Dear Colleagues,


The Groups & Dynamics RTG at UT Austin is once again organizing a Summer 2024 DRP (Directed Reading Program) for which we are hoping to recruit advanced undergrads across Texas (though they need to be US citizens or permanent residents). The DRP pairs undergraduates with (UT Austin) graduate students to read advanced material outside of the usual curriculum. Each student meets with their graduate student mentor for two 1-hour sessions each week from May 28 -- July 14. 

The students are expected to spend 3 hours reading between these sessions. There will be some common get togethers/seminars among the participants (via zoom) -- that will be optional but which they should find interesting. There will be a final get together where the students give 15-minute presentations on their reading. We assume that meetings between students will be done via Zoom, but we are happy to consider alternative arrangements where zoom is not readily available. We’re offering a 1K stipend for each undergraduate participant (again, it can only go to US citizens and permanent residents because of NSF rules). We’re looking for strong undergraduates across the state, and we’re especially encouraging students from underrepresented groups to apply.  

UT has been running the DRP program during the Fall and Spring semesters for a number of years now for UT Austin students, and it has often proven a very good experience for both undergrad and grad student. One of the strengths of the DRP is that it is a chance for the undergraduate to get an inside look at graduate school, and part of the job of the graduate student this summer will be to give them some guidance about applying to graduate schools. So ideally the students will be in the summer of their junior year, but others will be considered. We have funds for about 15 pairs for this summer's program.

If you know an undergraduate who might be suitable and interested,  would you email them this link?


https://sites.cns.utexas.edu/utgd/directed-reading-program


Directed Reading Program | UT Groups & Dynamics RTG

What is the DRP? The Directed Reading Program (DRP) is a summer program run by the Groups & Dynamics RTG. The DRP pairs undergraduate math students with graduate student mentors in order to undertake independent study projects in a mathematical topic of their choosing.

We ask the student to supply the name of a reference. The reference does not have to submit a letter (and in fact there is no place for such a submission). We will contact the reference for a quick email statement if needed. 


If you know of another faculty member that we should contact about this, please either forward this email to them or let me know. Of course, if you have questions, let me know.


Thanks for your help,

Lewis

PS: The organizers are Lewis Bowen, Jianlong Liu, John Luecke, Will Stagner.