Mathematics at Geneseo

These are notes from the Geneseo Mathematics Forum of Fall '05, written by Co-President of Prism, Matthias Youngs (mly3@geneseo.edu).

Opportunities at Geneseo for Undergraduate Math Majors/Minors:

BIOMATH:
-Applications in experimental and theoretical biology, DNA computing, bimolecular computing, and more.
-Good courses to take are Calculus 1-3, Discrete Math, Probability and Statistics, Combinatorics, a course in Linear Algebra, Genetics, or a computer language.
-Funding is available, especially for upper classmen.
-During the fall 2005 semester there is a biomath seminar at Milne at 5:00 (contact Dr. Anthony Macula at macula@geneseo.edu for more information). This is required for participants.
-Website: http://biomath.geneseo.edu/
-In the spring of 2006, Modeling Biological Systems will most likely be offered.
-There will most likely also be summer research after the spring semester!

ACTUARY
-“An actuary serves as a statistician and mathematician in performing the mathematics involved in designing insurance and pension funds.?br> - Through Dr. Chi-Ming Tang (tang@geneseo.edu)
-Dr. Tang has books to borrow and can help you to get ready for the Actuary Exams.
-Good courses are Calculus 1-3, Linear Algebra, Probability and Statistics 1-2, and MATH 366 (366 is a must!). Also Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, and Accounting & Finance.
-You will take Exam P (Probability).
-Scholarships and Actuarial Training Programs are available through St. Paul Travelers.
-Recruiting & Internships: New York City and Hartford, Connecticut are the two major centers of insurance activity in the USA. The annual Actuarial Career Day takes place in January every year in New York City. This is hosted by the Actuarial Society of Greater New York.
-For further information visit SOA (http://www.soa.org), CAS (http://www.casact.org), ASNY (http://www.goasny.org), and Be An Actuary (http://www.beanactuary.org).

REU
-REU is the acronym for Research Experience Undergraduate.
-REU’s are funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).
-Eligible applicants are PAID to do research at a college in the USA.
-There are many areas of research. These include, Number Theory, Computational Mathematics, Graph Theory, Differential Geometry, Knot Theory, and Applied Mathematics & Physics, and more.
-Go to http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.cfm to find a college in the USA that is offering something that you may be interested in studying for the summer.
-You will have the opportunity to publish papers, go to conferences, make new friends, travel, and get more mathematical exposure.
-If you are considering going to graduate school, it is strongly recommended that you try to get into an REU so that you know what mathematical research is all about.
-Your professor may also have some suggestions for REU’s.

OTHER RESEARCH
-Dr. Jeff Johannes welcomes students to come to him if they are interested in doing research. He may have a problem for you or at least be able to point you in the right direction.
-Contact Dr. Johannes at johannes@geneseo.edu.
-Some of Dr. Johannes research interests are in the following:
Knot Theory
Math and Music
History of Mathematics
-If you are interested in learning about something that Geneseo is not offering as a MATH course, you may want to also consider doing a directed study with a teacher. Directed studies are basically research that you get credit for.

TUTORING
-Ms. Susan McKenna (mckenna@geneseo.edu) is the coordinator of the Mathematics Learning Center (MLC) on campus.
-Ms. McKenna is always looking for gifted tutors. So if you are interested in tutoring, you should contact her and she if she has a job opening for you.
-You should take Calculus 1 and 2 before even considering applying for a job. A large amount of visitors to the MLC need help in these two classes.
-Tutoring is great for anyone who is considering becoming a teacher. It makes you adapt to different learning styles and teaches you to relate well to those you are tutoring (teaching).
-You do get paid to tutor ?which helps out with little expenses that college students have.
-Finally, often the tutor learns more from tutoring than those that he/she is tutoring. It is a great review for the classes that you are going to have to remember for later in your life.

MAA SEAWAY SECTION
-The Mathematics Association of America is having the Seaway Section here at Geneseo this October 28-29!
-Website: MAA Seaway Website or the Geneseo's Seaway Website
-This is a big deal for Geneseo!
-If you are interested in helping out with such things as registration or you want to give a talk, you should contact Dr. Melissa Southerland at sutherm@geneseo.edu or Dr. Jeff Johannes at johannes@geneseo.edu.
-We are also considering doing a student workshop in one of the following:
How to draw Celtic Knots
Compass/Straight Edge Art
String Design
All the above fall under the category of Mathematical Design. You could be involved!

If you have any questions or would like more information, contact the references given under each section or email prism@geneseo.edu.

Thank you.