Immersive Experience for Mathematics Undergraduates: Mathematics Advanced Study Semesters Program at Penn State

数学高级学习学期(MASS)是宾夕法尼亚州立大学为来自全国各地的多达20名本科生提供的一个创新的、密集的秋季学期项目，该项目在夏季得到一个综合本科生研究项目的支持。MASS包括：代数/数论、分析/动力系统和几何/拓扑学领域的三门核心课程；一次跨学科研讨会；一系列学术讲座；以及每位参与者的三个研究项目。这些课程每年都是定制设计的。吸引人的座谈会演讲者来自全国各地，甚至是世界各地。麻省理工学院还为协助该项目的研究生实习生提供宝贵的培训机会。目前的提案将支持宾夕法尼亚州立大学2004-2005学年的大众项目和与大众相关的暑期活动。MASS将为参与的本科生提供一个身临其境的数学环境，将激励性的数学训练与开始数学研究相结合。大多数参与者将继续在数学或与数学相关的领域进行研究生学习。最初的课程材料将由美国数学学会出版，大众经验将在出版物中描述，目标是参与大学一级数学培训的广泛专业受众。

Mathematics Advanced Study Semesters (MASS) is an innovative, intensive, fall-semester program at Penn State for up to 20 undergraduate students from around the country, which is supported in the summer by an integrated undergraduate research program. MASS consists of: three core courses in the areas of algebra/number theory, analysis/dynamical systems and geometry/topology; an inter-disciplinary seminar; a colloquium lecture series; and three research projects per participant. The courses are custom-designed yearly. Engaging colloquium speakers are drawn from across the country and indeed around the world. MASS also offers valuable training opportunities to graduate student interns assisting in the program.The current proposal will support Penn State's MASS program and MASS-related summer activities during the 2004-5 academic year. MASS will offer participating undergraduate students an immersive mathematical environment, combining stimulating mathematical training with an initiation into mathematical research. Most participants will proceed to graduate study in mathematics or mathematics-related fields. Original course materials will be prepared for publication by the American Mathematical Society, and the MASS experience will be described in publications aimed at wide audiences of professionals involved in university-level mathematical training.