school

Appropriate preparation is essential for a successful research experience

Summer REU’s are mostly for students finishing their junior year (maybe sophomore)

Math 199 course is mainly for seniors in honor’s program or considering grad school

Some faculty just don’t work with undergrads, don’t take it personally!