2016 REU

Research Experience for Undergraduates in

Commutative Algebra

at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)

May 23 - June 3, 2016

Support provided by NSF RTG grant DMS-1246844.

Program Information

Overview: This two week REU (research experience for undergraduates) is intended to expose undergraduates to some current research problems and techniques in commutative algebra, while staying in the heart of one of the world's greatest cities. Up to 10 undergraduates will be selected from universities across the country, and minorities, women, and students from primarily undergraduate institutions are especially encouraged to apply.

 

The REU will be supervised by three faculty members specializing in commutative algebra at UIC.

 

 

Participants will also have the opportunity to engage in discussions with some of the graduate students at UIC.

 

Contact: For questions about funding or about the workshop in general, please email Chris Skalit at cskali2@uic.edu.

 

Funding and eligibility: Applicants should currently be studying mathematics at an undergraduate institution in the US, and will be asked to provide a faculty reference in the application who can attests to their qualifications for the program.  (Note that participants cannot be enrolled for classes over the summer at UIC, as the program will require full attendance during the weeks of the REU.)  Participants will receive a stipend of $650 for the program, plus travel to Chicago and lodging  for the duration of the REU will be covered for all participants from outside the Chicago area.  To receive full consideration, please apply BEFORE MARCH 15.

 

Schedule: During the week, there will be minicourses and discussion given by the above faculty member in the mornings.  In the afternoons of the REU, students will participate guided problem sessions and research activities.  There will be no activities scheduled over the weekend May 28-30, and participants will be encouraged to spend some of the time exploring the city.

 

 

Click Here to Apply

Travel Information

Getting to UIC: The REU will be held in the UIC Math Department, which is located in the Science and Engineering offices building (SEO, 851 S Morgan St, Chicago, IL 60607).  Signs with instructions on where to go will be throughout in the building, but you can also come to Kevin Tucker's office (SEO 417) looking for more information as well.

 

  • By car: UIC is easily accessible by car, and is located just off of either the 90/94 or 290 interstates.  If you are coming into UIC, it's best to park at the Halsted Parking Structure at the NE corner of the Taylor and Halsted intersection.

 

  • By train/bus:  UIC is also close to Chicago's Union Station with convenient Amtrak trains / Megabus routes to many locations in the region.  A cab to UIC from Union Station should cost under $10.  The Greyhound station is also very close by, and an easy walk to UIC.

 

  • By air: Chicago has two major airports, O'Hare (ORD) and Midway (MDW), and it is easy to get to UIC from either one (many travel sites will let you look for both simultaneously using the airport code CHI).

 

If you are flying into O'Hare, you can take a Blue Line train (costing $5) into the city (towards the loop or Forest Park) which stops right next to the UIC campus (at the UIC/Halsted station).  For reference, a taxi from O'Hare to downtown will cost around $45 before tip (and can be paid with a credit card).

 

If you are flying into Midway, you can take an Orange Line train (costing $2.50) into the city (towards the loop), which will allow you to transfer to the Blue Line (at the Harold Washington Library station) which stops right next to the UIC campus (at the UIC/Halsted station).  Another good option is to take the Orange Line into the loop (e.g. Harold Washington Library station) and then take a short cab ride to UIC (at most $10).  For reference, a taxi from Midway to downtown will cost around $25 before tip (and can be paid with credit card).