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College of Sciences
Department of Mathematics

2016 Research Experience for Underrepresented Undergraduates (REU+)

This program is aimed at underrepresented students and is organized in collaboration with Albany State University, Benedict College, Clark Atlanta University, Howard University, Morehouse College and Spelman College.

Program Director: Loek Helminck
Co-Director:Negash Medhin
Co-organizers:
N. Begashaw (Benedict College)
Sylvia Bozeman (Spelman College)
Zephyrinus Okonkwo (Albany State University)
Charles Pierre (Clark Atlanta University)
M. Sambandham (Morehouse College)
Abdul-Aziz Yakubu (Howard University)

The application is available online at mathprograms.org

The REU program for most undergraduate students has different web page.

Stipend and support: $5,000 for 11 weeks. Housing and a partial meal allowance provided. Travel funds up to $300 per participant provided as needed.

Overview and Objectives

Overview: This 11-week program engages students in applied mathematics research projects. It is designed for African American, Hispanic, and Native American students who are traditionally under-represented in the mathematical sciences. The REU+ program starts one week before our regular REU program and provides additional mentoring and preparation for the participants.

During this first week students will participate in a short intensive training in differential equations, modeling and dynamical systems accompanied by problem sessions and as well as some training in Matlab and probability theory. This initial program will be organized by Professor Negash Medhin. The second week (and thereafter) REU+ students will merge into the regular REU program. The second week is the REU/REU+ Undergraduate Modeling Workshop run especially for the REU program.

For most of the summer REU+ students will be indistinguishable from, and intermingled with, all other REU students. Teams of students from the REU, REU+, and REG programs will spend their time working on a specific research project.

Program Objectives: This REU+ program will provide a summer research experience for traditionally under-represented undergraduates who may benefit from additional mentoring and preparation before beginning independent research. To accomplish this, the REU+ students will participate in a preliminary week of workshops to prepare them for the research projects. The program will give undergraduate students an opportunity to work on challenging and exciting “real-world” problems arising in industrial and government laboratory research. Students will work in teams and develop valuable techniques of applied mathematics. Additionally there will be opportunities to work on oral and written communication of mathematical ideas, learn about graduate schools and attend a conference.

Female, minority and physically disabled students are encouraged to apply.

Participant Background, Requirements and Selection

Participants are expected to meet the following criteria:

  • Citizen or permanent resident of the United States or its possessions
  • Full-time undergraduate mathematics major as of September 2014
  • Committed to devote their full time to the program and not engage in any other course work or employment during the program

Participants will be selected on the basis of demonstrated mathematical creativity, motivation, and good work habits as well as meeting the above requirements, as determined from the application materials and recommendation letters.

Calendar

Week 0: Enhanced training and problem sessions run by Professor Negash Medhin and faculty mentors.

Week 1: REU Workshop on modeling. Reception with REU students and faculty.

Week 2: Introduction to projects and mentors. Project teams are determined and begin to work on projects.

Weeks 3–9: Work on projects. Progress reports are due each Friday. Every other week there will be presentations given by each group. In addition there will be a writing workshop and seminars on:

  • mathematics related to the student projects
  • research ethics
  • applying to graduate school
  • how to give poster presentations
  • how to give research talks

Extra-curricular activities may include weekly teas, organized game and movie nights, a trip to see the AAA Durham Bulls play a baseball game, as well as an excursion to the beach. The North Carolina beaches and North Carolina mountains are within two to four hours drive from Raleigh.

Week 10: Students complete their final reports and do poster presentations of their work.

Notification Policy

All applicants will be notified by email about the completeness of their application a couple of days after the deadline date. Unless previously notified, a final notification that the search is closed will be emailed after all positions have been filled and confirmed (this could take a month).  If you have any questions about the status of your application, especially if you are trying to make a decision on accepting another summer position, please email the program director who will be happy to send you a prompt response.