Summer Research Program
Research Program Information | 2012 Summer Research Program Information
Research Program Information
Please note: Only continuing mathematics majors and graduate students from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo are eligible for this research program. Students who graduate in June are not eligible. Students from other universities are not eligible for Cal Poly's program, but may be eligible for a National Science Foundation REU.
The Cal Poly Mathematics Department summer research program allows students and faculty members to work together on interesting mathematics research problems. Students should expect to work at least 25 hours per week for eight weeks. The work weeks will depend on faculty and student schedules. The projects may also require work during the following academic year in order to prepare for conferences or publication. Each student participant will receive a $2400 stipend for their work. Funding for the projects is subject to approval by the College-Based Fee committee. Due to uncertainty about the fee proposal and budget problems, there is a chance this program will have less funding than in previous summers. If you have the opportunity for another research project or internship and you are counting on the money, you should strongly consider taking the other position. It is also possible that the stipend will be reduced due to budget cuts.
To be selected for a summer research project, students should have excellent grades (A's and B's in mathematics courses, including upper division work) and interest in learning difficult mathematics that goes beyond the scope of undergraduate coursework. You will work closely on a mathematics research project with a faculty advisor for approximately eight weeks. Each faculty project leader will work with two to three students.
The projects are chosen by faculty members because they are current open research questions that are also accessible to undergraduate and beginning graduate students.
During the academic year following participation in the REU, each student will be expected to present their research project at a national or regional mathematics conference, in addition to the College of Science and Mathematics Research Fair.
To apply for the research program, you will be asked to send the following information to Dr. Linda Patton:
- A list of the upper-division courses you have taken, including grades.
- A short paragraph describing your favorite courses and other mathematical interests.
- Any topics on the list below in which you are interested. If you are only interested in working on certain mathematical topics, be sure to say so.
- Two professors we can consult as references (no letters needed).
- Any other students with whom you would like to work.
- Other REUs and internships to which you have applied that you would prefer. This does not hurt your chances of being selected - it just helps us plan finances.
Deadline for the Summer 2012 Research Program is Friday, April 20.
2012 Summer Research Program
The advisors for the summer 2012 research projects will be announced later (after the applications from students are collected). Some possible topics include (1) algebraic geometry (for which Math 408, Math 481, Math 482 are required); (2) Linear algebra/operator theory (for which Math 306 -406 are required and Math 408-409 and/or Math 412-413 are desirable); (3) Differential Geometry (for which Math 304-404 are required); and (4) mathematical modeling and data analysis (required background varied).