GVSU Math Major Newsletter |
This newsletter comes to your inbox each week from the GVSU math department. You can find past newsletters and information about previously announced events and opportunities at the newsletter webpage.
|
|
|
this Friday! Math major Q&A panel -- especially for 1st and 2nd year students! Friday April 4, 1 - 2 pm, in the PCS (MAK A-2-610). Are you a freshman or sophomore? Come get advice from our panel of senior math majors. Want to know about choosing an emphasis, a double major, or a minor? Curious about finding internships, research projects, and more? Wondering which electives are best? Bring your own questions to ask our panelists too!
next Wednesday! Student Scholars Day is Wednesday April 9 in Kirkhof Center. This is a day filled with student presentations and posters about their research. Check out this special session with 9 math presentations (11 am - 2 pm, come or leave between any presentations). Come support your friends and classmates and find out what they have been up to! You can also search for more presentations.
|
|
|
-
Save the Date! The MTH 498 final presentations will be held on Thursday April 17 from 10-11:15 am in the PCS (MAK A-2-610) and via Zoom.
|
|
|
new! Free textbooks! Dr. Fishback, who is retiring this year, would like to share his collection of textbooks with math majors. You are invited to stop by the main math office (MAK A-2-178) any time during their regular hours, Monday - Friday 9 am - 5 pm, and let them know that you'd like to choose one of Dr. Fishback's books.
|
|
|
Internship, career, and job information |
-
new! The Community College Internship Program at NREL. “Interns spend their term engaged in a research project focused in these areas under the guidance of a laboratory scientist or engineer. Interns attend enriching professional development activities such as laboratory tours, speakers on scientific developments at NREL, and workshops that provide guidance and development of professional skills.” There will be an application workshop held April 1, from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. EDT. Register here. There will also be Office Hours held April 30th and May 7th & 14thfrom 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. EDT for you or your letter writers to ask questions. Register here. For more information about how to apply and the eligibility requirements see this page. Applications are due May 21 at 5:00 PM ET.
-
Graduate Student (and Advanced Undergrad) Mathematical Modeling Camp. Participate in a 4-day (June 4-7) summer training experience at California State Polytechnic University for graduate and advanced-undergraduate students. Work in a team to model and analyze problems posed by faculty mentors to develop problem-solving and mathematical modeling skills essential in industry. The deadline to apply is April 16th. You can find the application here. Note that if you are accepted, you will automatically be accepted to the Mathematical Problems in Industry Workshop (MPI). This workshop will be held June 9-13th at The Claremont Colleges (California) and brings together researchers and representatives from industry to work in groups on problems presented by industries. Note that if you are a student who has not participated in MPI or an equivalent event in the past, you are required to first attend the Graduate Student Mathematical Modeling Camp (GSMMC). If you have, the deadline to apply for MPI is April 16th and the application can be found here.
-
SULI Internship program. Are you an undergraduate student who is ready to use your major in a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) field or science policy to help make a difference in the world? Then the Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (SULI) is for you! SULI is a 10- to 16-week summer or semester-long internship program for college sophomores, juniors, or seniors majoring in STEM fields or science policy. Selected students perform research under the guidance of scientists or engineers on projects supporting DOE missions.The application for the summer term has closed already, but the application for the Fall semester opens in March. Here is a link with more information: https://bit.ly/3TXP4oo
- STEM Community Jobs on Handshake. This is a GVSU-curated collection of STEM internships and jobs. There are many opportunities for math majors here!
-
E.R.I.S.A. Inc. Retirement Plan Services is looking to hire a mathematics major for a full time position starting in June 2025 and/or possible intern for Summer 2025. This is a small Illinois-based company, where 4 out of the 8 employees have a bachelors degree in mathematics, including the president and owner of the company. This company has hired 2 recent GVSU graduates in 2021 and 2023 and has reached out because they would like to hire more! E.R.I.S.A. is a third party administrator for 401(k) and pension plans. The company's role is primarily with compliance which can include complex testing, government filings, interpretation of law, reconciliation of assets and income, etc. If interested, please send your resume directly to the president and owner of the company, Richard Perlin at richard@erisainc.com.
-
Capstone credit for your internship (MTH 490): Applied math majors who are planning to do an internship might be able to earn capstone credit! If your internship is "mathy" and meets some other requirements, you can get capstone class credit (MTH 490) for that internship. Click the link for more information. The process to get approved for MTH 490 takes time -- if you intend to apply for a MTH 490 internship capstone, email or talk to Dr. Short right away to get the process started. Don't wait!
