"EMSW21-MCTP" The University of Tennessee Math Honors Program

University Of Tennessee Knoxville, Knoxville TN

Investigators

Abstract

A departmental honors program at a moderately selective public research university can play a significant role in the mathematics education of talented American students. Such universities cast a wide net. Large merit awards draw a few students with sterling high school records while thousands arrive each year having, for whatever reason, not amassed the high SAT/ACT scores and leadership roles needed to gain admission to highly selective institutions. Sifting through the latter group reveals a small but significant number with latent high mathematical talent. These 'sleeper' students come to life during their first exposure to abstract math, and their work in advanced courses can match or exceed that of their peers who excelled in high school. A strong departmental honors program can be the framework that identifies and supports this diverse group, drawing on the department's graduate and research resources as it guides them as rapidly as possible through the transition to advanced abstract and applied mathematics. The University of Tennessee Math Honors Program provides early identification of talent, a flexible curriculum that places undergraduates in graduate courses as early as the sophomore year, an honors seminar, and significant mentoring and advising. The program draws on the surrounding rural Appalachian region, providing opportunity to students who may have received little support and stimulation in high school for their mathematical abilities. More than 75% of the grant is devoted to direct financial support to students in the form of merit and need-based scholarships, research stipends and summer tuition remission. Scholarships will be awarded to a few incoming freshmen, but mainly to current UT students who decide to follow an accelerated track through the honors program. University cost sharing of close to 10% of the grant total will allow the program to offer multi-year scholarships extending beyond the five-year term of the grant. Additional funding supports graduate students as summer research mentors for undergraduates, administration and assessment of the program. A 'math ambassadors' program funded by the grant will send honors students to high schools to increase interest in mathematics in general and the UT Math Honors program in particular. The funding is expected increase the size of the UT Math Honors program by more than 50%.