There exist many opportunities to spend a semester or a summer at another institution, government laboratory, or private company. For a partial listing, please see our Internships & Outside Programs webpage. You might also check with the Math Center for ideas.
Opportunites for undergraduates to obtain hands-on experience in government laboratories, industry, corporations, and other academic departments are listed on the Arizona Internships in Mathematics, Engineering, and the Sciences webpage.
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The semester programs are run each year. For details about the programs and deadlines for application, click on the links to the program websites.
Location: Argonne, IL Eligibility: 18 yrs or older; eligible to work in U.S.; cumulative GPA ≥ 2.5; health insurance
Location: Budapest, Hungary Eligibility: students normally have at least sophomore status and are in good academic standing; students are expected to have completed one semester of advanced calculus or abstract algebra;
Location: outside Paris, France Eligibility: solely based on academic qualifications; students must demonstrate facility with French language
Location: Moscow, Russia Eligibility: good academic standing; completed at least one semester of both advanced analysis and linear algebra; no language requirement (classes are taught in English).
Location: Oxford, United Kingdom Eligibility: GPA ≥ 3.0 after two years of university study
Location: University Park, PA Eligibility: students are typically juniors or seniors during the program; high level of mathematical ability and mastery of mathematical proof techniques. Background: full calculus sequence, basic linear algebra, a transition course with proofs and either advanced calculus or basic real analysis.
Locations vary. Most programs are restricted based on citizenship/residency status. See website for details on specific programs.
Locations and eligibility restrictions vary. See website for details on specific programs.
*Note: Some of the Contests & Competitions may also be of interest.
Location: Oxford, United Kingdom Eligibility: WISC has programs in a variety of subjects including Mathematics, Economics, Biological Sciences, etc. See program descriptions for more on expectations.
Many university departments and government labs run summer research programs for undergraduate students, often under the acronym REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates). Since availability changes each year, it is best to learn about current offerings through the following listings:
Application deadlines are frequently flexible; therefore, if you are interested in applying for a program for which the deadline has passed, contact the program anyway. It is possible that they still have openings and would consider your application.
To get a flavor of what might be available, information on select programs appears below.
(Boston, MA) This 10-week program provides unique opportunities to participate in cutting-edge biomedical or photonics research.
(Northridge, CA) The PUMP program offers two summer institutes, one for students who have completed two semesters of Calculus and another to help mathematics majors transition from lower to upper division courses.
(Brazil) The goal of this REU in mathematics is to foster interactions between American and Brazilian students, by providing students with meaningful experiences in mathematical research. Activities will be conducted in English and no prior knowledge of Portuguese will be required. The program covers travel expenses for the trip to Brazil.
(Los Angeles, CA or Beijing, China) The Research in Industrial Projects (RIPS) Program provides an opportunity for college and university upper classmen/women to work in teams on a real-world research project proposed by a sponsor from industry or a national lab.
(San Bernardino, CA) Students study knot theory and combinatorics at Cal State San Bernardino.
(Santa Barbara, CA) Science and engineering students acquire research experience in a variety of exciting fields through these internships.
(Northfield, MN) Admission into this program is limited to female mathematics students who are currently completing their first or second year of college. Students are expected to have had Calculus and Linear Algebra.
(Albuquerque, NM) This REU is a 10-week summer research internship for undergraduates studying chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, or physics.
(Mt. Pleasant, MI) Students will be chosen to work with faculty members of the Mathematics Department. The topics to be studied will be in the areas of Algebra, Combinatorics, Graph Theory and Matrix Theory.
(Potsdam, NY) Applications are sought from undergraduates interested in spending their summer participating in mathematics research projects. Topics to be explored may include group theory, Algebra, graph theory, Knot Theory.
(Clemson, SC) Topics: Computational Number Theory and Combinatorics.
