Mission of the Conference
The LA-TX Undergraduate Mathematics Conference is a forum for sharing undergraduate research activities in mathematics among the University of Houston, Texas A&M University, and Louisiana State University. We believe that traveling to present, hear, and share mathematics generates enthusiasm and stimulates the intellect, in turn preparing undergraduate students for life after graduation, whether it be post-graduate studies or employment in research laboratories or industry.
Activities
The main events of the conference are oral and poster presentations of research projects in mathematics by undergraduate students. The projects are carried out during semester or summer research programs at the individual institutions. These programs include capstone courses, traditional REUs, and other programs, such as
- The MENTOR program at UH
- The Math Consultation Clinic at LSU
- The Integrated Undergraduate Research Experiences in Biological and Mathematical Sciences at TAMU
The topics run the gamut. They may be purely mathematical or highly applied. The goals of undergraduate mathematics majors are diverse, and many topics will naturally be interdisciplinary. The unifying fiber is mathematics.
The inaugural 2017 conference
The inaugural LA-TX Undergraduate Mathematics Conference will be held on the campus of the University of Houston on September 2-3, 2017. The conference will continue to take place annually in early fall, and the venue will rotate among the three campi.
Program
Saturday, September 2, 2017
- 8:00 Signing in; coffee, food.
- 8:30 Opening welcome.
- One of the organizers will welcome everyone, introduce some people, and talk about the goals of the conference.
- 8:45 Introduction of participants.
- The students in the various research groups will be introduced, and people get to break some ice.
- 9:10–10:00 Guest lecture.
- An experienced professional will give a motivational and informative perspective on the role of mathematics and mathematicians in the world. This should be both realistic and mathematically substantive.
- 10:00–10:30 Break.
- Break for discussion and coffee.
- 10:30–12:30 Student presentations.
- Two or three student presentations concerning team projects from the undergraduate research programs of UH, TAMU, and LSU. The work could be presented by a representative of the team or by multiple members of the team. We should allow ample time for serious discussion and questions.
- 12:30–2:00 Lunch.
- Catered in a place that encourages interaction.
- 2:00–3:30 Student presentations.
- Two or three student presentations of projects, again with comfortable timing.
- 3:30–4:00 Break.
- Break for discussion and coffee.
- 4:00–5:30 Student presentations.
- Two or three student presentations of projects, again with comfortable timing.
- Evening dinner and social time.
Sunday, September 3, 2017
- 8:45 Opening of the day.
- 9:00–9:30 Chosen student presentation.
- Perhaps a committee could choose an outstanding project that would have the honor of being presented in this session.
- 9:45-12:30 Poster Session.
- About nine to twelve posters (three to four from each institution) will be displayed. Each poster will be attended by two to three authors. Not all authors will necessarily be attending the conference. The posters will present the same work that was presented in the oral sessions, and this will give students more time to discuss topics more seriously. There may be additional posters besides those on the projects that were presented orally.
- 12:30 Easy lunch.
Organizers
- Daniel Onofrei, UH
- Stephen Shipman, LSU
- Peter Wolenski, LSU
- Michael Anshelevich, TAMU
- Peter Howard, TAMU
- Peter Kuchment, TAMU