EMSW21-MCTP: Penn State MASS Program

宾夕法尼亚州立大学的MASS项目（数学高级研究学期）是一项为期一个学期的密集活动，面向从全国各地招募的本科生，与夏季REU项目（本科生研究经验）相结合。麻省理工学院由三个定制的核心课程组成，这些课程的主题从代数、分析和几何中选择，每门课程都有口头期末考试，每周举行一次麻省理工学院跨学科研讨会和麻省理工学院学术讨论会，每周由访问数学家举行一系列讲座。这个项目总共有16个荣誉学分。MASS主要针对大三和大四学生，每年秋季学期进行。PMASS（预备数学高级学习学期）将在春季学期进行，主要服务于大二学生或通过过渡到证明阶段的大一新生。PMASS将包括三个核心课程：离散数学或代数、分析和几何、一个问题解决研讨会和一个两周一次的系列讲座。REU包括个人或小组研究项目，每周研讨会，主题2周迷你课程和项目结束时的MASS Fest会议。MASS项目为参与者提供了独特的、相互加强的学习和研究活动。它的目标是保证学生从本科到研究生的数学学习的成功过渡。MASS的参与者通常在进入该项目之前对高等数学的接触有限，他们带着在研究生院取得成功所需的经验和信心离开。MASS项目非常有效地增加了选择数学和相关领域职业的学生人数。PMASS的目标受众是具有基本数学素养的学生，他们的专业是精确科学、工程、教育。PMASS将与这些学生接触核心数学主题和思维方式，教他们理解，交流和应用基本的数学概念，并鼓励他们中的一些人选择数学职业道路。原MASS教材由美国数学学会在学生数学图书馆出版（已出版5本，3本在不同的准备阶段）；这种传播工作将继续使更广泛的数学界受益。

Penn State's MASS program (Mathematics Advanced Study Semesters) is an intensive, semester-long activity for undergraduates recruited from around the country, integrated with summer REU program (Research Experience for Undergraduates). MASS consists of three custom-made core courses in topics chosen from algebra, analysis and geometry with oral final examinations for each course, a weekly MASS interdisciplinary Seminar and MASS Colloquium, a weekly lecture series by visiting mathematicians. The program totals 16 honors credits. MASS is aimed primarily at juniors and seniors and is run every fall semester. PMASS (Preparatory Mathematics Advanced Study Semesters) will take place in the spring semester and serve mostly sophomores or advanced freshmen passing through the transition-to-proofs stage. PMASS will consist of three core courses in discrete mathematics or algebra, analysis and geometry, a problem solving seminar and a biweekly lecture series. REU consists of individual or small-group research projects, a weekly seminar, topics 2-week mini-courses and MASS Fest conference at the end of the program.MASS program provides a unique and mutually reinforcing blend of learning and research activities for its participants. Its goal is to guarantee the successful transition of its students from undergraduate to graduate study in mathematics. MASS participants often enter the program with limited prior exposure to advanced mathematics, and they exit with the experience and confidence they need to succeed in graduate school. The MASS program very effectively increases the number of students choosing careers in mathematics and related fields. The target audience for PMASS are students with basic mathematical literacy and whose intended major is in exact sciences, engineering, education. PMASS will engage these students with core mathematical topics and ways of thinking, teach them to understand, communicate and apply basic mathematical concepts, and encourage some of them to choose a mathematical career path. The original MASS course material was published by the American Mathematical Society in the Student Mathematical LIbrary (5 books published, 3 in various stages of preparation); this dissemination effort will continue to benefit the broader mathematical community.