UC Irvine Anteaters Mathematics Club January 27 th, 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   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

    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/ 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!