Program at a glance
On this page you will find information about the Undergraduate Research Program called EXTREEMS-QED (Expeditions in Training, Research, and Education for Mathematics and Statistics through Quantitative Explorations of Data) organized by the Department of Mathematical Sciences of George Mason University and funded by the National Science Foundation. The main objective of this project is to promote and enhance undergraduate research experience at George Mason University (GMU) with the goal of preparing broadly trained computational mathematicians by immersing them in significant applied research projects. The program is most suitable for students currently in their 2nd or 3rd year of academic studies, but other candidates will also be given consideration. For details on the program and expectations, see Program information.
For the list of faculty mentors, see Faculty mentors.
For the list of relevant courses and other activities, see Program activities.
If you are interested in applying to the program, read the information given below. If you are unsure whether you are eligible, please contact Maria Emelianenko at memelian AT gmu DOT edu.
2018 program will start on May 21, 2018.
In order to apply, you will need to supply the following documents by the deadline of November 17, 2017:
A copy of the academic transcript
A list of relevant courses taken
Statement of interest indicating why you are interested in this opportunity
You should forward these materials either to one of the involved faculty mentors, or the program Director by the date specified above to receive full consideration. Decisions will be made shortly after the deadline.
Please note that according to NSF and GMU regulations, funded participants are NOT allowed to be employed by GMU. In particular, those students who are interested in participating in the program starting in Summer 2018 should not make plans to take any GMU-based jobs in Spring or Summer of 2018.
Applicants should (but are NOT REQUIRED to) have:
Knowledge of at least one scientific computer language, such as Python, Java, C++, FORTRAN, etc., at the CS 112 level or higher.
Experience with at least one high-level application language, such as Matlab (or Octave), Maple, IDL, etc.
Courses in computational and applied mathematics. The sequences Math 446-447 and Math 413-414 in computational and applied mathematics are especially applicable, although not required in order to be considered for the program. Background in ordinary and/or partial differential equations and discrete mathematics is a plus, as are any other courses that develop computational mathematics.
Courses in related disciplines. Statistics, operations research, physics, chemistry, biology, computer science or engineering.
Strong grades in mathematics courses and strong interest in undergraduate research.
Students funded through the NSF program must be mathematics majors at George Mason University and either a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident. The NSF stipend is $6000 during the Summer of 2018. Students will have an option to serve as Learning Assistants in the GMU STEM Accelerator during the academic year, which will carry additional stipend.
Students who do not meet the citizenship or major requirements may still apply to be matched with a mentor to do undergraduate research.