Collaborative Research: Enhancing Diversity in the Mathematics Graduate Applicant Pool

该项目在德克萨斯大学达拉斯分校(UTD)和德克萨斯大学格兰德河谷(UTRGV)的数学科学部门之间建立了合作伙伴关系。UTD位于一个正在经历强劲经济增长的地区，是一所多元化的大学，拥有充满活力的数学和统计博士项目。UTRGV是一个少数族裔服务机构(MSI)，有超过87%的西班牙裔学生，位于人口增长的地区。UTRGV目前没有数学科学博士课程。UTRGV本科生在攻读博士学位时面临的挑战是MSI的典型特征，包括学生缺乏对高级课程的准备，而高级课程是博士项目成功的先决条件，以及对数学科学和研究生入学过程中的职业缺乏认识。对于来自该地区的学生来说，格兰德河谷缺乏专业实习机会是一个特殊的挑战。这项建议解决了这些挑战，并为数学科学博士项目开发了一条可持续和可扩展的准备充分的申请者渠道，其中大多数人预计来自代表不足的群体。该项目将一些已知的基于证据的技术合并为一个连贯的计划，这些技术有助于增加代表不足的群体对博士课程的参与。它利用两所大学在主动学习教学法方面的技术和经验，在同步、混合的环境中提供最高级的本科课程。它的活动将通过严格和全面的评估过程不断得到评估。它的具体目标是：开发五门最高级的本科数学科学课程的混合版本；举办夏季新兵训练营，以培养研究、解决问题和沟通的技能；促进UTRGV和UTD学生和达拉斯-沃斯堡地区的行业之间的联系；帮助参与的教职员工和学生发展对隐性偏见的理解，并培训他们克服这种偏见。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The project establishes a partnership between the mathematical sciences units at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). UTD, situated in a region that is undergoing vigorous economic growth, is a diverse university with vibrant PhD programs in Mathematics and Statistics. UTRGV is a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), with over 87% Hispanic student body, located in a region experiencing population growth. UTRGV does not currently have a PhD program in Mathematical Sciences. The challenges faced by UTRGV undergraduate students vis-a-vis pursuing a doctoral program are typical of an MSI, including students' lack of preparation in advanced courses that are prerequisites for success in PhD programs and lack of awareness about careers in the Mathematical Sciences and graduate school admission process. A lack of professional internships in the Rio Grande Valley is a specific challenge for students from that area. This proposal addresses these challenges and develops a sustainable and scalable pipeline of well-prepared applicants, most of whom are expected to be from underrepresented groups, for PhD programs in the Mathematical Sciences.The project amalgamates a number of evidence-based techniques known to be effective in increasing participation of underrepresented groups in doctoral programs into one coherent program. It leverages the use of technology and experience at both universities in active learning pedagogy to offer the most advanced undergraduate courses in a synchronized, blended setting. Its activities will be continuously evaluated via a rigorous and comprehensive assessment process. Its specific aims are: to develop hybrid versions of five of the most advanced undergraduate Mathematical Sciences courses; to conduct summer boot camps to cultivate research, problem-solving, and communication skills; to facilitate connections between UTRGV and UTD students and industries in the Dallas-Fort Worth area; and to help participating faculty and students develop an understanding of implicit bias and train them to overcome it.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.