Welcome to the Columbia Undergraduate Mathematical Modeling Workshop (CUMMW)!
The Columbia Undergraduate Math Modeling Workshop (CUMMW) is open to Columbia and Barnard undergraduate students with an interest in applying mathematics to real-world problems. Participants will explore various aspects of scientific research, including project design, data analysis, mathematical modeling, simulation, literature review, scientific writing, and teamwork.
Workshop Goals:
- Introduce interdisciplinary skills essential for research.
- Foster collaboration and teamwork.
- Strengthen oral and written communication skills.
Students from all majors and mathematical backgrounds are welcome to participate.
CUMMW serves as a stepping stone for involvement in prestigious modeling competition like the Mathematical/Interdisciplinary Contest in Modeling (MCM/ICM) and the Columbia Mathematical Modeling Contest (CMMC). Moreover, it acts as a preparation ground for CSUREMM, the mathematical modeling summer program offered annually by the Department of Mathematics.
CUMMW offers three tracks for participants to tailor their experience:
- Individual Learning
- Access sample math modeling problems.
- Learn coding and LaTeX writing through tutorials and training modules in DataCamp.
- Attend seminar talks on mathematical modeling topics.
- Collaborative Team Work (Non-Competitive)
- Join a team to work collaboratively on math modeling problems.
- This tier is not linked to the MCM 2025 contest. No deadlines for progress submissions, and a mentor may be assigned.
- If you already have a team, ask your teammates to register. If not, we’ll assign you to a non-competitive team.
- MCM Competition Training
- Train for the MCM competition in a team of three.
- Don’t have a team? We’ll assign you or connect you with others looking for teammates.
- Your team will have a mentor and will complete four stages in preparation for the MCM. Teams completing all stages will be sponsored for the MCM competition. Deadlines are flexible but must be met to qualify.
Take advantage of this opportunity to broaden your horizons, refine your skills, and prepare for exciting mathematical challenges at CUMMW!
The 2024-2025 CUMMW workshop takes place runs November 15, 2024 to January 15, 2025.
To register, please follow this link.
The registration form will remain open through January, and participants will be added biweekly on Mondays and Thursdays.
However, if you wish to join a MCM competing team, you must sign up by December 15th.
Frequently Asked Questions
- I haven’t taken a lot of math/computing courses. Can I participate in the workshop and competition?
Yes, you can! We will offer introductory sessions in mathematical and statistical modeling. - Is there any prerequisite for participating?
No, there are no prerequisites. - I’m not a math major. Can I participate?
Yes, you can! The nature of the research undertaken in this program is interdisciplinary — non-math majors are very welcome! - I don’t know any programming. Is that okay?
Yes, that is completely fine. We will offer tutorials and resources that can help you familiarize yourself with the basics of programming. - What happens during the workshop sessions? Will we be learning about new mathematical models?
The workshop sessions are hands-on and focus on introducing you to the mathematical modeling process through working in groups on sample modeling tasks. In each session, you will be introduced to the basics of a new topic or mathematical model and then, under the guidance of your mentor, you and your team will work on sample questions using this basic model. You will also be provided with further references to learn about the model more deeply in your own time. The workshop sessions will also introduce you to computation and simulation tools, as well as to scientific writing practices. - Do I have to participate in the workshop in order to participate in MCM/ICM competition?
No, you do not have to. You can participate in the workshop as frequently as you like or not at all. However, only the teams that participate and complete the training within the workshop will be sponsored for the MCM/ICM competition. - Where can I find more info about the workshop/competition?
The Zoom info session in December will provide additional information about the workshop and the modeling competitions. More information on the MCM/ICM competition can be found here. We will organize an additional information session at the beginning of the workshop, in January 2023. - When are the hands-on seminars scheduled?
The seminars will be scheduled on Wednesdays evenings from January 3rd to January 31th. The seminars will be held online, over Zoom. Additional training sessions will be organized by the program mentors. These can be either in-person or online. - Do I need to form a team to participate in the workshop/competition?
You don’t need to part of a team to participate in the workshop, but you will have to form a team of three to participate in the MCM/ICM competition. If you do not currently have a team, you are encouraged to attend the workshop training sessions to meet potential teammates. - How and when do I sign up for the competition?
Please see Contest Rules, Registration and Instructions. We will be registering the teams that successfully complete the workshop.
Other Questions?
Please contact George Dragomir or Ivan Corwin.
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