The Columbia/Barnard Mathematics Department announces that it will award up to six VIGRE scholarships to undergraduate mathematics majors at Columbia College, the Engineering School, the School of General Studies, or Barnard College. These scholarships are partially supported by N.S.F.

Application deadline: February 21, 2003

The primary purpose of the VIGRE scholarship is to support undergraduate research in mathematics. VIGRE scholars will be integrated into the I.I. Rabi scholarship program, and will partake in the Rabi lecture series, which brings world-renowned mathematicians and scientists from all fields to the Columbia campus, as well as a series of dinners and regular meetings with members of the Rabi steering committee. Other purposes are to improve oral and written presentation skills in mathematics and to improve teaching skills.

The two-year program for students who are currently sophomores You will be assigned a faculty mentor as soon as you are admitted to the program. The three sophomore VIGRE scholars will participate in a group research project this summer. During your junior year (2003-2004) you will engage in a research project with your mentor. During the summer of 2004 you will continue this project as an individual research project. Finally during your senior year (2004-05) you will write up your results in a senior honors thesis. If you are a sophomore, you should be aware that successful candidates in the past have already taken at least on upper level math course, such as Introduction to Modern Algebra (Math W4041-W4042).

The one-year program for students who are currently juniors You will be assigned a faculty mentor as soon as you are admitted to the program. This summer you will engage in a research project, which you will continue into your senior year when you will write it up as an honors senior thesis.

Program benefits

1. You will be a teaching or research assistant in the mathematics department, at a salary of about $3000 per academic year.
2. You will receive a summer stipend of about $3,000 for a ten-week research project, as well as free housing in a Columbia residence hall.
3. You will receive up to $1000 each year to defray travel and research costs such as books and computer software.

Conditions of eligibility

1. You must be a U.S. national (either a U.S. citizen or a Permanent Resident);
2. You must be either a sophomore or a junior at either Columbia College, the Engineering School, the School of General Studies or Barnard College;
3. You must be a declared mathematics major;
4. You may not already be a Rabi Scholar. However Rabi scholars who are interested in doing a mathematics summer project should get in touch with Professor Robert Friedman ( rf@math.columbia.edu ).

Applications should be sent, via e-mail, to Professor Katherine Crowley ( crowley@math.columbia.edu ) with a copy to Professor Robert Friedman (rf@math.columbia.edu ). It should contain:

1. A one-page statement of interest. What interests you in mathematics? What makes you think that you may be interested in doing research in mathematics? Have you already completed any special projects in mathematics? Have you taught or tutored mathematics?
2. A list of all the courses you have taken towards the major in mathematics, including courses in progress, together with grades and names of the instructor.
3. The names of two faculty members in the Columbia/Barnard Mathematics Department who know you well.
4. A description of your background in programming Mathematica, C, C++, Java, or HTML. It is not necessary to have any prior background in any of these to be successful in this program: this is just for our information.
5. Any other information that will allow us to assess your interest in mathematics and your ability to do research in mathematics. Materials that cannot be mailed electronically can be sent by local mail to the the VIGRE Undergraduate Selection Committee, c/o Mary Young, 410 mathematics, MC: 4426.