REU at Kent State University

Applications and Ramifications of Linear Algebra

June 8 - July 31, 2009




Mailing address

REU program
Jenya Soprunova
Dept. of Math Sciences
Kent State University
Math & CS Building
Summit Street, Kent OH 44242

Contact

Jenya Soprunova
soprunova [at] math.kent.edu
TEL: (330)672-9086
FAX: (330) 672-2209
The Department of Mathematical Sciences at Kent State University will run an NSF-funded REU program from June 8 through July 31, 2009. The purpose of the program is to give talented and motivated undergraduates an actual research experience in the nurturing atmosphere of our department. The students will work on projects arising naturally in our faculty's research. The emphasis of the program is on independent work under close supervision of the project advisor. The general theme of our program is Applications and Ramifications of Linear Algebra. Only limited background is needed for understanding some interesting research problems formulated in the language of matrices. This will allow the students to get right to work, extending their knowledge of the subject while doing actual research. Projects in linear algebra also allow for a lot of investigation either by hand or with the help of a computer. Linear algebra is a common thread in the work of many of our faculty members working in widely varying fields. The projects that we will suggest to the students are all related to linear algebra but their motivations come from the fields of scientific computing, ring theory, Lie algebra, algebraic geometry, number theory, and operator theory.

Selection Criteria

For our Summer 2009 program we will select 8 participants based on the student's completed course work and grades, the list of courses that the student is going to take in the spring semester, a letter of recommendation from a faculty member familiar with the student's work, and a personal statement. We expect that our students will have completed a calculus sequence, a linear algebra course, and at least one advanced upper-division mathematics course (e.g. abstract algebra). We will try to choose the students who are likely to be successful working on an independent research project and who will benefit the most from the experience. We will not discriminate on the base of gender, race, or religion. Applications from members of groups underrepresented in the sciences as well as from students whose institutions do not have research programs for undergraduates will be welcome.

Eligibility

To be eligible for enrollment you must
  • be a US citizen or a permanent resident
  • be an undergraduate student prior to the program start
  • not graduate by September 2009

    • Stipend, Room, and Travel

    The students will receive $3,600 toward stipend and expenses. We will provide free on-campus housing, some meals, and will pay up to $350 for the airplane ticket.