(Boulder, CO) The SMART program is intended for undergraduate students who are interested in preparing for graduate degrees in science, math and engineering. SMART offers students the opportunity to conduct research under the guidance of a faculty mentor, and participate in workshops designed to strengthen scientific writing and oral presentation skills.
(Tempe, AZ) This intensive REU prepares promising young scientists interested in working at the interface of mathematics, statistics, and the natural and social sciences for the rigors of graduate studies.
(Piscataway, NJ and Prague, Czech Republic) DIMACS, with National Science Foundation sponsorship, has offered an REU program since 1992. There are four associated REU programs:
(Bryn Mawr, PA or Atlanta, GA) Enhancing Diversity in Graduate Education is a program funded by the National Security Agency and is designed to strengthen the ability of women and minority students to successfully complete graduate programs in the mathematical sciences. Applicants to the program should be women who are
(Washington DC) A 5-week intensive program for mathematically-talented undergraduate women who are completing their junior year and may be contemplating graduate study in the mathematical sciences.
(Allendale, MI) The Department of Mathematics at Grand Valley State University (GVSU) near Grand Rapids, MI, invites eight students to participate in their REU program each summer. GVSU typically receives over 100 applications, so selection is competitive.
(Holland, MI) An 8-week program for students who will have the opportunity to work on projects in Algebra and Geometry.
(Boston, MA) The HSPH Summer Program in Quantitative Sciences is a short introduction to biostatistics, epidemiology and public health research in June. It is designed as an intensive course to expose undergraduates to quantitative methods applied in biological, environmental and medical research and prepare them to apply to graduate school. Students collaborate on a research project with the direction of HSPH faculty and graduate students.
(Park City, Utah) The Undergraduate Summer School provides opportunities for talented undergraduate students to enhance their interest in mathematics. This program is open to undergraduates at all levels, from first-year students to those who have just completed their undergraduate education. There will be many organized activities, with some specifically targeted at students at the introductory level and others at more advanced students. There will also be time for study groups and individual projects guided by advisors, as well as other activities.
(San Jose, CA) This National Science Foundation summer program involves research in the general area of chemistry and engineering of information technology related materials in partnership with San Jose State University. Stipends are available for a 10-week summer program of research under the mentoring of a scientist at Almaden or SJSU. Included is a special seminar series, career discussions, and a concluding poster scientific meeting. Projects and the program are designed for sophomores and juniors with majors in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science and related sciences.
(Ames, IA) Participants spend eight weeks working on research projects as part of active research groups at ISU. The projects are in a variety of mathematical areas, representing the diverse research interests of the ISU Mathematics Department, such as mathematical biology, linear algebra, dynamical systems, numerical analysis, and graph theory, all utilizing computational methods.
(Harrisonburg, VA) James Madison University has been chosen for a National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site in mathematics. All qualified undergraduates are encouraged to apply for this eight-week program, in which students will work in groups of two under the supervision of their faculty mentor on projects in mathematics, materials science, and chemistry.
(Easton, PA) Lafayette College's REU Program is an intensive, eight week summer research experience in which undergraduate students investigate unsolved problems in mathematics.
(Baton Rouge, LA) LSU has had an REU since the summer of 1993, with funding from LEQSF and NSF. The three directors: Hoffman (algebraic geometry), Perlis (number theory) and Stoltzfus (braid/knot theory) devote full time to the program during the summer ensuring that participants receive plenty of individual attention.
(Oxford, OH) SUMSRI is seeking talented undergraduate mathematics students who are interested in pursuing advanced degrees to participate in a 7-week research experience. Because of the shortage of minorities and women mathematical scientists, we are especially interested in, but not limited to, African Americans and other underrepresented minorities and women.
(Duluth, MN) This is a ten-week undergraduate research program in mathematics at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Graph theory, combinatorics and number theory provide the source of most of the problems. Weekly field trips are part of the program.
