Wabash College: Math & CS Crawfordsville, Indiana

HOME

PEOPLE FINDER

SITE INDEX

CONTACT

Mathematics & Computer Science
- Wabash Summer Institute in Mathematics (WSIM)


Home Page

News & Events

Faculty & Staff

Students

Curriculum

Facilities

Off-Campus Study

Internships/Jobs

Alumni

History

WSIA

WSIM

The Wabash Summer Institute in Mathematics offers 12 undergraduates an unprecedented opportunity to conduct mathematical research with top faculty on the campus of a private college.

WHAT: The Wabash Summer Institute in Mathematics (WSIM) is an eight-week research experience in abstract algebra and applied mathematics for undergraduates. Participants will explore three diverse areas in abstract algebra or applied mathematics and conduct original research in small teams in one of these areas. In addition, participants will engage in seminars designed to investigate the ethics of research. Select participants will present their results at the Joint Mathematical Meetings in Washington D.C. in January of 2009.

WHO: WSIM is open to undergraduates who have coursework in mathematics compatible with the project area of their choice. Students wishing to work in one of the two abstract algebra groups ought to have at least one course in Abstract Algebra as well as some knowledge of Ring Theory. Students wishing to work in the applied mathematics group ought to have taken a course in Differential Equations and a beginning course in programming and/or computer science. Participants must be a citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its possessions. WSIM is interested in attracting a broad and diverse group of participants with an emphasis on students from smaller colleges and universities. Female, minority and disabled students are especially encouraged to apply.

WHEN: WSIM will run from June 2 to July 25 in 2008.

WHERE: WSIM is hosted by Wabash College located in Crawfordsville, Indiana. Wabash College is located within an hour of downtown Indianapolis and within 30 minutes of Purdue University.

PURPOSE: The Wabash Summer Institute in Mathematics is designed to introduce participants to the world of research mathematics in a collegial and cooperative environment and to encourage participants to explore the possibilities afforded by graduate studies in the mathematical sciences. In addition, WSIM seeks to provide the opportunity for participants to carefully examine and discuss the ethical considerations involved in conducting scientific research.

FORMAT: Participants will spend the first two weeks working together to explore the three topic areas of research available for them to work in. During the remaining six weeks, participants will be divided into teams of four that will conduct original research into one of the three areas explored earlier. Each team will be guided by an experienced research leader, and teams will meet regularly to discuss their results. Weekly seminars focusing on the ethics of scientific inquiry will also be held.

STIPEND: Participants will receive a stipend of $3600 for the eight weeks and free lodging. In addition, travel expenses to and from Wabash College will be provided. Funding is provided by the National Science Foundation. Some funding is available to fund select students to attend the Joint Mathematical Meetings in Washington D.C. in January of 2009.

RESEARCH LEADERS:

Mike Axtell is an Associate Professor of Mathematics at Wabash College. Prof. Axtell’s area of research is Commutative Ring Theory with a focus on the role played by zero divisors within the structure of rings. Prof. Axtell will focus on a structure that blends elementary graph theory with the study of zero divisors – namely the graph of zero divisors. This remarkably elegant structure has recently become a topic of active investigation within the Commutative Ring community. The broad goal of the investigation will be to learn more about the behavior of zero divisors in a ring by examining the structure of the zero divisor graph. For more info see his homepage.

Joe Stickles is an Associate Professor of Mathematics at Millikin University. Prof. Stickles’ area of research is abstract algebra, more specifically Commutative Ring Theory. In particular, Prof. Stickles examines how ring elements factor into irreducible elements and how a newer graph-theoretic construction can help shed light on various factoring ‘problems’. Thus, this area also blends algebra with graph theory. Factoring has long been an active area of research in both number theory and abstract algebra, and now it appears that graph theory can also play a role in investigating the ways in which ring elements factor. For more info see his homepage.

Chad Westphal is an Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science at Wabash College. Prof. Westphal works in numerical methods for differential equations. He often works with least-squares finite element methods for elliptic partial differential equations (PDE) from applications in solid and fluid mechanics. This involves formulation of PDE models, development of consistent and stable discretization schemes, and efficient implementation and testing. The summer research program may include projects involving time-dependent PDEs, PDEs with geometric singularities, or nonlinear PDEs modeling viscoelastic fluid flow. For more info see his homepage.

APPLICATION INFORMATION
(Open to U.S. citizens only.)
A complete application will consist of:
1. A letter of interest,
2. A current undergraduate transcript,
3. Two letters of recommendation.
4. A document containing your name, email, home address, college address, expected graduation date, a description of topics covered in your Abstract Algebra course(s), a list of any computer programs you are comfortable working with, and a list of honors and awards.
5. Please indicate which of the topics (applied mathematics or commutative ring theory) you find most interesting. (This choice is not binding.)

Please send your application by February 29 to:

WSIM c/o Prof Mike Axtell
Dept. of Mathematics and Computer Science
Wabash College
P.O. Box 352
Crawfordsville, IN 47933-0352

For additional information, please contact Mike Axtell at 765-361-6449 or axtellm@wabash.edu.

Funding provided by the National Science Foundation