You are here

Carleton College Program

Carleton College Program

By Deanna Haunsperger The mathematics department of Carleton College is pleased to announce that NSF has renewed the funding for our month-long summer mathematics program for eighteen mathematically-talented first- and second-year undergraduate women. By introducing them to new and exciting areas of mathematics that they would not see in a standard undergraduate curriculum, and by honing their skills in writing, speaking and doing mathematics, the program leaders endeavor to excite these women on to advanced degrees in the mathematical sciences, and, more importantly, to increase each woman's confidence in her own abilities and connect them all into a supportive network to carry them through their undergraduate and graduate education.

At the heart of the program are two demanding, intense courses under the supervision of female faculty who are active in research and renowned for their teaching. In past summers we have had the following instructors: Judy Kennedy (Topological Dynamical Systems), Laura Chihara (Algebraic Coding Theory), Margie Hale (Fuzzy Logic), Rhonda Hatcher (Game Theory), Katherine Crowley (Morse Theory) and others. This summer's courses will be offered by Erica Flapan of Pomona College (Knots and Chemistry) and Karen Brucks of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Low Dimensional Dynamical Systems).

Besides the coursework, participants take part in a variety of mathematical events: panel discussions on graduate schools and careers, colloquia on a variety of topics, recreational problem-solving, and visits from at least one REU organizer and the organizer of the Budapest Semester. The mathematical part of the program is balanced with weekend events including canoeing, hiking, picnics, and tubing. Past participants (through program evaluations and the list server set up for their correspondence) report increased facility with mathematics, bolstered self-confidence, and new or renewed excitement toward mathematics.

If you have first- or second-year women students whom you think would benefit from a demanding, invigorating month-long exposure to mathematics next summer (June 17 July 15), please refer them to our web page at www.math.carleton.edu/smp or have them contact Deanna Haunsperger at Department of Mathematics, Carleton College, Northfield, MN 55057 (dhaunspe@carleton.edu.) The deadline for applications is February 23, 2007.

id: 
4062
News Date: 
Thursday, November 30, 2006