Modeled after the reading programs at UChicago and MIT, Northeastern’s Math DRP (Directed Reading Program) aims to pair interested undergraduate students (primarily in math, although open to all) with PhD students in the math department. These pairings explore a topic of their choosing through self-paced reading of a particular book or article with substantial guidance by the graduate student mentor.

Expectations

• Pairs are expected to meet every other week, either in-person or on Zoom, for at least 30 minutes.  Meeting more often is encouraged.
• Pairs are asked to provide monthly feedback, briefly discussing what has been done, future plans, and any issues that arose.
• Graduate students are be asked to provide more general mentoring as well – answering questions about graduate school, the application process, etc. 
• Undergraduate students are expected to do 2-4 hours of independent work between meetings.
• Undergraduate students are strongly encouraged to give a ~15-minute presentation near the end of the semester and/or write a short report, discussing the work done throughout the program.

Benefits

• Learn to work independently through studying a topic of their choice
• Develop relationships with graduate student mentors and receive a good deal of personal attention focused on their mathematical studies.
• Learn about graduate school and the application process, as well as how to develop personal research projects in the future.  
• Gain valuable experience in mathematical communication by giving a presentation on their work to an audience of their peers or by writing a short report.

Eligibility

• Any PhD student is welcome, although we particularly encourage those with past mentoring experience to submit proposals.
• For undergraduate students, we are asking only 2nd years and above apply; however, 1st years will be considered on a case-by-case basis.  
  • NOTE: Please remember that the DRP is an additional voluntary activity and coursework takes priority. A well-done project is not a substitute for a good course grade.

How to join

• Interested PhD student mentors will be required to submit a proposal discussing their area of interest, possible project ideas, and several book or article recommendations that would go well with the proposed topics.
• Interested undergraduate students will be asked to provide their mathematical interests, past research experience (if any), and courses taken.
• Interest forms will be sent out at the beginning of each semester.

This program is run by students, which includes soliciting applications, creating student-mentor pairings, coordinating the presentations, and arranging for the appropriate reimbursements. 

Current DRP Organizing Committee

Archive

Spring 2023