Bootcamp and Intersession Programs

About

• The bootcamp and intersession programs were started in Summer 2022. The original idea for bootcamp came from Patrick Donaghue, and intersession was a later idea. The original implementation of bootcamp was designed by Patrick Donaghue and Emily Hammett. The bootcamp and intersession programs aim to assist beginning graduate students in preparing for graduate school and qualifying exam courses.

• At Penn State University, the qualifying exams are

  • Real Analysis,

  • Abstract Algebra,

  • Linear Algebra,

  • Complex Analysis,

  • Functional Analysis, and

  • Topology.

• The corresponding courses are offered in the fall (Real Analysis, Abstract Algebra, and Linear Algebra) and in the spring (Complex Analysis, Functional Analysis, and Topology). The corresponding exams are offered in December/January and May.

• The bootcamp and intersession programs follow an active learning model. Each program is divided into sessions of material, where each session is based on a particular topic. The material for the sessions is written on handouts structured with definitions, theorems, and exercises for the students to solve in groups of 2-3 people. The students have time to work through the handouts, and then they present their solutions and thoughts to their peers, the bootcamp facilitators, and guests. The handouts are intended to be structured so that students of varying backgrounds find the material accessible and also challenging. These sessions are facilitated by second-year or higher graduate students who have already completed the relevant material. This setup is intended to provide beginning graduate students with a collaborative and supportive atmosphere in which to "review" material without grades, assignments, or exams.

• Information about the transition programs is available on the Penn State Department of Mathematics website.

• Intersession will be discontinued going further due to low student and volunteer interest.

Bootcamp

• Bootcamp is held the week before the beginning of the Fall semester. It focuses on Logic and Proof, Real Analysis, Abstract Algebra, and Linear Algebra.

• Goals of bootcamp:

  • Assist incoming graduate students in transitioning to Penn State.

  • Assist incoming graduate students in transitioning to mathematics graduate school.

  • Assist incoming graduate students in preparing for the Fall qualifying exam courses of Real Analysis, Abstract Algebra, and Linear Algebra.

  • Foster a sense of community among the incoming graduate students.

  • Foster a sense of community between the incoming graduate students and the continuing graduate students.

  • Welcome the incoming graduate students to the mathematics department at Penn State.

• Bootcamp 2022 was held August 15–19, 2022. The sessions were organized as follows:

  • Logic and Proof: 1 session,

  • Real Analysis: 5 sessions,

  • Abstract Algebra: 2 sessions,

  • Linear Algebra: 2 sessions.

  • The materials for these sessions were written by, and/or the sessions were facilitated by, Sofya Bykova, Kieran Cavanagh, Peter DeBello, Patrick Donaghue, Emily Hammett, and Sebastián Pavez Molina. All educational materials from the bootcamp have been compiled into a booklet (not officially published).

• Bootcamp 2023 was held August 17–19, 2023. The sessions were organized as follows:

  • Logic and Proof: 1 session,

  • Real Analysis: 3 sessions,

  • Abstract Algebra: 2 sessions,

  • Linear Algebra: 2 sessions.

  • The materials for these sessions were revisions from Bootcamp 2022. Revisions were completed by, and/or the sessions were facilitated by, Biy-Kuang (Andy) Day, Louis Diaz, Emily Hammett, Violet Neutgens, Neelarnab Raha, and Joey Veltri. All educational materials from the bootcamp, including solutions to the exercises, have been compiled into a booklet (not officially published).

Intersession

• Intersession has been held the week before the beginning of the Spring semester. It focused on Complex Analysis, Functional Analysis, and Topology.

• Goals of intersession:

  • Assist first-year graduate students in preparing for the Spring qualifying exam courses of Complex Analysis, Functional Analysis, and Topology.

  • Foster a sense of community among the first-year graduate students.

  • Foster a sense of community between the first-year graduate students and the second-year and higher graduate students.

• Intersession 2023 was held January 3–4, 2023. The sessions were organized as follows:

  • Complex Analysis: 2 sessions,

  • Functional Analysis: 2 sessions,

  • Topology: 2 sessions.

  • The materials for these sessions were written by, and/or the sessions were facilitated by, Lael Costa, Patrick Donaghue, Emily Hammett, Zelong Li, Sebastián Pavez Molina, and Hongda Qiu. All educational materials from the intersession have been compiled into a booklet (not officially published).

• Intersession 2024 was held January 4–5, 2024. The sessions were organized as follows:

  • Complex Analysis: 2 sessions,

  • Functional Analysis: 2 sessions.

  • There were not Topology sessions due to low student interest.

• Intersession will be discontinued going further due to low student and volunteer interest.