VIGRE - An Integrated Program of Mathematics Research and Education at The University of Michigan

密歇根大学VIGRE计划的目的是加快发展的教育和研究的综合计划在一个高评价的研究计划在一个大型州立大学的设置与关注各级教育的悠久传统。为了最大限度地利用我们部门的优势和兴趣的多样性，我们设计了一个分散的计划，该计划由相互关联的较小规模活动网络组成。我们的计划是通过相信部门不同群体之间的密切联系-特别是与高级教师-是我们的学生和初级同事的智力和专业发展的最有效的催化剂，我们试图促进和最大限度地提高这些接触在各个层面。 我们的VIGRE计划连接并增强了几个现有的部门计划和活动，特别是应用和跨学科数学的新博士课程，以及蓬勃发展的精算和REU计划。 在本科阶段，我们计划首先通过任命几个REU集成商来扩展和统一现有的REU计划，以便在夏季将学生聚集在一起，并为学生提供更多的机会在学期期间继续他们的项目。 在研究生阶段，我们的目标是让学生更快、更充分地融入数学系的数学文化，并扩大他们对数学专业的看法。我们打算通过三种机制来实现这一目标：专业研讨会，教学或研究学徒，以及数学交流，教学或研究的非传统经验。 亲研讨会将包括一年级和二年级研究生与一系列高级教师的非正式每周会议。 进入VIGRE培训生将完成教学或研究学徒，再次由高级教师监督。研究学徒将涉及参与由学生，博士后和教师组成的综合研究小组，共同研究共同关注的相关问题。最后，高级VIGRE学员将完成一个非传统的数学交流，教学或研究项目。 例如，学生可以通过准备书面或口头数学论述的重要部分，或通过作为REU集成商来满足这一要求。我们还打算每周举办一次针对高年级本科生和研究生的VIGRE研讨会。在博士后层面，VIGRE将加强本系已经非常活跃的博士后学者计划。适度和多样化的教学职责将使我们的初级同事在各种课堂情况下的经验，同时留下充足的时间专注于研究，并最大限度地受益于部门非常活跃的数学生活。VIGRE研究员将参加一系列由高级教师领导的专业研讨会，旨在帮助他们“学习专业知识”。作为一种机制，以帮助博士后发展独立的研究计划，高级教师将直接参与研讨会集中在开放的问题。

AbstractUniversity of Michigan The University of Michigan VIGRE program aims to accelerate the evolution of an integrated program of education and research in the setting of a highly rated research program at a large state university with a long tradition of concern for education at all levels. In order to make maximal use of the great diversity of strengths and interests in our department, we have designed a decentralized program consisting of a network of interconnected smaller scale activities. Our plans are informed by the belief that close contact among different groups in the department- particularly with senior faculty-is the most effective catalyst for the intellectual and professional development of our students and junior colleagues, and we attempt to foster and maximize these contacts at all levels. Our VIGRE program connects with and augments several existing departmental initiatives and activities, notably a new doctoral program in Applied and Interdisciplinary Mathematics, and flourishing actuarial and REU programs. At the undergraduate level, we plan first to extend and unify the existing REU program through the appointment of several REU Integrators to bring students together during the summer, and to provide greater opportunities for students to continue their projects during term time. Extended possibilities for teaching apprenticeships and internships are also part of the program.At the graduate level, our goal is to immerse students more quickly and fully in the mathematical culture of the department, and to expand their view of the mathematical profession. We intend to accomplish this through three mechanisms: Pro-Seminars, Teaching or Research Apprenticeships, and Non-Traditional Experiences in Mathematics Communication, Teaching or Research. The pro-seminars will involve informal weekly meetings of first and second year graduate students with a spectrum of senior faculty. Incoming VIGRE Trainees will complete teaching or research apprenticeships, again overseen by senior faculty. The research apprenticeships will involve participating in integrated research groups consisting of students, postdocs and faculty working together on related problems with a common focus. Finally, advanced VIGRE Trainees will complete a non-traditional project in mathematical communication, teaching or research. For example, students can fulfill this requirement by preparing a significant piece of written or oral mathematical exposition, or by serving as REU Integrators. We also intend to institute a weekly VIGRE seminar aimed at advanced undergraduate and graduate students.At the postdoctoral level, VIGRE will enhance an already very active program of postdoctoral scholars in the department. Modest and varied teaching duties will give our junior colleagues experience in a variety of classroom situations, while leaving ample time to focus on research and to benefit maximally from the very active mathematical life of the department. VIGRE Fellows will participate in a series of Pro-Seminars, led by senior faculty, designed to help them "learn the ropes" of the profession. As a mechanism to help postdocs develop independent research programs, senior faculty will direct participating seminars focusing on open problems.