Topic selection (5 points): The topic for your research project is to be selected by you, in consultation with me and other faculty members, as early as possible, but certainly by Tuesday, Feb. 23. The topic should be of interest to you and to at least one mathematics faculty member, who will serve as your project advisor.

Research proposal (25 points): The research proposal should include a brief introduction to your topic, the goals of your project, an outline of your project (including subtopics to be addressed, mathematical tools to be used, etc.), and some indication of why the project is of interest to you and should be of interest to others (this might include examples of applications of your topic both in and out of mathematics). It also must include an annotated bibliography with at least two entries. Sample research proposals will be provided. The first draft is due Tuesday, March 9; the final draft is due Tuesday, March 16. You will present your research proposal to your fellow seminarians orally as well, beginning on Tuesday, March 9.

Preliminary reports (75 points): In addition to presenting your research proposal, you will make three preliminary reports on your project to your fellow seminarians. These will include presentations of your most recent research findings, as well as 3-5 page written reports. Exact presentation dates and written report due dates will be announced; they will be between Tuesday, March 16 and Tuesday, April 13.

Abstract (10 points): An abstract is a very brief summary of a talk or a paper. It includes the title of the talk or paper, the topic (if it is not apparent from the title), and a brief outline (summary) of the talk or paper. Samples will be provided. The abstract for your project's talk and paper is due one week before the first public presentation, so that all of the abstracts can be published together before the public presentations begin.

Rehearsal (20 points): You will rehearse your public presentation for me and at least two of your fellow seminarians at least four days before your presentation date. You also are required to critique the talks of at least two of your fellow seminarians.

Public presentation (75 points): This is a 25-minute oral presentation of your research project to your fellow seminarians, mathematics faculty members, and other interested members of the university community. In your talk, you should provide a brief introduction to your topic and your project, briefly summarize your project, and discuss one or two especially interesting aspects of your project in depth. Providing illustrative examples and applications probably will be more appropriate than providing details of mathematical calculations. You might also include ideas for further study (for you and/or your audience!) and a reference list for the audience in case some of your listeners are interested in further study.

You may use the chalkboard, overhead projection of slides, and/or overhead projection of a computer screen (Macintosh SE). Because of your time constraints, I recommend that you use slides, rather than the chalkboard, as your primary means of displaying your work. You also may provide handouts for your audience.

Oral presentations will occur between April 19 and May 10 on Mondays, Tuesdays, and/or Thursdays at 4 p.m. You are required to attend all presentations. Presentation dates will be assigned by lot, but may be traded.

Research paper (190 points): This is the focus of the project, and it should be carefully prepared, organized and presented. Your paper must include a title page and a bibliography, and probably should be organized as follows: introduction, three or four sections or chapters, conclusion. The style should be fairly formal; use your mathematics textbooks as guides to style. Number definitions, theorems, examples, and figures. You may find it helpful to number some or all of your equations as well. Be consistent in your numbering scheme and in your use of notation.

At least four (4) sources must be cited in the body of the paper. Cite these references by number (e.g. [3], where [3] refers to the third reference in your list, also labeled [3]) or author (e.g. (Smith, 1988)), rather than using footnotes. The paper must include a list of references, or bibliography. The list of sources you actually cite should appear first, followed (if you wish) by a list of additional sources consulted and/or recommended to the reader.

How much detail should you provide? Your goal is to make me understand--or, better, to make a fellow mathematics major understand--the material you are presenting. Clear and correct explanations and arguments are essential; illustrative examples and diagrams are always helpful. Samples of research papers can be found in the Hentschke Library.

Criteria for evaluation include the accuracy of the mathematics you present, the clarity of your presentation, the completeness of your presentation, your use of appropriate and illustrative examples, your use of mathematical notation, and your use of the English language (this includes style and grace, as well as grammar and spelling). The difficulty and originality of your project also will be considered.

The first draft is due Tuesday, April 20 (20 points); a second draft is due Thursday, April 29 (20 points); and the final draft is due Tuesday, May 11 (150 points).

The paper should be word processed and laser printed. In order to save time later, I recommend that you type up sections of your paper as you work on them. In particular, be sure to compile your bibliography as you find and use references.


Mathematics 170 - Senior Seminar - Spring, 1993
Evaluation of Research Paper

Name:

Score (out of 200):

Here's the breakdown:

Drafts (40 possible)

General organization of paper (15)

Style, grace, grammar (15)

Mathematical notation (10)

Clarity (10)

Completeness, self-containment (10)
(did I get the gist of it without
having to consult 6 other sources?)

Use of examples and diagrams (10)

Correct, complete, rigorous (20)
mathematics

Level of difficulty (20)

Substantial project (enough work!) (10)

Your understanding of the material (15)
(as evidenced by your written work)

Originality (10)

Citation of sources/bibliography (15)