An accelerated research and study program for undergraduates in mathematics

鼓励本科生在数学科学领域选择职业的过程必须尽早开始。在这个过程中，已经走上这条职业道路的研究人员的指导是必不可少的。七年前，我们在数学系开始了这样的试点项目。在美国国家科学基金会过去三年的支持下，以及UAB提供的大量新资源的支持下，UAB数学快速通道项目已经确定，支持和指导了优秀的数学学生进入大学（以及之前）。这些学生一直沉浸在一个刺激的研究型环境中，随着他们能力的增长，他们对数学的兴趣也保持着新鲜感。该计划的主要内容是由在数学研究方面表现出色的教师进行密集指导，每个学期为每个学生提供独立的研究/学习项目，具有挑战性的数学课程，个人和团体服务项目，以及数学和数学研究伦理研讨会。关键词是互动和参与：学生之间和学生与导师之间。学生完成数学学士学位和硕士学位，满足所有文科课程要求，并为进一步的数学科学研究生工作和研究做好充分准备。在过去的三年里，我们已经证明了我们的理念可以在更大的学生群体中发挥作用。我们正在向国家科学基金会申请补充资金，并从UAB获得大量新的匹配资金，以使该项目达到可持续的数量（每年4到5名新学生，在项目的各个阶段接近20名）。其结果将是一个持续的项目，在UAB和社区的数学科学结构中占据重要地位。

The process of encouraging undergraduates to select career choices in the mathematical sciences must begin as early as possible. Mentoring by research faculty already in such career paths is indispensible in this process. We began such a pilot program in the Mathematics Department seven years ago. With support from NSF the last three years, and substantial commitment of new resources from UAB, the UAB Fast-Track Program in Mathematics has identified, supported, and mentored outstanding mathematics students as (and before) they enter the university. These students have been immersed in a stimulating research-oriented environment, one which keeps their interest in mathematics fresh as their competence grows.The principal ingredients in the program are intensive mentoring by faculty who are outstanding in mathematics research, an independent research/study project each academic term for each student, a challenging mathematics curriculum, individual and group service projects, and seminars in mathematics and in the ethics of mathematical research. The key words are intereaction and participation: among students and between students and mentors. Students complete a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in mathematics, meeting all liberal arts course requirements, and are well-prepared for, and eager to pursue, further graduate work and research in the mathematical sciences.In the past three years, we have proven that our concept can work with a larger group of students. We are requesting supplemental funding from NSF, with substantial new matching from UAB, to bring the program up to sustainable numbers (four to five new students per year, nearing 20 in all phases of the program). The result will be a continuing program occupying a vital place in the fabric of the mathematical sciences at UAB and in the community.