(Minneapolis, MN) The mission of the Bioinformatics Summer Institute is to provide the highest possible quality undergraduate and graduate level education and research experiences in bioinformatics, equipping the new generation of this burgeoning professional community with the tools for a successful career in bioinformatics. Sixteen undergraduate and graduate students will participate in the Institute for ten summer weeks.
(Minneapolis, MN) MSI hosts an internship program for undergraduates each summer.
(South Hadley, MA) The Summer Mathematics Institute at Mount Holyoke College has been engaging selected undergraduates in useful mathematical research since 1988. Topics have been drawn from number theory, algebra, algebraic geometry, analysis, mathematical physics and statistics. Frequently the topic involves the application of computational techniques to gain further insight into the problem. The Institute is supported by the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program.
(Various locations) Nasa offers a variety of internships and summer programs. See the website for descriptions.
(Greenbelt, MD) The program is designed to introduce undergraduate students majoring in all areas of the physical sciences to research opportunities in the atmospheric, biospheric, and hydrospheric sciences, both theoretical and experimental. No previous experience in these sciences is needed. The program is directed primarily at undergraduates who are in their Junior year at the time of application. However, all undergraduates, who are currently enrolled in a U.S. college or university, are eligible, provided they are also U.S. Citizens or holders of a Green Card indicating their intention of becoming a citizen.
(Various locations) A ten week summer program where students are assigned to a specific research project and will make a meaningful research contribution to their research group. Each project involves hands-on nanotechnology research with state-of-the-art equipment. Each student will be working on an individual research project, with support from faculty, student mentors, and facility staff.
(Lincoln, NE) This Nebraska REU in Applied Mathematicsis an eight-week summer research opportunity for ten students offered by The Department of Mathematics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln under a grant from the National Science Foundation.
(Flagstaff, AZ) The REU Program is an opportunity for six top undergraduates from around the country to visit NAU to work one-on-one with an actively researching departmental member. The students are on the NAU campus for 8 weeks and attend both regular lectures by NAU Department of Mathematics and Statistics faculty as well as lectures by external visitors. The culmination of the program is the presentation of student projects. The level of research involved is fairly advanced, occasionally leading to joint publications of papers in refereed journals.
(Various locations) The Environmental Education Outreach Program offers a Summer Student Internship Program as well as two Short Internship Programs. Students gain hands-on experience with EPA or other government and tribal offices with regards to environmental issues.
(Corvallis, OR) This program will support 10 undergraduate students and will run for eight weeks. This site contains links to a more detailed description of the program, descriptions of potential projects, and instructions on applying either on line or via a printed application.
(Worcester, PA) Worcester Polytechnic Institute is home to the Center for Industrial Mathematics and Statistics (CIMS). REU applicants are usually US citizens or permanent residents about to enter their junior or senior year.
(Houston, TX) This is a 10 week summer program for junior and senior minority students. Applicants are expected to have had 3 semesters of calculus and one semester of linear algebra or matrix analysis.
(Terre Haute, IN) Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents and full-time undergraduate mathematics majors with computing experience. Depending on the projects offered in a given year, studnets may be expected to have some background in analysis, differential equations, abstract algebra or number theory. Female, minority and physically disabled students are encouraged to apply.
(Santa Fe, NM) This program is highly individualized. Each student works with one or more faculty mentors on a project chosen in consultation with the mentor. This program is limited to current undergraduates; mathematical and computational skills will be considered in the application process. Only US citizens and permanent residents are eligible for NSF funding; a small amount of funding may be available for international undergraduates through SFI's International Program. Women and minorities are especially encouraged to apply.
(Menlo Park, CA) Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents who are undergraduates majoring in science or engineering. SLAC has reasearch opportunities in physics, chemistry, materials and environmental sciences, scientific computing and in many engineering fields.
(Knoxville, TN) Applicants must be current undergraduates who are US citizens or permanent residents. Women, first-generation college students and members of other under-represented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
(College Station, TX) Applicants must be US citizens of permanent residents who are current undergraduates. Students are expected to be comfortable with basic matrix manipulations and elementary linear algebra. Additional experience may be recommended for specific programs - see the web site for details. Students from groups under-represented in mathematical research are especially encouraged to apply.
