My Summer at the Grand Valley My Summer at the Grand Valley State Mathematics REU State Mathematics REU

ProgramProgram

Presented by Presented by Rusty FromRusty From

9/19/059/19/05

Rusty From at the GVSU Pew Grand Rapids Campus Rusty From at the GVSU Pew Grand Rapids Campus for the 2005 Michigan REU Conference for the 2005 Michigan REU Conference

GVSU REUGVSU REU““Imagine spending a Imagine spending a summer in a beautiful, summer in a beautiful, quiet, rural setting in quiet, rural setting in which the days are mild, which the days are mild, it stays light until well it stays light until well after 10 p.m., and where after 10 p.m., and where you are 15 minutes from you are 15 minutes from a major metropolitan a major metropolitan center (Grand Rapids, center (Grand Rapids, MI) and also only 20 MI) and also only 20 minutes from gorgeous minutes from gorgeous Lake Michigan beaches. Lake Michigan beaches. Now imagine that, in this Now imagine that, in this fantastic place, you get to fantastic place, you get to spend your time engaged spend your time engaged in honest mathematical in honest mathematical research.” research.”

Quote provided by: Quote provided by: http://www.gvsu.edu/mathreu/http://www.gvsu.edu/mathreu/

A cloudy day at Saugatuck Dunes State ParkA cloudy day at Saugatuck Dunes State Park

What is an REU?What is an REU?

RResearch esearch EExperience for xperience for UUndergraduatesndergraduates

– 6-9 weeks during 6-9 weeks during the summerthe summer

– Programs offered Programs offered in all the Natural in all the Natural Sciences, Math Sciences, Math and CSand CS

– 30+ programs 30+ programs nationwide in nationwide in mathematicsmathematics

– 8 to 20 participants 8 to 20 participants at each programat each program

The 2005 Grand Valley State University REU The 2005 Grand Valley State University REU group at the Michigan REU Conferencegroup at the Michigan REU Conference

Responsibilities of REU fellowsResponsibilities of REU fellows

Conduct original research into an open-Conduct original research into an open-ended, relevant topic in mathematics with ended, relevant topic in mathematics with the intent of: the intent of: – Developing a technical report chronicling Developing a technical report chronicling

results and findingsresults and findings– Presenting research at least twice in front of Presenting research at least twice in front of

professionals at math conferencesprofessionals at math conferences– Developing an article suitable for publication Developing an article suitable for publication

in an undergraduate journalin an undergraduate journal

Things to Expect Things to Expect

Develop a better Develop a better understanding of understanding of mathematics researchmathematics researchLearn a lot of new Learn a lot of new mathematicsmathematicsDiscover something newDiscover something newLearn about grad school Learn about grad school opportunitiesopportunitiesGrow as a mathematicianGrow as a mathematicianA rewarding experienceA rewarding experienceHave FunHave Fun

Rusty running up a sand dune Rusty running up a sand dune at Saugatuck State Park at Saugatuck State Park

Other Other BenefitsBenefits

FinancialFinancial– Stipend ($2200-$3000, plus travel expenses)Stipend ($2200-$3000, plus travel expenses)– Free room and boardFree room and board

Helps prepare you for graduate school or Helps prepare you for graduate school or professional lifeprofessional life

Meet new Meet new friendsfriends

Opportunities Opportunities to travelto travel

Honors ProjectHonors ProjectDr. Paul Fishback makes a new friend at the John Ball Dr. Paul Fishback makes a new friend at the John Ball Zoo in Grand RapidsZoo in Grand Rapids

A Typical Week at the GVSU REUA Typical Week at the GVSU REU

Friday Friday – Guest Lecture Guest Lecture

followed by lunchfollowed by lunch– Weekly report dueWeekly report due

About 6 hours of About 6 hours of research each day research each day followed by about 2 followed by about 2 hours with faculty hours with faculty supervisorsupervisor

My Research Team: Samuel Kolins (Bowdoin College) & My Research Team: Samuel Kolins (Bowdoin College) & Dr. Matt Boelkins (GVSU) Dr. Matt Boelkins (GVSU)

Monday – Breakfast and Entertainment provided by Monday – Breakfast and Entertainment provided by a faculty member a faculty member

Tuesday and Thursday – Group Presentation (30 min)Tuesday and Thursday – Group Presentation (30 min)Wednesday – Group FunWednesday – Group Fun

Group Fun and Special EventsGroup Fun and Special Events

Dr. Paul Fishback “emu”-lating the animals at the John Dr. Paul Fishback “emu”-lating the animals at the John Ball ZooBall Zoo

Group Fun in the rain at Strikers Mini-GolfGroup Fun in the rain at Strikers Mini-GolfLunch with U. of Michigan Grad StudentsLunch with U. of Michigan Grad Students

Group Fun at a Michigan Whitecaps baseball gameGroup Fun at a Michigan Whitecaps baseball game

Interested?Interested?

Talk to your adviser Talk to your adviser (or e-mail me at fromj1@central.edu)(or e-mail me at fromj1@central.edu)

Go to the NSF-REU website to look for Go to the NSF-REU website to look for programsprograms

http://http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/list_result.cfm?unitidwww.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/list_result.cfm?unitid=5044=5044

Things to look for in an REU-siteThings to look for in an REU-siteFaculty - Faculty - Do they seem friendly and interested in working with students?Do they seem friendly and interested in working with students?

Topic of Research - Topic of Research - Are they in fields of math that interest you?Are they in fields of math that interest you?

History - History - Is this a well established program?Is this a well established program?

Grant - Grant - Has their grant been renewed?Has their grant been renewed?

Past Participants - Past Participants - What schools are they from? Did they report What schools are they from? Did they report having a good experience? having a good experience?

How to ApplyHow to Apply

Apply to 5 or more sites that you Apply to 5 or more sites that you think you would enjoy and also suit think you would enjoy and also suit your interests and abilitiesyour interests and abilitiesThings you’ll needThings you’ll need– Statement of Interest (very important)Statement of Interest (very important)

Show them you are down-to-earth and Show them you are down-to-earth and they would enjoy working with youthey would enjoy working with you

– Two letters of recommendationTwo letters of recommendationFrom math faculty membersFrom math faculty members

– Unofficial copy of your transcriptUnofficial copy of your transcriptAvailable through the registrar’s officeAvailable through the registrar’s office

– On-line applicationOn-line application

Application due dates range from Application due dates range from the end of January to the middle of the end of January to the middle of MarchMarch

South Haven City BeachSouth Haven City Beach

da Vinci’s Horse at the Fredrik Meijer Sculpture Gardens da Vinci’s Horse at the Fredrik Meijer Sculpture Gardens