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BSU
Mathematics Research Presentations
Guidelines
These guidelines are intended to
describe the goals of the course, to describe a general process useful in completing
the course, and to clarify the responsibilities of the student and the
advisor.
Goals
1. Students will gain experience
working independently on a problem that is beyond the normal scope of the
course.
2. Students will present mathematical work to a general audience.
Process
1. Problem Section.
Students need to keep the
Research Project and Presentation requirement in mind when registering during
their junior and senior years. The student and instructor will consult on the
topic or application to be researched. In some cases the instuctor will
assign a particular topic to a student, whereas in other cases, the student
may locate their own topic.
2. The Research
a. Understand the Problem.
Become familiar with examples, similar problems and propositions related to
the problem.
b. Background Investigation. Who first considered this problem? Are
there interesting biographies of mathematicians who have worked on this
problem? Are there open questions related to this problem.
c. Research. Next, the student should engage in independent research
on the problem. Locate, read and understand the literature related to the
problem. Be prepared to cite sources. If there is something the student is
unable to figure out, the instructor will be willing and prepared to provide
direction to the student.
3. The Presentation
a. The student, in consultation
with their instructor, shall select and organize the items from their
research that they wish to present. consider carefully the nature of the
audience and select material and modes of presentation appropriate to an
audience of undergraduate mathematics majors.
b. Methods of presentation may include overheads, Power Point, or calculator
programs. Visual aids such as posters and three-dimensional objects should be
used when appropriate.
c. Students should work to keep their audience engaged in the topic. Seek a
balance between examples and theory. After a difficult point is presented,
pull the audience back in with an interesting aspect of the problem or with
an historical vignette.
d. Practice the presentation with the instructor. Other students and
professors may be asked to give informal input at this same time.
e. Present in a public forum. Faculty and other students will be in
attendance. This presentation is scheduled for an hour during the school
week. Students are encouraged also to give a presentation at the Student
Scholarship and Creative Achievement Day in April.
Click Here to view
photos from previous presentations.
Click Here to view titles of past presentations.
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