Resources and Organizations

Resources

Organizations

For Students

Summer Opportunities

Many students are interested in spending part of their summer learning new mathematics or exploring some career paths related to mathematics. After all, what could be better than getting paid for doing something you enjoy! Here are some links to help you research some of these opportunities. This is not a comprehensive list. Please let the department know if you know of other programs that might be of interest to Bowdoin students.

National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduate Programs (or do a Google Search for NSF REU math program)
The American Mathematical Society also lists these programs (This is their 2008 list but they claim it will be updated.)

These are 8-10 week programs where you learn a new area of mathematics and work on a research problem with a group of other students. Programs range from 10-20 students and usually have a stipend of approximately $3,200. These programs are extremely popular, and due to their small size, we encourage you to apply to several programs. The programs offer a wonderful opportunity to meet other college students interested in mathematics and learn a topic that isn’t offered at Bowdoin. Topics range through pure and applied mathematics, and statistics.

The list at the NSF does not seem to be completely updated for 2009. Please check the programs individually to ensure that they are offering a session in 2009.

The deadlines for these programs are usually in February and March.

Park City Mathematics Institute
This is a 3 week residential program in Park City, Utah, which focuses on one topic per year. There are classes and problem sessions on this topic at a variety of levels, from undergraduate through research level mathematics. There are concurrent programs for teachers at all levels. The program offers a smaller stipend, and its short length allows students to do some mathematics and spend some of the summer at home or elsewhere.

This program is now followed by a 4 week REU program so that students can stay for a longer period of time. Look for information on the web page.

Local contact: Professor Barker, who until this year was on the board of PCMI.

Women in Mathematics: There are several programs geared especially towards women interested in mathematics (sorry, guys!)

George Washington University Summer Program for Women in Mathematics
This is a five-week intensive program for mathematically- talented undergraduate women who are completing their junior year and may be contemplating graduate study in the mathematical sciences. Goals of this program are to communicate an enthusiasm for mathematics, to develop research skills, to cultivate mathematical self-confidence and independence, and to promote success in graduate school.

Carleton College Summer Mathematics Program for Women Undergraduates
Same idea as the previous program; this one has been running for twelve years with similar goals as above.

Institute for Advanced Study (Princeton University)
The program brings together research mathematicians with undergraduate and graduate students for an intensive 11-day workshop on the campus of the Institute for Advanced Study which is designed to address issues of gender imbalance in mathematics. Founded in 1994, the program includes lectures and seminars on a focused mathematical topic, mentoring, discussions on peer relations, an introduction to career opportunities and a women in sciences seminar.

Joint Program in Survey Methodology, Junior Fellow Program
These are paid summer internships sponsored by the Federal Statistical Agencies in Washington, DC. This is a great opportunity to learn about how statistics is used within our government and to experience Washington, DC.

A representative from this program is coming to Bowdoin on Friday, Nov. 14...come find out more information about a program that previous Bowdoin students have enjoyed. (Searles 213, 1-2pm, Friday, Nov. 5)

The deadline for applying to this program is early December. Please consider applying if you are remotely interested in this area! (Remember to ask for letters of recommendation at least 3 weeks in advance – that means now!)

SIAM and AMS
The Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics and the American Mathematical Society also maintain long lists of summer research and other opportunities on their student webpages. Check them out!
http://www.siam.org/students/news.php?id=1257
http://www.ams.org/employment/undergrad.html

Working as a counselor in a summer math program

There are lots of summer math programs for high school and junior high school students who accept undergraduates as counselors or teaching assistants. You can find a comprehensive link at http://www.ams.org/employment/mathcamps.html and follow up to see whether there is an application for a counselor position. This can be a fun way to do a little teaching of mathematics and encourage younger students who are interested in math.

One particular such program is PROMYS, based in Boston which does use undergraduates from a variety of schools to help teach number theory to high school students. You should not apply to this program unless you have had some number theory.

Summer Internships at Google
Google offers a variety of summer internships at many different geographical locations around the country. You can find out more information about these at http://google.com/jobs. Prof. Taback has a contact at Google, and you are welcome to contact her for more information.

Actuarial and Accounting Internships
Please contact the CPC (Bowdoin Career Planning Center) for information about these opportunities.

Summer Research Opportunities at Bowdoin

Students can also do summer research with a professor at Bowdoin College. If you are interested in this you should contact your professors early in the spring semester, and check out the Bowdoin Student Research Awards page. The deadlines for application for summer research awards tend to be in late February and early March.