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

密歇根大学VIGRE计划旨在加速教育和研究综合计划的发展，在一所具有长期关注各级教育传统的大型州立大学中建立一个高度评价的研究计划。为了最大限度地利用我们部门的各种优势和兴趣，我们设计了一个分散的项目，由相互关联的小规模活动网络组成。我们的计划是基于这样一种信念，即系内不同群体之间的密切联系——尤其是与资深教员之间的密切联系——是学生和初级同事智力和专业发展的最有效催化剂，我们试图在各个层面上促进并最大限度地发挥这些联系。我们的VIGRE计划连接并增加了几个现有的部门倡议和活动，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课程。在本科阶段，我们计划首先通过任命几个REU整合者来扩展和统一现有的REU项目，在夏季将学生聚集在一起，并为学生在学期期间继续他们的项目提供更多的机会。扩大教学学徒和实习的可能性也是该计划的一部分。在研究生阶段，我们的目标是让学生更快、更全面地融入本系的数学文化，拓展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，教学或研究学徒制，以及数学交流，教学或研究的非传统经验。支持研讨会将包括每周一次的非正式会议，由一年级和二年级的研究生与一系列资深教师组成。新来的VIGRE学员将完成教学或研究学徒，同样由资深教师监督。研究学徒将包括参加由学生、博士后和教师组成的综合研究小组，共同关注相关问题。最后，VIGRE高级学员将完成一个数学交流、教学或研究方面的非传统项目。例如，学生可以通过准备一篇重要的书面或口头数学论述来满足这一要求，或者通过担任REU整合者来满足这一要求。我们还打算为高级本科生和研究生开设每周一次的VIGRE研讨会。在博士后水平，VIGRE将加强本部门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环境中获得经验，同时留下充足的时间专注于研究，并最大限度地从部门非常活跃的数学生活中受益。VIGRE研究员将参加一系列由资深教师领导的专业研讨会，旨在帮助他们“掌握专业知识”。作为一种帮助博士后发展独立研究项目的机制，资深教师将指导参与的以开放性问题为重点的研讨会。

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.