Program Overview The Queens Experience in Discrete Mathematics (QED) is an academic-year Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF). QED aims to give undergraduates in the New York City area, who are passionate and curious about mathematics, the opportunity to do research in a supportive and student-centered environment. Our REU is hosted at York College, of the City University of New York. York College is located in Queens, New York, one of the most diverse counties in the country. Support for this program has been provided by the NSF through REU Award Number DMS 2150251. The Principal Investigator is Dr. Rishi Nath and the co-Principal Investigator is Dr. Edoardo Carta.Program Goals Our REU is designed to help undergraduate students in the New York City area transition from guided learning to independent learning. More broadly, this REU will help students develop some of the skills needed to succeed in graduate school, as well as in academia and industry. QED participants will begin by acquiring the basic tools to do research in mathematics. Then, they will work with their mentors and peers in hands-on research projects, in some of the following areas of discrete mathematics: partition theory, algebraic combinatorics, automata theory, and formal language theory. Additionally, students will participate in various co-curricular activities, where they will learn relevant computer software. Participants will have access to resources aimed at preparing them for graduate school application, and several trips to graduate programs will be part of the schedule. Program Details We are an academic-year REU, and this cycle will run from August 2022 to May 2023. Participants will be required to attend meetings twice a week during the duration of the program. Students should expect some meetings to take place in person and some to take place online. That is, we anticipate the program to adopt a hybrid model. Hence candidates should be enrolled in a college or university in the New York City area. Participants will receive an annual stipend of about $9,000 (pending approval), travel support for a conference, and will have access to mobile electronic devices for the duration of the program. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to receive up to nine (9) credits towards their degrees for their work in this REU. We anticipate our program to accept up to ten (10) students per academic year. Broader Impacts The broader impacts of QED include the recruitment and retention of students from several underrepresented groups in the mathematical sciences, including women, students with disabilities, African American and Hispanic students. Our program also seeks to increase interest from students in the aforementioned groups, as well as community college students and students who are first-generation college attendees, in attending graduate school. This REU is also aimed at increasing the diversity of applicants in the mathematical sciences job market, by providing a more comprehensive educational experience to students that have demonstrated mathematical ability and interest, but may not have a chance otherwise. Eligibility We are seeking highly-motivated undergraduates in the New York City area, who have demonstrated academic excellence in mathematics, and have little to no experience doing research in mathematics. Additionally, applicants
Students from underrepresented groups (including women, students with disabilities, African American and Hispanic students) and community college students are strongly encouraged to apply. If you do not meet all the eligibility criteria, but you think you are a strong candidate, please feel free to contact us. Note: For the Personal Statement portion of the application, please tell us about yourself, and address the following: your most rewarding mathematical experience, your idea of mathematical research, your academic/career goals, and what you hope to get out of this program. |