Science Department Awarded $24,000 Grant from Associated Colleges of the South

June 6, 2006

The math and computer science department at the University of Richmond has been awarded a $24,000 grant from the Associated Colleges of the South (ACS) for undergraduate research.

Funds were provided to ACS’s undergraduate collaborative research and engagement program by the Robert W.Woodruff Foundation, whose new models program encourages research collaboration among students and faculty.

Kathy Hoke, associate professor of mathematics; and William Ross, professor of mathematics, submitted a proposal titled “LURE: Long-term Undergraduate Research Experience,” in which mathematics faculty will engage in a two-year research experience with undergraduates. Research projects spanning two summers and two academic years will involve four faculty members each mentoring two students.

The objective is to attract interested and qualified students to mathematics in their first year at the university and help them transition from classroom mathematics to research mathematics. It also is designed to prepare students for more challenging coursework and graduate school. Each member of the mathematics faculty has volunteered to serve as a mentor in the program.