Mathematics research funded by federal grant

Mon, September 21, 2009 |

Valparaiso University has received a $240,688 grant from the National Science Foundation to provide undergraduate students with intensive experiences in mathematics research and help increase American competitiveness in science, technology, engineering and math.

Dr. Rick Gillman, chair of Valpo's Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, said the grant will bring nine undergraduate mathematics majors to campus during each of the next three summers to collaborate with University faculty members on mathematics research.

Students selected for the research experience will study leading topics in mathematics research, getting an opportunity to both advance their skills and receive an introduction to graduate-level mathematics research. Dr. Gillman said the National Science Foundation hopes the experience will help entice more students to pursue advanced studies in mathematics and related fields.

"The research program is a rich and well-rounded opportunity in which students experience mathematical research, rather than the mathematical classroom," said Dr. Gillman. "It helps them to understand mathematics as a creative process."

In addition to conducting original research with Valpo's faculty, the student researchers will listen to guest lectures, attend mathematics conferences, prepare research papers detailing their findings and present their research at a conference with other undergraduate researchers in the Midwest.

During the summer of 2010, Dr. Gillman will lead students in a project studying number theory; Dr. Daniel Maxin, assistant professor of mathematics and computer science, will lead a biological modeling project; and Dr. Lara Pudwell, assistant professor of mathematics and computer science, will lead a project examining enumeration schemes.

The National Science Foundation funded an identical research program for undergraduates at Valpo from 2005 through 2007.

Dr. Gillman noted that the grant project was evaluated and recommended by other scientists from across the country. The National Science Foundation received funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.