Undergraduate Research with a Professor

Approaching a Professor about Supervising an Undergraduate Research Project

• Choose a professor that you know or have had a class from, and who you think you would enjoy working with. You may want to take a look at their webpage to see what their research entails, but it's not particularly important that it matches your interests (or that you even understand what it is). Unlike the sciences, in an undergraduate research project in mathematics, you will probably not be working on the professor's own research projects.
  
  
• Undergraduate Research Projects are usually done by juniors or seniors after they have completed the Calculus Sequence, Linear Algebra, and possibly also a "first proofs class". It also helps if you've had some exposure to upper-level mathematics in junior-level or senior-level courses.
  
  
• If possible, go to the professor's office and talk to them in person rather than sending an email. You may want to bring a copy of your unofficial transcripts (or just a list of courses you've taken with grades received) that you can leave with the professor. Tell the professor you are interested in doing an undergraduate research project, and ask if they would be willing to supervise you. You don't need to have an idea of what you want to work on --- if you want to express some general interests (e.g., "I enjoy Linear Algebra", or "I liked my Real Analysis class") that is fine, but not necessary. It is also a good idea to tell the professor how much time you can contribute to the project. (This may vary, but something like one hour per week meeting with the professor plus 3--6 hours per week of work on your own seems reasonable.)
  
  
• The professor may ask you some questions about your background and what you may want to work on. They may ask for some time to see if they can come up with a project that is suitable. They may give you one possible project or they might give you a few possible projects you can choose from. You can then discuss the potential project(s) together to decide if you are interested. The professor might also say "no".
  
  
• If a professor says "no" or tells you they don't have time to supervise an undergraduate research project, do not take it personally. Remember that professors are incredibly busy and as stated above, supervising undergraduate research doesn't help them in their own work and is something they voluntarily take on in addition to their other responsibilities. If they aren't able to supervise you, ask them for suggestions of other professors in the math department who they think may be interested in doing so.

Publishing Results of Undergraduate Research

• Involve, a journal dedicated to showcasing and encouraging high quality mathematical research involving students at all levels.
• The Pi Mu Epsilon Journal, which presents papers and mathematical problems written by undergraduates.
• The Minnesota Journal of Undergraduate Mathematics (MJUM) focuses on original mathematical research done primarily by undergraduate researchers in all areas of mathematics and its applications.
• The Pentagon, an undergraduate journal published by the honor society Kappa Mu Epsilon.
• The Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Undergraduate Mathematics Journal, devoted entirely to papers written by undergraduates on topics related to mathematics.
• The SIAM Undergraduate Research Online (SIURO), publishing outstanding undergraduate research in applied and computational mathematics
• The Journal of Young Investigators, dedicated to the presentation of undergraduate research in science, mathematics, and engineering. It publishes the best submissions from undergraduates, with an emphasis on both the quality of research and the manner in which it is communicated.
• The Furman University Electronic Journal of Undergraduate Mathematics, a forum for the publication of mathematics research papers written by undergraduate students.

Presenting Results of Undergraduate Research

• Pi Mu Epsilon holds a National Conference at MAA Mathfest every summer and also sponsors several Regional Conferences.
• The Joint Math Meetings of the AMS and MAA provides opportunities for undergraduates to give short talks or present research in poster sessions.
• MathFest, the annual conference of the MAA, also provide opportunities for undergraduates to give short talks or present research in poster sessions.
• MAA Section Meetings often welcome talks by undergraduates.
• Regional Undergraduate Mathematics Conferences (RUMC), funded through NSF and MAA support, are conferences aimed specifically at undergraduates.
• The Nebraska Conference for Undergraduate Women in Mathematics is open to outstanding undergraduate women mathematicians at all stages of their careers. Students will have the opportunity to meet other women who share their interest in the mathematical sciences, and those who have already done research will be given an opportunity to present their results. Conference participants will also have a chance to learn about life in graduate school from the perspective of current women graduate students representing math departments from across the country.