The investigator and his colleagues at the Department of Mathematics of the University of Central Florida introduce a year-long computational mathematics research and training program. Using exciting applications of mathematics in images and videos as motivating examples, this CSUMS program provides participants with a solid background in both mathematical theory and problem-solving techniques to pursue careers and graduate study in fields that require integrated strengths in computation and the mathematical sciences. The program starts in the spring semester with classes that prepare students in numerical methods, mathematical modeling, and computer vision and imaging science. Then, in an intensive summer component, the students immerse themselves in a research project. In the fall semester they continue to conduct research and take additional classes in advanced computer vision and imaging science, and advanced mathematical modeling. In the follow-up spring semester, the students submit their research for publication, finish an undergraduate honors thesis, and get training in graduate career advancement issues. In addition, participants attend professional conferences, which give them a chance to present their research and to meet known researchers in the field, who may serve as their role models. To broaden the students' perspective, there are field trips to technology companies in central Florida area such as Lockheed-Martin, Harris, and Boeing. Finally in order to promote interaction amongst the students, a seminar course is installed throughout the program and several social events are included such as dinners with distinguished speakers visiting the campus.
A cohort of 10 participants is selected each year among math majors and minors at UCF. The key elements of the program include: to have a full year training in carefully designed course work so that the participants can master the mathematical and computational fundamentals, to engage each participant in a meaningful research project integrated into the year-long program, and to develop the participants' skills in communicating scientific ideas in writing and oral presentations through writing journal papers for publication, giving routine seminar presentations, and presenting at the professional meetings. The program represents a team effort of faculty members from mathematics, computer science, education and industry. It leads to the development of a year-long research-oriented curriculum for computational mathematics. In particular, the participants are trained in and exposed to the latest techniques and critical issues in computational mathematics through both upgraded and newly designed courses and real-life research projects in computer vision and imaging science, which involve video compression, image denoising, object detection, tracking, activity and event recognition. This project contributes to preparing a work force of diverse scientists in order to maintain America's strategic position of command in science and engineering. Participants are trained in computational mathematics with an emphasis on computer vision and imaging science, in particular they learn fundamentals of computation with applications of consequence in areas such as national defense and intelligence, homeland security, and biomedical and life sciences. The outcome of this CSUMS model, its evaluation, related research, articles, and curriculum materials, is disseminated to other colleges and universities via a dedicated web site.
