How Can I Do Math Research as an Undergraduate?
1. Take an independent study course
The best way to get started: get to know Professors and their research interests. Build a good track record by taking courses in your area of interest, doing well, and showing you can work independently. Go to Math Club meetings; Professors often give basic talks in their field of research.
2. Take a capstone course
The Math Department offers 3 capstone courses. Research (MATH4020) (Intensive research, pure or applied) Applied Math (MATH4025) (Data driven real world problems) Math Modeling (MATH5131) (Differential Equations based modeling
methods) Once you have the prerequisites these can be taken either to fulfill the NUpath Capstone requirement or as upper level math electives. They are all project based.
3. Do an REU (Research Experience for Undergrads)
Our Math Dept offers Summer REU’s, and there are many opportunities at other Universities. REU’s are generally funded, and frequently don’t require extensive background in a given area. Talk to students in the Math Club who have done REU’s. Here is some advice to REU applicants. Another resource is the American Mathematical Society website for REU. For more information about specific REU opportunities, visit
4. Do a Junior-Senior Honors Thesis
Take a two-course sequence beginning with either an Independent Study or a Capstone, and continue with a thesis course. This sequence is available to Honors and non-Honors students alike, and after a successful thesis defense you graduate with Honors in Mathematics.
Latest News
REU opportunity: Summer Research Program at Northeastern
We will begin considering applications on March 22nd, with rolling admissions continuing until March 29th The RTG group welcomes independent and motivated undergraduates to apply for our Research Experience for Undergraduates...
Share your work at RISE
RISE is the showcase for research and creative projects being undertaken by everyone at Northeastern: learners from every year of study, every major, every campus! If you created or discovered it during the past year, you can share it at RISE. Abstracts are due March...
REU opportunity: Mathematical Sciences Research Institute Undergrad. Program (MSRI-UP)
When: June 12, 2021- July 24, 2021. Where: MSRI in Berkeley, CA. Application Due: February 15, 2021 (Applications submitted after February 15, 2021 but by March 1, 2021 may still be considered in a second round of acceptances.)...
REU opportunity: North Carolina State University Directed Research for Undergrads in Math and Statistics (DRUMS)
When: May 24th - August 1st, 2021, option to work remotely during the fall. Where: NCSU in Raleigh, North Carolina. Application Due: Review of applications begins February 15 and will continue until all slots are filled....
REU opportunity: Pomona Research in Mathematics Experience (PRiME)
When: June 13th - August 7th, 2021. Where: Virtual. Application Due: February 15, 2021. Website: research.pomona.edu/prime The Department of Mathematics at Pomona College will offer an 8-week program to conduct research in Algebraic Geometry & Number Theory. The...