Program Details

This four-week summer research program brings together a group of undergraduate students for a virtual research experience in mathematics. The programming includes

• Small group collaborative research projects in topics in algebraic combinatorics.

• Introductory lectures on the research topics.

• Virtual meetings between the participants, graduate research assistants, and the research director.

• A weekly colloquium by a Virtual Visiting Scholar (expert on the research topic).

The field of algebraic combinatorics is broad and intersects with numerous other fields. AIM UP research topics of interest include projects in graph theory and in the enumeration of combinatorial objects with application to other areas such as representation theory or discrete geometry.

This year the projects are focused on graph domination and in generalized parking functions.
More details on the projects along with a list of introductory reading materials will be provided to admitted students by June 1, 2020.

Students having completed a one-semester course on introduction to mathematical proofs (or its equivalent) will be ready to contribute meaningfully to the research in this program. Prior knowledge of typesetting in LaTeX is not required, but will be very useful.

The virtual setting for an undergraduate research experience is a new learning experience for us all. This means that the first rule of AIM UP is that we will be kind and patient with ourselves and with each other.

The expectations on students of this program include:

1. Being respectful of all involved in the program. A community agreement detailing the expected behavior is required for admission into the program.

2. Actively building an inclusive, supportive, and collaborative research environment.

3. Communicating in a timely fashion with the director, researh faculty, and with your research group members.

4. Contributing to the writing of a final report on their research group’s findings/conjectures/progress to be submitted to the program director by the end of the program. Weekly progress reports are required and will receive feedback from adjunct faculty in the program.

5. Participation in the weekly colloquium and professional development sessions.

6. Completion of weekly reflections on the value of this virtual research experience.

Since all components of the 2020 summer program will be hosted virtually, every student is expected to have access to a computer with access to a webcam and microphone. Access to high-speed internet in order to access zoom video presentations and virtual meetings is also required. Expected online time will range from 3-4 hours per day on average.