MME Information for UCD Undergraduate Students

Program Description
• Course Information
• Program Goals
• Important Dates
• Competition Information
• Application (Now Closed)
• Frequently Asked Questions

Program Description

The UC Davis Math Modeling Experience (MME) is a hands-on introduction to dynamic research topics and state-of-the-art methods in applied mathematics. Through a seminar course, an interactive workshop, and participation in a national team modeling contest, MME students broaden their view of what math can do, practice important research and teamwork skills, and gain leadership experience. An application is required (available on this page); in Fall 2007, 9 undergraduates will participate in the MME. MME Participants:
1. Enroll in the MME Seminar course (MAT192 or MAT92, 3 units P/NP)
2. Mentor high school students during the MME Saturday workshop. (undergraduates choose 4 Saturday mornings during the fall)
3. Compete in the prestigious Mathematical Contest in Modeling in February 2008.

Course Information

Undergraduate MME participants register for MAT192 for 3 units of credit (P/NP). (Students who don't have upperclass status register for MAT92.) The course is a weekly seminar, meeting at 12:00-12:50 on Fridays.

Undergraduates will be broken down into groups of 3 people. Each group will be assigned a Graduate Student Instructional Advisor with whom they will meet as a group once a week outside of class. This meeting will be used to work on and discuss course projects and upcoming Saturday High School Lessions.

Each group and their Graduate Student Instructional Advisor will be responsible for creating and presenting one of the Saturday High School Lessons. Over the quarter, students will complete 8 Projects. Two of these projects will be on topics presented by Guest Faculty. Math and science professors will join our class bringing a problem from their field for you to investigate. During one week, our class will study mathematical preliminaries and other ideas necessary to understand our guest's problem, and during the following week you will discuss your math modeling and problem-solving ideas with the guest.

Students will also give ashort group oral presentation of their work at the Math Department'sGraduateStudent-Run Seminar. (This is excellent practice for giving a talk or a posterpresentation at one ofthe many venues for undergraduate research that you will find out about during the course.)

On Saturday mornings during the fall, high school students come to the UC Davis campus to learn about math modeling. MAT192 students will sign up to mentor these bright, inquisitive students on 4 Saturdays during the fall. The math modeling topics we discuss with the high school students will echo those we've been studying in MAT192. Teaching these new ideas to the younger students is a sure-fire way to check your own understanding!

The international Mathematical Contest in Modeling is held each year in February. Although the fall term will be over by then, MAT192 students will reconvene, form 3-person teams, and enjoy a long weekend of intense math modeling!

Program Goals

The Math Modeling Experience emphasizes the "vertical integration" of research and education, bringing together high school students, undergraduates, graduate students, and math department faculty. Our goals for undergraduate participants are:

1. Get hands-on research experience by exploring a variety of cutting-edge research questions in applied mathematics.

Guest faculty will present research topics and mathematical methods during the MME seminar. Rather than just listening to a lecture,students will do their own investigations on each topic and then discuss their ideas with the faculty. Sample topics include linear programming for building evacuation, differential equations for crime scene investigation, or graph theory for Internet file-sharing technology.

2. Build strong research and professional skills in computing, writing, and presentation.

Computer programming is a necessary skill for all scientists, and stronger skills let you explore more creative ideas. Computing assignments will bring students up to speed with spreadsheets and MATLAB software. Students who are already proficient at computing will be encouraged to use the language of their choice to write more advanced programs.

What is the sound of one hand clapping? Perhaps it is the same as the sound of scientific research that has been completed but is never written into a report or presented in a talk. Writing and speaking are essential skills in all fields. Scientific presentations have their own rules, and learning them makes your job easier! You'll also find out about opportunities to present student research at local and national conferences.

3. Gain teamwork and leadership experience.

Employers and graduate schools want to know: Can you work collaboratively? Do you take initiative? Our students will be able to answer with a resounding "yes." The MCM team competition (3 students per team) hinges on cooperation, and we will practice teamwork in many assignments leading up to the competition. Working with younger students shows that you have confidence and competence, and are willing to take on a leadership role.

Important Dates