Mathematics

Research

Greg presenting

The Simpson Mathematics Department offers students the opportunity to participate in undergraduate research in many ways.  Much of the focus of our students' research is interdisciplinary in nature.  Our students have worked on research in game theory, graph theory, the mathematics of origami, dynamical systems, number theory, topology, regression analysis, algebra, functions and applications to biology. 

Many of our students who participate in undergraduate research wish to present their results in a public forum.  The mathematics department supports these students in many ways.  Most of these student choose to present their results at the Midwest Undergraduate Mathematics Symposium that is hosted by our department each spring.  Our department also provides financial support for students who wish to present at regional conferences.  The combination of participating in undergraduate research projects and presenting the results at conferences has proven to give our students a competitive edge when looking for jobs or applying to graduate school.

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

Student Publications:  Here are publications of our students' work.

Lingscheit, Michelle, Kiersten Ruff and Jeremy Ward, " L(d, j, s) Minimal and Surjective graph labeling", Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Undergraduate Math Journal, 10.1, 2009.

Clipperton, Jean, " L(d, 2, 1) Minimal and Surjective graph labeling", Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Undergraduate Math Journal, 9.2, 2008.

Basnet, Shikha, "Monopolist Strategies in a Durable Goods Market", Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Undergraduate Math Journal, 8.1, 2007.

Independent Research:  A student interested in working on an independent mathematics project can approach any of the members of the mathematics faculty.  For students in their first, second or third year, such a project would probably result in 1 hour of independent study credit.  The faculty member will help the student find a topic, will work with the student on a regular basis, and provide assistance for communicating the student's results to a larger audience.

Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs):  There are a wide variety of REUs available in the mathematical sciences.  These programs are typically 6-10 week summer experiences at other colleges, universities, and agencies, where students spend time working in small groups on mathematics research topics.  An REU can help a student gain valuable experience in mathematics beyond the standard undergraduate curriculum and can be life changing.  The programs often pay students a stipend and provide for housing and travel expenses, so it costs nothing to participate.  More information can be found on the National Science Foundation (NSF) website, but there are REUs and REU-type programs other than the ones offered through the NSF.

Senior Seminar:  All mathematics students are required to complete 3 credit hours of research in Math 385 - Senior Seminar.  The purpose of this course is to help the student develop analytical problem solving skills, learn to write for a mathematical audience, and to present to a general audience.  The topics are chosen by the faculty, often in consultation with the students. 

Here are the abstracts of the students' work since Spring 2006.  These abstracts can give you an idea of the variety of subjects you can study as part of a mathematics degree at Simpson College.  The mathematical areas of these projects include graph theory, game theory, topology, geometry, probability, differential equations, and complex analysis.  The subjects include DNA, diseases, sports, curves, economics, poverty, games, coding, finance, origami and others.

Spring 2009   Fall 2008   Spring 2008   Fall 2007   Fall 2006 and Spring 2007   Spring 2006

Math 398 - Research in Mathematics:  Students who want to continue their experience in Math 385 can do so in Math 398 - Research in Mathematics.  This 3-credit-hour course is an opportunity for those students who want to go beyond the work required in Math 385.  Students who pursue the Honors in Mathematics major must complete both Math 385 and Math 398.

Last Updated: 11/18/11