We look forward to offering BEPUR again in Fall 2021! It will be listed in the course catalog as Math 2984. This will allow students to prepare for REU applications soon after the class wraps up, and to continue a research project in more depth the following spring. Additionally, BEPUR students who are women will be eligible to apply to be a SURE fellow who is paid while doing research in spring (supported by MAA Tensor Women and Mathematics grant).

About BEPUR

Fall 2021 Details

Time: Mondays and Wednesdays 4:00-5:15

Location: The majority of class meetings will take place in Pamplin 2001

MATH 2984, BEPUR, is a 3 credit hour course that aims to prepare students for mathematics research by:

• development of research skills,

• exposure to career paths in mathematics,

• interaction with mathematics researchers, including women mathematicians speaking in the SURE lecture series

• active participation in several guided introductory mathematics research projects.

Who should take this course?

BEPUR targets students who want to get involved in math research, and who are currently taking or have recently taken their first proof-based math course. We are enthusiastic about supporting a diverse community of math student researchers, and encourage any student, especially women, minorities, first-generation students and students with disabilities, to take advantage of what the new BEPUR course has to offer!

Corequisites: One of MATH 3034, MATH 3224, MATH 3434, MATH 2534, or instructor approval of equivalent proof-writing experience.

Quotes From Students in the BEPUR Class and SURE Program

"You can benefit from doing the group work and discussion with classmates, solving the problem, expressing your thoughts, etc. All of these skills can be really useful in future studies and careers."

"You will never be bored, but also not overwhelmed because the class is extremely doable."

"You will learn more [by working] together with partners than on your own"

"This is a very well put-together class that teaches a wide variety of skills."

"The homework is genuinely interesting and useful, and each of the lectures and activities teaches or reinforces new skills."

"I think what is valuable in this course is that it is not important whether your answer is correct or incorrect; what [is] important is the process of solving the problem: engagement, communication, open-minded… You will find this course exciting and useful!"

"Taking this course is a good practice for you to learn how to engage and participate in math research and study, and, undoubtedly, not only math!"

Final Presentations Spring 2021

Click the video below to hear from the BEPUR teaching team:

In Fall 2021 we plan to have a fully in-person class.

Message for Fall: This course is offered primarily in-person, with activities designed for small collaboration teams. The majority of activities are planned to be done in-person, but the safety of in-person activities will be continually re-assessed based on university and county pandemic data.

How will students be evaluated: Students will be evaluated based on participation in class, regular assignments related to general research skill development and introductory research projects (including literature reviews, problem sets, developing original questions), and a final presentation on one of the projects. Grading will be on an A-F scale.