Mathematics

Dr. Albert H. & Greta A. Bryan Summer Research Program

Program Description :  The Dr. Albert H. & Greta A. Bryan Summer Research Program in Mathematics at Simpson College is an opportunity to spend eight weeks of the summer doing undergraduate research in mathematics.  Each summer around six students are selected to work on research projects with Simpson College faculty members.  Each student receives a stipend of $2500 and paid on-campus housing during the program.  In addition, the students and professors attend a mathematics conference; for example, MathFest in Madison, Wisconsin, in August 2008, and the Joint Mathematics Meetings in San Francisco, California, in January 2010.  The program also pays for various social activities during the summer.

2012 Dates:  Monday, June 11 - Sunday, August 5, 2012.

2012 Faculty Advisors and Research Topics:  This summer, Heidi Berger will lead a project on mathematical biology and Murphy Waggoner will lead a project on number theory.  Click on each topic for an overview of the research project.  The two research groups will give talks at MathFest in Madison, WI, August 3-5, 2012.

Past Faculty Advisors and Research Topics:  The topics in 2011 included a project in graph theory on Ramsey numbers (Dr. Deb Czarneski) and a project on coloring knots (Dr. Bill Schellhorn).  The topics in 2010 included using mathematics to model the evolution of cooperation in the face of competition (Dr. Rick Spellerberg) and using time scale calculus to model insect populations (Dr. Heidi Berger).  The topics in 2009 included using time scales in differential equations to model the spread of the emerald ash borer (Dr. Heidi Berger) and an application of knot theory in the study of DNA (Dr. Bill Schellhorn).  The topics in 2008 included graph labeling (Dr. Deb Czarneski) and auction theory (Dr. Rick Spellerberg).  Click on each topic for an overview of the research project. 

Requirements:  To apply for the program, a student must satisfy the following requirements.
1. Complete Calculus II by the start of the summer.
2. Graduate from Simpson College in May 2014 or after May 2014.
3. Declared a major or minor in mathematics, although preference will be given to majors.
4. Commit at least forty hours each week to the program. A participant may take a class or have a part-time job if approved by his or her faculty advisor.
5. Participate in all required program activities, including presenting your research at the conference.

Application Process:  Applicants must submit a mathematical resume and a personal statement by 2pm on March 14, 2012, to Dr. Heidi Berger in Carver 332.  A description of the information that should be included in each of these documents appears below.  The Mathematics Department will meet to review the applications and applicants will be notified as soon as selections are made.

Mathematical Resume:  Your mathematical resume should contain the following information.
1. Overall GPA and your GPA in the Mathematics major. This information can be found on your degree audit.
2. All declared majors and minors.
3. List of the mathematics courses you have completed.
4. All participation in Mathematics Department activities.
5. Participation in other relevant activities since arriving at Simpson College.
6. The name and office phone number of one Simpson College faculty member who is not in the Mathematics Department to serve as a reference.

Personal Statement:  Your personal statement should contain the following information and should be no longer than two pages.
1. Why should you be selected to participate in this program?  How would you benefit from participation in the program?
2. What special skills would you bring to the program?
3. What are your goals for the summer?  What are your career goals and/or graduate school goals?
4. Specify which project is most appealing to you.

Last Updated: 2/28/12