The Williams SMALL REU Site

Williams College, Williamstown MA

Investigators

Abstract

At the Williams College "SMALL" REU site, for about nine weeks each summer, about 20 undergraduates (14 supported by the NSF site grant) work in groups of about three or four on original research with up to 6 faculty. Topics for 2004 include Computational Cartography, Ergodic Theory, Geometry/Minimal Surfaces, and Riemannian Geometry of Manifolds of Positive Curvature. The goal of the SMALL program is to introduce undergraduates to the excitement and challenge of doing original research in mathematics, while naturally learning lots of background. They come to understand that the ultimate goal of learning is not just to apply what is known, but to make creative advances which further our understanding of ourselves and our world. Our nation needs a wider appreciation and understanding of mathematics, and cannot afford to leave anyone out. We encourage applications from women, minorities, and other underrepresented groups. For more information see our website at http://www.williams.edu/Mathematics/small_CES.html