Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)

Applied Mathematics, UCLA

Summer 2009

REU Description¹
Since 2005, undergraduates from UCLA and Harvey Mudd College have joined faculty and graduate students to conduct a broad variety of theoretical, numerical and experimental research projects in Applied Mathematics. The physical experiments are conducted primarily in UCLA's Applied Mathematics Laboratory. This program has been funded by the National Science Foundation since its inception; in 2006 it became part of UCLA's Research Training Group in Applied Differential Equations and Scientific Computing (supported NSF grant DMS-0601395).

The REU is an 8 week summer program in the Applied Mathematics group at UCLA. Students will have the opportunity to join an active research group with projects in image processing, control theory, fluid dynamics. and the interaction of mathematics and sociology. The successful applicant will work with faculty members from UCLA and Harvey Mudd College, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students and other undergraduates. Throughout the summer, the REU program will be augmented by faculty-run informational sessions on research, careers in mathematics, and preparing for graduate school.

Students will start June 15 and finish August 7. On the final day of the program, students are expected to present the results of their research in both a written report and an oral presentation. For some projects the students may be asked to write software. The faculty mentor will identify the "deliverables" at the beginning of the summer and will work closely with the students in preparing the final result.

The stipend for the summer is roughly $4,000 for UCLA students. Harvey Mudd students receive an additional housing stipend to cover living expenses.

Past REU programs have been very successful. Descriptions of previous REU projects can be found at the websites below.

Summer 2009 Projects
This summer we have a variety of interesting projects from different areas of applied mathematics. Each project will be tackled by a group of 2-4 undergraduate students under the supervision of a faculty mentor.

Fluid Dynamics -- Prof. Nebojsa Murisic
Planetary Physics and Astronomy -- Prof. William Newman
Atmospheric Fluid Dynamics -- Prof. Sam Stechmann
Geographical Profiling of Criminalal Activity -- Prof. Martin Short & Prof. George Mohler
Image Processing -- Prof. Todd Wittman

How To Apply
Applications are due Friday April 3rd for UCLA students, March 1st for Harvey Mudd students. All materials will be submitted electronically. The REU mentors will not start reviewing applications until after the deadline.

Undergraduate students from ULCA and Harvey Mudd are encouraged to apply regardless of major, but preference is given to applied math majors who have taken advanced mathematics courses. Students must be available for the entire 8-week time period June 15-August 7. The REU internship is a full-time position, so students should not plan on taking summer courses or working another job during the program. Due to regulations set by the government agency funding the program, the REU applicant should be a US citizen although in some cases exceptions can be made. Generally, graduating seniors are not allowed to participate in the REU.

To apply, UCLA students should e-mail the materials listed below to Babette Dalton at babette(AT)math.ucla.edu. Harvey Mudd students should e-mail their materials to Prof. Rachel Levy at levy(AT)hmc.edu. Please put the phrase "Summer REU Application" in the subject line of your e-mail.

A copy of your current transcript. An unofficial copy will suffice.
A brief statement of your research interests and the project(s) you would like to work on.
Indicate whether you are a US citizen, permanent resident, or international student.
Indicate the dates which you are available this summer.

¹REU description written by Prof. Rachel Levy, Harvey Mudd College