-
GVSU Joint Applied Math and Data Science & Analytics MS degree program: Did you know about this combined bachelors-masters degree program you can take right here at GVSU? You can complete both an Applied Math major and a Data Science and Analytics MS degree together at GVSU! There's significant overlap between these degrees, and with careful planning they can take as little as 5 years together. If you'd like to make this happen, now is the time to plan. See Dr. Ortiz-Robinson for more information!
- The Student Public Research Interest Group has internship opportunities that may involve data analysis and other mathematical skills.
-
Auto-Owners internships and jobs: Auto-Owners Insurance has hired several GVSU math graduates in the past. Click the link to see their current job and internship openings, including some in Grand Rapids and Lansing!
-
The GVSU Career Center can help you find career and internship opportunities:
- Employer Showcases: Every week, different employers come to campus to talk about jobs and internships. Check out the STEM showcase in front of the Mackinac POD!
-
Career Communities: Receive direct communication about job & internship postings, events, and resources related to the industry area you are interested in.
-
CareerLab offers drop-in hours virtually and in-person.
|
|
|
Scholarships and Fellowships |
ScholarshipUniverse is GVSU's main website for finding and applying for scholarships. You can search by all kinds of filters and find matches for your major, minor, or other criteria.
|
-
new! Out to Innovate™ Scholarships. The Out to Innovate™ Scholarships, established in 2011, are intended for LGBTQ+ undergraduate students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) programs. The scholarships are designed to promote academic excellence and increased visibility of talented LGBTQ+ students in STEM careers. The application process has three sections: profile, application, and references. Two references are required: one of must be a faculty member who is familiar with your academic accomplishments; the other reference may be someone (a different faculty member, a volunteer supervisor, a mentor, a colleague) who is familiar with your community/volunteer activities. The application for the 2025/2026 scholarship cycle will open mid-April through the first Saturday of June. If you have any questions, contact the Program Coordinator at: scholarships@noglstp.org.
-
Alayont Undergraduate Research Fellowship in Mathematics. The Alayont Undergraduate Research Fellowship in Mathematics has been developed to provide financial support to students pursuing rigorous, independent scholarship during the academic year, mentored by a faculty member.
-
MI Future Educator Fellowship. The MI Future Educator Fellowship offers a $10,000 scholarship for future educators, renewable for up to three years. There is a commitment to teach in a Michigan school as part of the fellowship.
-
MI Future Educator Stipend. This stipend is for students in their teaching apprenticeship and student teaching internship semesters. Click the link or contact CECI's Office of Certification and Accreditation (OCA) details.
|
|
|
Research and graduate school opportunities |
-
REUs and Mentorship Programs. Most REU applications for Summer 2025 are due in January or February 2025. If you are interested in doing a REU next summer, start working on your applications now!
-
Advice for Applying to REU Programs (From Recent Participants!)
-
REU Master List. This page contains a listing of the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REUs) aimed at mathematics students that will plan to run in the summer of 2025. It is in spreadsheet format to make it easier for people to copy and sort through what they need to find. Much of this information overlaps with what can also be found at the NSF maintained list of REU sites and the AMS list of REU summer programs.
-
MathILy-EST is an NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) that is focused on beginning college students will take place at Bryn Mawr College from June 8th - Aug 2nd, 2025 (8 weeks). First-year college students are invited to apply, with second-year and entering college students also considered for participation. We particularly seek applicants who are members of groups underrepresented in mathematics, and have always admitted diverse cohorts. In 2025, the research topic will be combinatorial representation theory. To find out more: http://www.mathily.org/mathilyest. Applications are due April 2, 2025.
-
Combinatorics and Coding Theory in the Tropics / Combinatoria y Teoría de Códigos en el Trópico. An REU held at the University of Puerto Rico in Ponce and virtually from June 16 - August 15. Students work on research projects in coding theory, combinatorics, graph theory, parking functions, locally recoverable codes, and codes from finite geometries. Students from a wide variety of personal and academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Note that financial support is limited to US citizens or permanent residents. Apply through the NSF ETAP website here (click “Apply Now” at the top right corner of the page). The deadline to apply is April 12. For more information contact Fernando Piñero González at fernando.pinero1@upr.edu
- Opportunities to present your research: Here are some upcoming conferences and events where you could share your work! Talk with a research advisor or Dr. Short if you have questions.
