Paper Project

Overview

You will write a paper that is 1000–1500 words on a topic related to mathematics or computer science that you find interesting. My goal is for you to explore some area of mathematics or computer science that is of interest to you. The topic and style of the paper is up to you, but I suggest some of the following styles:

Colloquium Topic

Expand and further explore a colloqouim topic from this semester or even a previous semester.

Topic Review

Identify a collection of sources on a topic and write a summary article on the topic.

Paper Review

Take a peer-reviewed research journal article you find interesting and summarize the interesting points.

Course Topic

Write about a topic from one of your favorite courses, but not covered in that course. For example, considering writing about a topic touched on in a homework problem or in a chapter not covered.

Historical Biography

Write a biography of a famous mathematician or computer scientist.

Classical Problem

Write about a classical mathematics or computer science problem that had a significant impact on the field.

Popular Press Book Summary

Write about a popular press mathematics or computer science book summarizing the important points of the book.

Honors Thesis Prospectus

Outline your plans for an honors thesis.

Research Plans

Provide detailed plans of a FURSCA or other research project you plan to perform.

Project Summary

Provide a detailed account of a FURSCA project, directed study, internship, or research project you have conducted.

Math/CS Contest Problem

Start with an interesting problem from either a mathematics contest (Putnam, MATH Challenge, LMMC, etc) or computer science contest (ACM, Denison, etc). Solve the problem completely and correctly. Generalize the problem and provide a solution to the generalized problem. Your paper will include an overview of the problem, why it is interesting, why your generalization is nontrvial, and your solutions to the both the original and generalized problems.

This paper must be distinct from a similar paper you may have written for another course. You should come see me to make sure you topic meets the course requirements. Unlike speaker summaries which contain both a summary and a critique, your paper focus on content. Include a bibliography of your reference material.

Your paper must be written using the LaTeX computer typesetting system. This allows you to easily include mathematical notation in text.

Sources for Mathematics and Computer Science

• Journals and Other Sources for Topics
1. Computer Science and Technology
   1. Quanta Magazine
   2. MIT Technology Review
   3. ACM Crossroads Student Magazine
   4. Communications of the ACM
   5. IEEE Computer
   6. Ars Technica
2. Mathematics
   1. Quanta Magazine
   2. MAA Math Horizons
   3. AMS: Mathematical Moments
   4. AMS: Feature Columns
   5. Plus magazine
   6. The Rose Hulman Institute's Undergraduate Mathematics Journal
   7. The College Mathematics Journal
   8. Mathematics Magazine
   9. American Mathematical Monthly
   10. The College Mathematics Journal
   11. PRIMUS: Problems, Resources, and Issues in Mathematics Undergraduate Study
   12. The Pentagon: The Official Journal of Kappa Mu Epsilon
   13. The Mathematical Intelligencer
   14. The UMAP Journal: Undergraduate Mathematics and Its Applications
3. General Science
   1. Quanta Magazine
   2. American Scientist
   3. NewScientist
   4. Computers & Math News from ScienceDaily
   5. Scientific American
4. Online Databases
1. ACM Portal
   The ACM portal allows searching of the ACM Digital Library, containing full text of every article ever published by ACM, and the Guide to Computing Literature, containing bibliographic citations from major publishers in computing.
2. MathSciNet
   MathSciNet is an electronic publication offering access to a carefully maintained and easily searchable database of reviews, abstracts and bibliographic information for much of the mathematical sciences literature.

Talk to your professors for other ideas! This is an opportunity for you to delve into an area that fascinates you.

Deliverables

Topic and Abstract

A paragraph (roughly 200 words) describing the topic and scope of your paper must be sent via email to me by the due date. You should include a statement of the importance of the topic and why it is of interest to you. After reading your proposal, I may suggest you broaden, narrow, or possibly change your topic. Once your topic is agreed upon, you will need to consult me regarding any changes you might want to make later in the term.

Paper

The structure of your paper will vary depending on thet type of paper you are writing. All papers must start with a preface section that is a paragraph about you and why you wrote this paper. While the main reason you wrote the paper is for this class, tell the reader who you are, what your interests are, and why this topic is of interest to you.

Your paper must also include a bibliography in BibTeX format. The sources must be authoritative peer-reviewed or formally edited (not just random websites). Talk to me if you have questions about the number and type of sources.

Submit a pdf of your final paper via email. Use a two column format similar to our speaker papers.

Grading Rubric