Instead of stocking shelves, waiting tables, or doing other traditional summer jobs this year, eight college students will participate in federally funded math research at Grand Valley State University.
GVSU is one of 30 colleges and universities across the country selected as mathematical sites for the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. The eight-week program runs from June 12 through August 4.
Hosting something like this helps communicate the fact that we have a very vital Math department here at Grand Valley, explains Steve Schlicker, GVSU professor of Math and Stats and director of the program. We want to be known for what we love doing--working with students.
Schlicker says GVSU received 110 applications for the program and more continue to arrive. GVSU students Tim Pierce, Hillary Tichelaar, and Amy VanderZee were among those selected.
Other students selected for the program are from California, North Carolina, and Minnesota.
The REU program is intended to enrich the undergraduate learning experience by providing opportunities for students to engage in collaborative research projects with faculty members during the Spring/Summer Session.
Students will work on research projects in the areas of chaos and dynamic systems, fractal geometry, linear algebra, and quantum computing.
The students will learn how to effectively communicate their research, says Schlicker.
This is an especially useful skill if they choose to pursue research type work and graduate studies.
Several students from previous summer programs in math at GVSU have published their results in prestigious mathematical journals.
Participating students will receive housing, a meal allowance, $100 in travel money and a $2,500 stipend.
If the students want to work on their research at the beach they can, says Schlicker. We want them to experience West Michigan while they are here and have a really good time.
GVSU math faculty members involved in the project include Professors Edward Aboufadel, Paul Fishback, Jody Sorensen, and Clark Wells.
