CSUMS: Undergraduate Research Experiences for Computational Math Sciences Majors at ASU

Arizona State University, Scottsdale AZ

Investigators

Abstract

Kostelich 0703587 The goal of this CSUMS project is to build a diverse group of undergraduate students in the computational mathematical sciences program at Arizona State University, each of whom participates in cutting-edge research projects during the last two years of their undergraduate programs. At any given time, two cohorts of 11 students each participate: they begin the program at the start of their junior year and complete it at the end of their senior year (i.e., after 4 semesters). Incoming students, whose expected preparation includes multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and ordinary differential equations, participate in a 1-credit seminar course for two semesters to prepare them for the upcoming summer's projects. Summer projects consist of 8 to 10 weeks of full-time work on a research project under the supervision of an experienced faculty mentor. Students who have completed their projects give practice talks in the seminar and are expected to present their work at appropriate professional conferences as well as to write an honors thesis or research paper. Student research projects involve timely problems in atmospheric sciences, including weather and climate forecasting; supply-chain modeling; mathematical techniques for improved medical imaging (e.g., magnetic resonance imaging); and mathematical biology (e.g., models for human cellular processes). The students, who must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, have an opportunity to work on massively parallel (2000+ processor) machines through ASU's Fulton High Performance Computing Initiative and to do high-performance graphics at ASU's Decision Theater. These experiences prepare students for advanced work in climate dynamics, drug discovery, aerospace design, and similar topics at top graduate schools across the United States. Special efforts are made to recruit students who are first-generation college students, women, and members of other underrepresented groups in the mathematical sciences. The project is supported by the MPS Division of Mathematical Sciences, the MPS Office of Multidisciplinary Activities, and the EHR Division of Undergraduate Education.