-
new! Math for All Conference. Date: April 5, virtual and in-person at multiple satellite locations. In person locations include: Austin, Texas; Clemson, South Carolina; New Orleans, Louisiana; Boulder, Colorado; Corvallis, Oregon; and Salt Lake City, Utah. “The Math For All conference has the purpose of fostering inclusivity in mathematics by holding talks and discussions in both research and education. This conference will be targeted to undergraduate and graduate students, post-docs, and faculty members from all institutions and its main goal is to provide a friendly, open environment to learn and discuss mathematics.” To register for the virtual conference, fill out the registration form here. For any questions, please send an email to mathforallnola@gmail.com.
-
new! Mathematical Association of America (MAA) MathFest. Dates: August 6-9 in Sacramento, California. “Every summer, MAA MathFest presents the latest in mathematical research and education to diverse audiences worldwide. Connect with one of the largest annual gatherings of professionals in the mathematical sciences, sharing advances in research and teaching. Discover cutting-edge ideas shaping mathematics and its impact on the world. Enjoy programming for everyone—students, early-career professionals, educators, and teachers. Customize your experience with workshops, courses, and sessions to grow your skills and knowledge. Learn, network, and have fun with a mix of inspiring talks, hands-on activities, and social events.” For more information about registration, click the link here. Note that Early Bird Registration at discounted prices is available until April 15.
-
The GVSU Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship (OURS) provides travel grants for students. These are available for both students presenting at academic meetings and conferences, as well as for students who will be attending a conference with their faculty mentor. More information is available at the Academic Conference Fund and the Academic Professional and Educational Fund websites.
- Graduate school information: Interested in graduate school? Did you know that most math graduate programs are funded (that is, they pay you to complete a masters or doctorate)? Talk with your advisor (or Dr. Short) and use these resources too.
|
Extracurricular and other opportunities |
-
new! Career Paths in the Mathematical Sciences Workshop. Dates: May 29-30 at IMSI in Chicago, Illinois. A workshop held by IMSI, IMA, and the Math Alliance intended to give undergraduates who are planning to enter graduate programs in a mathematical or statistical science an understanding of a variety of application areas and career paths in the mathematical sciences. Students must be nominated to attend by faculty mentors who have agreed to guide them through the process of applying to graduate programs. If you are a student who is interested, feel free to share this opportunity with your faculty mentors! If you are a faculty member, you can nominate a student at the bottom of this page. There are also spots for mentors to attend.
-
new! National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath) Real Operational Outreach Training (ROOT) Program. The ROOT program includes a full-time, paid position in the Museum, where students will serve as docents in the Museum, work on mathematical outreach programs, enhance their mathematical knowledge, and more. Participants will receive compensation of up to $7,600 for ten weeks of service, free admission to most NYC museums, and discounts at Additions, the shop at MoMath. Accepted candidates who complete the program successfully will be given top priority for the Museum’s Exponent Fellowship upon graduation. If you are interested in applying to the Exponent Fellowship separately, the deadline is May 15. For more information about the ROOT Program and how to apply visit here. The deadline to apply is May 7.
-
new! Nesin Maths Village. Participate in the Summer Undergraduate and Graduate program to study abroad in the Nesin Mathematics Village in Turkey. In the summer, modules are offered lasting 1, 2 or 3 weeks and are taught by professors from around the world. It is recommended that prospective participants look at the module schedule for the summer before applying to the summer camps. To learn more about the program, courses offered, and the schedule, navigate to the page here. The application form can be found here.
-
Michigan MAA 2025 Annual Meeting will be held April 4 and 5 at Lake Superior State University.
-
Mentors for Wolfram High School Summer Research Program. An intensive two-and-a-half-week program where undergraduate mentors are hired to lead a team of 3-5 high-school students on their project and advance their programming and problem-solving skills. Through a curriculum of active-learning activities, hands-on workshops and lectures, students explore the power of modern computation and deep dive into STEM fields while gaining mastery of Wolfram Language, computational thinking and research skills. If you are passionate about STEM, confident coding in Wolfram Language/Mathematica, and interested in mentoring talented high schoolers, please apply here. Applications are due April 15.
