This award seeks to build meaningful interconnections among the various educational and research components of the mathematics enterprise at Stony Brook. The Departments of Mathematics and of Applied Mathematics and Statistics have developed strongly but in largely divergent directions. This joint proposal enhances the instruction and research training in both departments through (i) cooperation in areas where the strengths of one department can benefit the other, and (ii) new initiatives that will benefit both departments. The proposal's emphasis on expanding research teams to include undergraduates ties in with the university mandate to develop opportunities for undergraduates to participate in research. Its emphasis on developing pedagogy ties in with the university mandate to revitalize undergraduate education. The proposal has four components: A. Broadening the Research Training of Undergraduates, Graduate Students and Postdocs; B. Developing Vertically Integrated Research Teams; C. Strengthening the Educational Experiences of Undergraduates, Graduate Students and Postdocs; D. Promoting Greater Interactions Among Students, Postdocs and Faculty in The Two Departments
The proposed initiatives in the Stony Brook VIGRE project will strengthen the education and research training of undergraduate and graduate students and postdocs in both departments with better classroom learning, new opportunities for research, and broadened career opportunities. Undergraduates will have a variety of new experiences involving independent thinking, culminating in the opportunity to participate in vertically integrated research teams. Graduate students and postdocs in Mathematics will have an exposure to the types of mathematics research that reach out to other disciplines and to industry with involvement in one such research project. While most recent Mathematics Ph.D.'s have been successful in finding academic employment at leading institutions, it still makes sense for all Mathematics Ph.D.'s to be aware of a wider range of career opportunities. Applied Mathematics graduate students will develop a better appreciation of, and preparation for, academic careers in (unified) mathematics departments. The employment of Applied Mathematics Ph.D.'s has swung too far in the direction of non-academic careers. As a result of this trend, liberal art colleges have great difficulty hiring qualified U.S.-citizen faculty in statistics and applied mathematics. The summer internship program will build valuable ties with local industry and business along with directly benefiting the training of the student interns. VIGRE Postdoctoral Fellows will share in the exposure of broadened research and career opportunities. Some will also become involved in instructional reform, particularly in the arena of teaching preparation. All postdoctoral Fellows will have extensive mentoring in launching their own research programs.
Funding for this award is provided by the Division of Mathematical Sciences and the MPS Directorate's Office of Multidisciplinary Activities.
