Directed Reading Program in Mathematics

Mathematics Undergraduate Program

The Directed Reading Program is a program in which undergraduate students are paired with graduate student mentors for semester-long independent study projects. It runs each semester and during the summer.

Current and past pairings
Resources for mentees
Resources for mentors (access restricted)

The date and location for the Fall 2009 presentations have yet to be determined.

To apply: Application form. Applications (and letters of recommendation) for Fall 2009 are due on Tuesday, September 15.

Applicants who are selected for DRP positions will be paired with mentors based on mathematical interests and availability. Once paired, the mentee and mentor jointly decide on a specific topic of study. Most projects are based on a particular book or article that the mentee reads at his/her own pace, guided and supplemented by the mentor. For ideas, sample projects and past projects are available.

Requirements. Each mentee meets weekly with his/her mentor for about an hour. The details of these meetings are left up to the mentee/mentor pairs; they might include presentations by the mentee, informal lecturing by the mentor, general discussion, questions about exercises, etc. In addition to the meetings, the mentee is expected to work independently for at least four hours each week. At the end of the semester, each student gives a 15–20 minute presentation on a topic they have studied. This presentation is to be widely accessible and is meant to be introductory rather than a time to "show off" with highly technical material: It is far better to give a survey of several interesting theorems than one detailed proof.

Qualifications. Applicants must have completed 640:300 Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning. Applicants must be self motivated and capable of sustaining an independent study project for the duration of the semester. If mentors are in short supply, applicants with less background may be asked to re-apply the following semester.

About the DRP. The Directed Reading Program is modeled after a similar program at the University of Chicago. It first ran at Rutgers in Summer 2005. The graduate student coordinators of the DRP can be reached at .