-
Undergraduate Workshop in Discrete Groups in Topology and Algebraic Geometry. A program held at Notre Dame University that involves an Undergraduate Workshop (June 2-6), Graduate and Post-Doc week (June 9-13), and an International Conference Week (June 16-20). The Graduate and Post-Doc week will include several minicourses taught by professionals. If you are interested in attending the Undergraduate Workshop, the application can be found here. The deadline to apply for travel support is March 31. If you are interested in attending the Graduate and Post-Doc Week, the application can be found here. The deadline to apply for support is March 31. To attend the International Conference Week, apply here. The deadline to apply for support is March 31.
-
10th Lake Michigan Workshop on Combinatorics and Graph Theory will be held at University of Illinois Chicago on April 5 and 6, 2025. With the support of the NSF travel support is available for students. If you intend to seek such support, please register on the conference website before March 5. Registration is open now!
-
Mathematical Sciences Semesters in Guanajuato (MSSG) is a study-abroad opportunity. “Our semester based programs are an excellent option for STEM focused students to have a study abroad experience without putting their academic goals for the semester on hold.” Students can choose from the following courses in Mathematics during Summer 2025: (1) Data Driven Dynamic Modeling, (2) A Journey Through Data Science. Electives are available in all levels of Spanish and Mexico Culture and History as well. The MSSG also organizes a cultural calendar throughout the semester. Together these educational opportunities provide the students with a well-rounded academic experience while here in Guanajuato. Learn more about the upcoming program and potential future ones here, and apply here. Applications for the Summer and Fall terms have an early bird deadline on April 1, 2025 and a final deadline on April 15, 2025.
-
Infinite Possibilities Conference (IPC) (April 11-12, 2025). The Infinite Possibilities Conference (IPC) is a national conference designed to broaden participation in the mathematical sciences. IPC aims to foster a sense of community in mathematics among women from underserved populations and welcomes all mathematicians who feel they may contribute to or benefit from this event. Conference sessions are designed to showcase the infinite possibilities of mathematics to participants at all stages of the pipeline, from undergraduate and graduate students to professionals in academia, industry and government. IPC 2025 marks the 20th year of IPC programming! Registration Fee: There is a registration fee of $25 for students and $60 for non-students. There is a separate fee of $25 to attend the Saturday night banquet which includes the presentation of the Etta Z. Falconer Award for Mentoring and Commitment to Diversity. The fee(s) are payable after the application to attend is accepted. March 7, 2024 is the application deadline if you are requesting funding. Travel and Lodging Support: There is financial support available to help cover travel and lodging expenses for participants based in the United States. They can indicate their need for support when they apply.
-
Free professional memberships! GVSU students can get a free membership to the Mathematical Association of America (MAA), the world's largest community of mathematicians, students, and math enthusiasts. This membership looks good on your resume, gives you access to MAA journals and articles, and helps you build a network. To join for free, go to maa.org and click "Login" at the top right of the webpage. Choose to create a new account (or simply log in if you already have an account), add your school email address and other demographic information, and enter your institution's name as Grand Valley State University. Then go to portal.maa.org, click "Join MAA", select "Student Membership - $35 ($0 if at Departmental Member Institution)", and proceed to fill out your information, skip adding "Math Horizons - Print, etc." as these cost extra, and on the final screen verify that you have "Total: $0.00" and click "Complete Payment".
-
Hey Doc! Questions for the MAA Math Horizons. Do you have a burning question you've always wanted to ask your math professor? Now is your chance! Math Horizons, an undergraduate magazine of the MAA, is collecting questions that will be answered by our resident staff mathematician. All questions submitted are anonymous and may be answered in a Math Horizons issue.
|
|
|
Put these dates on your calendar!
|
|
|
Graduating Seniors: Tell us about your future!
|
|
|
Are you graduating this semester? Please share a bit of information with us! The button below will let you tell us about a job you're starting, grad school you're attending, and other info. This info helps us understand what our graduates do, keep in touch (occasionally!), and make our math major even better.
|
Please fill out the form by Friday April 25, but sooner is better!
|
|
|
If you have any questions about the newsletter, suggestions for things to add, or general advising questions, please email me!
Taylor Short
shorttay@gvsu.edu
Mathematics Advising and Engagement Coordinator
|
|
|
1 Campus Drive
A-2-178 Mackinac Hall
Allendale, MI 49401
Unsubscribe from future emails
|
|
|
|
