Summer Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics Accelerator (SUMSA)
The Institute for Mathematical and Statistical Innovation (IMSI) is a mathematical sciences research institute funded by the National Science Foundation. It is managed by the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, the University of Illinois at Chicago, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and is hosted at the University of Chicago.
The essential mission of IMSI is to apply rigorous mathematics and statistics to urgent, complex scientific and societal problems, and to spur transformational change in the mathematical sciences and the mathematical sciences community. This mission is based on a vision with three fundamental elements: innovation, communication, and diversity.
The IMSI is offering the Summer Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics Accelerator (SUMSA) during Summer 2023. SUMSA is a mathematics and statistics bootcamp for undergraduates, which will take place June 12 - August 4.
SUMSA is an eight week mathematics and statistics summer bootcamp for undergraduates at U.S. colleges and universities which will be hosted by IMSI on the campus of the University of Chicago. The aim of the program is to help prepare students for the rigors of graduate school in a mathematical science with lecture series and problems sessions taught by experienced postdocs and advanced graduate students from the University of Chicago. The primary focus of this bootcamp is basic coursework; in particular, the program is not an REU, which tends to be more project-oriented.
The bootcamp offers an avenue for “standardizing” the backgrounds of undergraduates to help them develop competitive candidacies for graduate school. The topics likely to be covered will include:
- Linear algebra
- Topology of metric spaces
- Advanced calculus
- Probability
- Statistical modeling
- Data science
The weekly schedule is expected to include two lectures per day on Monday-Thursday, and problem sessions on Fridays. The bootcamp will be an intensive experience; participants will be expected to invest a substantial amount of time working through the material outside lectures and problem sessions.
Accepted applicants will be offered travel support and housing on the University of Chicago campus, and a stipend. The bootcamp is only available to participants who are able to attend in person. Participants are expected to spend the full eight weeks in residence during the program.
Eligibility
This program is open to students who will be rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors at U.S. colleges and universities and will be at least 18 years old at the time to program begins. Participants should have had a full year of calculus (or equivalent experience) by the time the program begins. Participants must be able to spend the full eight weeks in residence during the program.
Questions? Email sumsa@imsi.institute
Application
The deadline for applications is February 17, 2023. In order to apply for this program, you need to create an account at https://www.imsi.institute/account-registration/. Then, you can log into the application form at https://www.imsi.institute/activities/sumsa-2023/ near the bottom of the page.