(Galveston, TX) UTMB has opportunities for students in many areas of biomedical research. Applicants must be US citizens; the program is intended for students who are contemplating graduate studies in biomedical sciences.
The LPI invites undergraduates to experience cutting-edge research in the planetary sciences through the Summer Intern Program. As a summer intern you would complete a research project of current interest in planetary science, working one-on-one with a scientist at the LPI or at Johnson Space Center.The 10-week program runs from June 7, 2004 to August 13, 2004. Interns receive a stipend of $500 per week to cover living expenses, and assistance with travel expenses to a maximum of $1000. Shared low-cost housing in apartments near the LPI can be arranged. The LPI is located near Johnson Space Center, on the south side of Houston, TX. The LPI provides, on NASA leadership in the scientific community for research in lunar, planetary, and solar system sciences, and linkage with related terrestrial programs. Deadline: Wednesday, January 14, 2004
12-week Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship program providing hands-on research experience in Atomic, Molecular, Optical, Radiation and Chemical Physics. Located just outside Washington, DC, available research opportunities include: Atomic and Molecular Spectroscopy Laser Cooling and Trapping Collisions of Atoms and Molecules Atoms and Molecules on Surfaces Quantum Optics QED Effects on Atomic Structure Optical/Infrared Detector Development UV Optics Optical Tweezers Industrial Radiation Dosimetry Physics of Radiation Therapy Environmental Radioactivity -- and many others. Application Deadline is February 15, 2004.
The Veterans MSC is a federally funded program designed to offer military veterans an educational experience that will prepare them for career opportunities in math or science. It is presented as a six-week, summer program of intensive hands-on study on the campus of HSU.The VMSC is designed to present an integrated view of scientific methods and reasoning. Courses have been selected based on graduation requirements and ease of transferability and are listed as follows: Principles of Biology, General Chemistry, Oceanography, Statistics, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, and Selected Seminars. The program runs from June 12 through July 23, 2004.
Tulane University will choose twenty students to work with members of the Mathematics Department. The topics to be studied will be in the area of Differential Geometry, Topology, Applied Mathematics, and Statistics. For those working in geometry or topology, previous study or exposure to the subject is not required. For those working in applied mathematics or statistics, some previous work is expected. Each student will receive a stipend of $2,500 and $500 for travel expenses, plus campus housing. Program dates are June 7 - July 30, 2004. Application deadline is February 20, 2004.
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory makes undergraduate research positions available through participation in this fellowship. Applications for the ten-week summer program are now open.
The Department of Mathematics at the University of Washington will offer a summer program to introduce undergraduates to research in mathematics. The program will run from June 21 to August 13, 2004. This program is intended for highly motivated students who are United States citizens or permanent residents and who will have completed their junior year or equivalent by Spring 2004. Students admitted to this program will be given a stipend of $3000. Deadline for applications is April 1, 2004.
Participants will be involved in ongoing research projects with investigators, and will have the opportunity to take part in workshop training sessions in communication skills, scientific presentation, organization, and delivery, designed to provide the undergraduate scientist with solid skills that will serve as a foundation for graduate study. Program dates: June 14 - August 20, 2004. Location: Seattle, WA. Deadline: March 19, 2004.
Eight students will be selected on a competitive basis to participate in the program. NSF rules require that participants be citizens or permanent residents of the United States who have not (and will not) receive an undergraduate degree prior to September, 2004. Each student will receive a total of $2,550 and free housing in one of the College's residence halls. Tentative dates for the 2004 REU program are June 7 to July 30, but these might be changed. Applications and supporting letters should arrive no later than Friday, March 1, 2004.
The SMALL Project is a 9-week summer program in which undergraduates investigate open research problems in Mathematics. Students work in small groups directed by individual faculty members. Application must be received by February 16, 2004.
