Internships, Research Programs, and Study Abroad
The National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates are summer programs designed for students who want to try doing research. Some are designed for those who just want a taste of the feeling of research to see if it is what they might like to do. Others are designed for those who are already quite advanced and desire a head start into research. Many of these programs have themes or topics, like applied mathematics (Wocester Polytechnic Institute), group theory (Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology), or combinatorics and graph theory (University of Minnesota at Duluth); others have a wide variety of subjects, like Oregon State University and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Most require little background as the necessary material will be covered when you get there. The important prerequisite is a desire to learn and to think about mathematics. The Mathematical Association of America has a web page expressly for Summer Opportunities including the math REU Program Sites. For more information, contact the Undergraduate Programs Secretary in 138 Cardwell Hall or call (785)-532-0557.
The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program was created to encourage outstanding students to pursue careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering and to foster excellence in those fields. Students who are within one or two years of graduation may apply. The application materials include the statement: "Nominees for Goldwater Scholarships must include in their nomination materials an essay discussing a significant issue or problem in their field of study that is of particular interest to them. The essay must include a description of the issue or problem, a discussion of an idea for research that could have significant impact on the issue or problem, a description of an aspect of the research in which the nominee would be involved, and an explanation of the relevance of the issue or problem to the nominee as a mathematician or scientist." Interested students should ask their mathematics, science, and engineering professors about possible research projects. For more information, see our Goldwater Scholarship Program page.
An internship is a paid or unpaid work experience completed over a summer or semester. A Co-op is an extended (semester and summer) full-time paid internship. Cooperative education alternates summers and/or semesters of work and school in paid positions and provides the opportunity to test-drive a career. Various summer internships are available for mathematics students with government, private industry, and business. For example, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center has a Student Internship Program as well as other Higher Education Programs. Undergraduate student work under the supervision of a research scientist. Many insurance companies offer actuarial internships. For example, here are career and internship pages for Allstate and Northwestern Mutual Life. For more information, contact Career and Employment Services in 100 Holtz Hall (785)-532-1680 or visit their Internships and Co-Ops page.
The National Security Agency has several College Student Programs. For example, the Director's Summer Program is the National Security Agency's premier outreach effort to the very best undergraduate mathematics majors in the country. The students participating in the cryptologic mathematics program will work on a broad range of problems involving applications of abstract algebra, analysis, combinatorics, geometry, number theory, graph theory, probability, and statistics. Student interns work on challenging cryptologic problems under the direction of Agency mathematicians.
The U.S. Department of State has a number of Student Programs in which mathematics students have the opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge of American foreign affairs. The duties may include areas such as research, report writing, correspondence, computer science, and analysis.
The U.S.Department Of Energy (DOE) sponsors a number of student internship programs at Ames Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Sandia National Laboratories in California and New Mexico. These offer unique scientific experiences for qualified undergraduates in science, mathematics, computer science, and engineering. For example, The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) has a number of Educational and Research Experiences for Undergrads. Over 250 research projects are available, and great care is taken to ensure that students are placed in programs which best meet their interests and needs. Appointments are usually for the fall or spring semester.
The Summer Mathematics Program at Carleton and St. Olaf Colleges and the Summer Program for Women in Mathematics (SPWM) at George Washington University are programs for talented undergraduate women in mathematics. There are seminars at various levels to get students more interested in different types of mathematics and mathematical research. Women who are contemplating or unsure about their future in the mathematical sciences should consider these programs. As with many others, these programs carry a stipend and provide housing.
The Mathematics Advanced Study Semester (MASS) at Penn State is a full semester-long program which includes three core courses, a weekly seminar, and computer related mathematical projects.
The Study Abroad program is directed toward those who desire to study for a semester or year at a university in the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Mexico, or Sweden. You will also find listings for thousands of study abroad programs in more than 100 countries throughout the world on the StudyAbroad.com homepage. For more information, contact the Office of International Programs in 304 Fairchild Hall (785)-532-5990.
Students interested in traveling abroad and studying mathematics in an exciting and challenging environment, should consider the Budapest Semesters in Mathematics program. This is a semester or year long program and can be done either in the fall or the spring. The courses are taught in English and the program is an exceptional place to meet students and professors who are intelligent and excited about mathematics. It is also a unique cultural experience, as Hungary has a rich historical tradition and wonderful artistic and musical displays and events. The prerequisites are not much more than the calculus sequence. It would be very helpful to have done at least a semester of junior-level mathematics like advanced calculus, linear algebra, or modern algebra. The most important prerequisite is an enthusiasm about learning mathematics. There are courses suitable for all levels, from beginning modern algebra and complex analysis, to more advanced combinatorics and number theory (the Hungarians' specialties!). This one does cost money, though not considerably more than a semester of study at Kansas State. There is also the plane ticket to buy, but the experience is definitely worth it!
The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships and Department of Defense National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowships are primarily for seniors who are graduating and plan to pursue graduate studies. Applicants must submit a plan of study and goals for their research, as well as previous research experience. Graduate school applicants should apply for these two fellowships. . For more information, contact the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs in 101 Fairchild Hall (785)-532-6195. Phi Kappa Phi Fellowships are for seniors headed for graduate school who are also members of Phi Kappa Phi.