By Benjamin Williamson
As 17 mathematics professors from all across the country gather to BYU this weekend to receive training in undergraduate research mentoring programs, a BYU professor has reason to feel a bit of professional pride.
Michael Dorff, associate professor of mathematics, is the man who made it all happen with a great idea and a $1.3 million grant from the National Science Foundation.
“At BYU, this mentoring idea has become very big over the last few years,” Dorff said. “Maybe we could take the BYU model and transfer it to other universities.”
The BYU model involves pairing a professor and graduate student with three to four undergraduate students to assist with researching. The goal is to provide the undergraduate students with positive research experience, as well as give the graduate student and professor additional help.
Dorff submitted his idea to the National Science Foundation in the form of a grant proposal.
“When they saw the grant proposal,” Dorff said, “One of the reviewers came to me afterward and said…”That was the best proposal by far.”
Now, BYU is the host of the new “Center for Mentoring Undergraduate Research in Mathematics” (CURM) directed by Dorff. The mission of the center is to train professors how to work with their undergraduate researchers. CURM also awards mini-grants of $12,000 to $20,000 to help those professors establish similar mentoring models at their own colleges and universities.
Undergraduate research has been a growing trend among universities, but has had relatively small growth in mathematics. BYU, however, has been the exception.
“When [reviewers] ask us what we are doing,” Dorff said, “I describe the mentoring programs that we”re doing in the math department and the results we have, and they”re saying ”Wow, this is really great. It”s phenomenal what you guys are doing with math at BYU.””
According to its website, CURM was founded to train faculty to be mentors for undergraduate research, to help fund mentored undergraduate research and to prepare undergraduate students for success in graduate school in the field of mathematics.
Dorff said that BYU being chosen as the first university to train other universities in undergraduate research is an honor.
“I think it”s great for BYU and it”s great for these other universities.”
Thos professors selected for 2007 mini-grants will meet at BYU this weekend for training. They will return with their undergraduate students in March for a research conference, where they will present their projects and research.
The National Science Foundation, based in Arlington, Va. is a federal agency designed to “promote the progress of science,” according to their charter.
