Collaborative Research: Enhancing Diversity in the Mathematics Graduate Applicant Pool

该项目将在德克萨斯大学达拉斯分校（UTD）和德克萨斯大学格兰德谷分校（UTRGV）的数学科学部门之间建立伙伴关系。UTD位于一个经济蓬勃发展的地区，是一所多元化的大学，在数学和统计学方面拥有充满活力的博士课程。UTRGV是一所少数民族服务机构（MSI），拥有超过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本科生在攻读博士课程时面临的挑战是典型的MSI，包括学生缺乏在高级课程上的准备，这些课程是成功攻读博士课程的先决条件，缺乏对数学科学职业和研究生入学过程的认识。在人口众多的格兰德山谷，缺乏专业实习机会对来自该地区的学生来说是一个特别的挑战。该项目解决了这些挑战，并开发了一个可持续的、可扩展的、准备充分的申请人管道，其中大多数人预计将来自代表性不足的群体，攻读数学科学博士课程。该项目将一些已知的循证技术整合到一个连贯的项目中，这些技术可以有效地提高代表性不足群体在博士项目中的参与度。它充分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先进的本科课程。将通过严格和全面的评估过程不断评价其活动。其具体目标是：开发五门最先进的本科数学科学课程的混合版本；举办暑期训练营，以培养研究、解决问题和沟通技巧；促进达拉斯-沃斯堡地区UTRGV和UTD学生和行业之间的联系；并帮助参与的教师和学生了解隐性偏见，并训练他们克服这种偏见。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This project will establish 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 project 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.