The Summer Institute for Training in Biostatistics (SIBS), sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, gives undergraduate students majoring in the quantitative sciences the opportunity to explore a career in biostatistics and bioinformatics emphasizing applications in both basic and clinical research. Using mathematical science they will learn how to develop new methods for experimental design and analyze the resulting data. Over a 6-week summer school session participants will be engaged in two 3-credit courses for a total of 6 credits that can transfer back to participants' undergraduate institutions. The first course will be an Introduction to Concepts in Biostatistics that will provide an overview of fundamental statistical concepts. The second course, a practical working course entitled Practicum in Basic Biostatistics will give students exposure to analyzing data from basic science experiments, clinical trials and observational studies.
The Computational Biology and Biostatistics Summer Research Program (CBB), gives minority undergraduate students the opportunity to explore a career in biostatistics and bioinformatics by working closely with faculty and staff mentors. Biostatistics is the application of statistical techniques to data generated from biological problems. Bioinformatics is the application of computational methods to problems in the biological sciences. Both disciplines focus on the development and application of methods to help us understand biological processes. A career in biostatistics and bioinformatics is ideal for students with strength in mathematics and computer sciences who enjoy working with computers and numbers and wish to apply their skills to solving real world problems in biological research. There are approximately 50 faculty members actively involved in a wide variety of biostatistics and bioinformatics research activities, including clinical trials, epidemiology, genetics, experimental design and analysis of laboratory studies.
The mission of this program is to select, support, and encourage under-represented individuals, due to race, gender, ethnicity, and financial resources, and to provide them an opportunity to obtain academic degrees at all levels within a positive environment. Students interested in agricultural sciences, architecture, biology, education, forestry, human resources, mathematics, veterinary medicine, wildlife sciences, psychology, and computer sciences should apply. Deadline: March 1, 2001.
This program offers women and members of underrepresented minority groups employment experience in our labs in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Directed to undergraduates who have completed their second or third year of college, this program allows you to spend a summer side-by-side with world renowned research scientists and engineers. Preference is given to students who are interested in creating the future of communication technologies, and are presently majoring in: Communications Science, Computer Science/Engineering, Information Science, Electrical Engineering, Wireless & Radio Engineering, Data Networking, Physics/Optics, Materials Science/Chemistry, and Mathematics/Statistics. Deadline: December 1, 2000.
4-week program for 18 talented undergraduate women staffed by mathematicians who are active professionals and outstanding teachers. The students will immerse themselves in mathematics, taking classes in Algebraic Coding Theory and Dynamical Systems, participating in recreational problem solving, attending colloquia, as well as participating in outings and social activities. Deadline: February 20, 2001.
9-week summer internship program for undergraduates in science, math, or engineering who have completed their sophomore or junior year. The program offers the opportunity to experience scientific research as an undergraduate. Deadline: March 10, 2000.
The objectives of the program are to encourage undergraduates to pursue advanced degrees in math and sciences. It will expose the students to the atmosphere and the excitement of a major research institution and there will be weekly lectures by visiting scientists from around the world. Deadline: March 15, 2000.
Minorities are encouraged to apply to this 10-week program. Ten students will be selected to attend and work one-on-one with IU faculty members. Deadline: March 1, 1999 Still undecided about the Summer 2000 program.
A program for African American, Hispanic, and Native American undergraduates to work with Princeton faculty and research staff for 9-weeks to test their commitment to graduate study. The students will participate in a weekly program throughout the summer that will increase their ability to apply successfully to strong graduate programs. Eligible students should cantact Associate Dean David N. Redman at dnredman@princeton.edu or (609) 258-3032 for information and applications. Deadline: February 12, 1999. Information for the summer 2000 program has not been received.
6-week educational and research program in the mathematical sciences for undergraduate sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are Chicano/Latino or Native American. Topics of study will include Grobner bases and computational number theory. Deadline: February 29, 2000.