Twoples is a mentorship program for undergraduates interested in pursuing a research-based graduate degree in math. Twoples especially aims to provide such mentorship to students from underrepresented groups or non-traditional backgrounds, as well as to students at non-research oriented colleges and universities.
Twoples is inspired by the Directed Reading Program. Like the DRP, Twoples connects undergrads with current math grad students. These grad-undergrad pairs work together on a reading course based on their mutual interests.
Unlike the DRP, Twoples takes place online. This allows undergrads from any institution to find a graduate mentor. We especially encourage undergrads from liberal arts colleges, minority-serving institutions, community colleges, and universities with no Directed Reading Program to apply.
Undergrads apply to be mentees. In their application, undergrads can provide details about their background, interests, and desired mentor attributes.
Grads apply to be mentors. Mentors should be actively pursuing or have recently completed a research-oriented PhD in the mathematical sciences.
Based on mutual interests, undergrads and grads are paired together. These pairs work together to decide on a topic for the semester.
Mentors and mentees meet online for an hour each week. Mentors can expect to spend 1 hour each week preparing for meetings. Mentees can expect to spend 3 hours each week preparing for meetings.
Halfway through the semester, the grad-undergrad pair decide on a final project and write up a brief description. The final project is due at the end of the semester.
There are many great suggestions at various DRP websites:
Rutgers (includes prerequisite descriptions)
UC Berkeley (includes prerequisite descriptions)
UNC Chapel Hill (includes prerequisite descriptions)
UW Madison (includes approximate difficulty level)
The final project should be a tangible product that motivates and demonstrates what the mentee learns throughout the reading course. Here are some ideas:
Record a 15 minute slide presentation describing your project's material.
Write a 10 page expository explanation of your topic.
Develop an implementation of your topic using Mathematica, Python, Macaulay2, etc.
Make and present an outline for your undergrad thesis.