UC Irvine Anteaters Mathematics Club
January 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
[Link]
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
[Link]/students/undergrad/
[Link]/employment/[Link]
[Link]
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!