EMSW21-MCTP: Penn State MASS Program

Penn State's MASS program (Mathematics Advanced Study

Semesters) is an intensive, semester-long activity for

undergraduates recruited from around the country, which is

integrated with a summer undergraduate research activity.

MASS is designed to provide a unique and mutually

reinforcing blend of learning and research activities for

its participants. Its goal is to guarantee the successful

transition of its participants from undergraduate to

graduate study in mathematics.

The main components of MASS are: three custom-designed core

courses in topics chosen from algebra, analysis and

geometry; individual student research projects; the MASS

colloquium - a weekly lecture series by visiting

mathematicians and occasionally distinguished Penn State

faculty; and a weekly two-hour interdisciplinary seminar run

by the director of the MASS program. MASS participants

acquire the experience and confidence they need to succeed

in graduate school. In this way MASS program will increase

the number of students destined for careers in mathematics.

The present project will support the operation of the MASS

program for a five year period, and will incorporate the

following new elements: the program's size will be expanded

and the program will target talented students not previously

committed to mathematics with attractive support packages.