The directed reading program (DRP) at the University of Missouri is modeled after a similar program at the University of Maryland - College Park. The DRP aims to pair undergraduate students with graduate student mentors for semester-long independent study projects. The program is motivated towards exposing undergraduate students to topics and ideas present in higher mathematics while also giving them the space and resources to read higher mathematics, as a way to better prepare them towards graduate school. Directed reading programs have been successfully implemented in schools across the nation such as Rutgers, UConn, Maryland, MIT, UT-Austin and UC-Berkeley. Participation is not for credit and does not appear on a student's transcript. 

At the start of the semester, project proposals for the semester are made available. Interested undergraduates and early graduate students are encouraged to apply. Each applicant is then paired with a single graduate mentor. The mentee meets weekly with their mentor for about an hour. The details of these meetings are left up to the mentee/mentor pairs; they might include presentations by the mentee, informal lecturing by the mentor, general discussion, questions about exercises, etc. In addition to the meetings, the mentee is expected to work independently for at least four hours each week. At the end of the semester, each student gives a 10–15 minute presentation on a topic they have studied. Upon completion, the projects alongside the pairing information are displayed in the past projects web page.

Applicants must be an undergraduate or an early graduate student at the University of Missouri. Applicants need not be math majors, but mathematical inclination and a strong background is recommended.  The graduate mentor may perform a diagnostic test during the first week to determine if the applicant is ready for the program. 

• If you are a graduate student interested in volunteering as a mentor, please fill out and submit this form before January 16th 2024

• If you are an undergraduate or an early graduate student interested in participating in the program:

  1. Proceed to the Current Projects page to view all the topics offered this semester 

  2. Please fill out this form noting at least three projects of interest. 

Note: Spring 2024 Applications due January 23rd 2024 at 11:59 PM