Students who are accepted into the program are expected to fulfill the following tentative schedule. Please bear in mind that due to significant differences in the research projects offered by the program the decision regarding the timeline for taking specific courses and the number of years students are engaged in program activities will be made on an individual basis. We encourage all interested students to contact one of the involved faculty mentors or the program Director to discuss possible options.
Sample timeline would look as follows:
SUMMER Year 1
Meet with research mentor to assess student skills and recommend other preparatory work for the summer. Learn project area as recommended by mentor, including previous and ongoing research.
Begin research activities.
Student effort: Approx. 20 hrs./week
FALL Year 1
Continue research.
Enroll in Math 478: Introduction to Numerical PDE course for 3 credits.
Enroll in Math 495: Undergraduate Research Seminar for 1 credit. The seminar will meet weekly to provide each participant an opportunity to describe his or her research to other participants. Besides improving oral communication skills, there will be outside speakers and special meetings on computational issues, software for giving talks and mathematical word processing, web design, and other issues as needed.
May enroll in Math 491: Independent Study, or Math 405 for 3 credits with the approval of research mentor.
Research poster describing students individual contribution should be completed by end of semester.
Student effort: Approx. 10-15 hrs./week
SPRING Year 2
Continue research.
Enroll in Math 493: Advanced Topics in Applied Math course for 3 credits.
Enroll in Math 495: Undergraduate Research Seminar for 1 credit.
May enroll in Math 491: Independent Study, or Math 406 for 3 credits with the approval of research mentor.
For graduating students, written thesis describing students individual contribution should be completed by end of semester.
Student effort: Approx. 10-15 hrs./week
SUMMER Year 2
Continue research.
Year 3
Continuing students can get Learning Assistantships in Applied mathematics courses and continue research projects.
For graduating students, written thesis describing students individual contribution should be completed by end of semester.
GMU URCM program 2008-2012 - GMU Math undergraduate research program materials from 2008-2012