Application Information for the
``Research-focused Learning Communities in
Mathematical Biology'' program

What is it? Truman State University is one of the country's leaders in the training of undergraduates to work at the intersection of the life and mathematical sciences. It's Mathematical Biology program uses coursework and research experiences to teach students using cutting-edge techniques and concepts. Funding from the National Science Foundation has allowed the program to develop its Research-focused Learning Communities in Mathematical Biology program for undergraduates and faculty, and this program is now taking applications from students.

What does it offer? This program invites talented students in mathematics or biology to collaborate with a cross-disciplinary pair of faculty who are engaged in a research project on a topic that is at the cutting edge of their fields. Invited students will be involved in the project for 12 months and have opportunities to travel to conferences and off-campus sites, and to publish and present their work in peer-reviewed fashion. Students who are accepted for the program are eligible for up to $3,400 in academic year research stipends, a $3,750 summer stipend for work done during a 10-week research program, on-campus room and board during that program, as well as funding for travel.

Who should apply? Students who have a demonstrated record of success in their discipline, who are interested in learning to work as part of an interdisciplinary team, and who want to participate in the full spectrum of activities that are part of a research experiences (e.g., from designing an experiment or research plan, to carrying it out, creating a manuscript to report your work, and submitting it for publication and review) should apply.

What is on the application? Applying to participate in Truman's NSF sponsored Research-focused Learning Communities in Mathematical Biology is easy. To help you prepare to submit an application, below is a list of the information requested on the application.

Basic and Demographic information:

Your name, Banner ID number, gender, primary ethnic background, and whether or not you are a first generation college student

Contact Information:

your local address, local telephone number, and email address

Academic Information:

your academic standing (e.g. freshman, sophomore, junior ,senior), your major(s), minor(s), a list of math/stat/cs/bio courses in which you are currently enrolled, and your grade point averages in science courses, math/cs courses, and overall; your intent to enroll in an interdisciplinary, mathematical biology course (i.e., Bioinformatics or Introduction to Mathematical Biology)

Project Related Information:

which semesters and summers you can commit to working on a project, a rank ordering of projects that interest you, a list the computer hardware and software with which you are familiar, and a list of any other skills or expertise you possess that you think might be of interest to project leaders.

Essays:

We ask for two essays. The first is about your previous exposure to the research enterprise, and the second is about your personal background and goals as they relate to the RLC program and the research experience for which you are applying.

References;

We ask for names of two people who know you well and understand how you can contribute to an RLC project team.

Any Advice? With regard to the essays, we highly recommend that you compose them in a word processor where you can proofread and revise before cutting-and-pasting your work into the on-line application form. Science and mathematics are writing-intensive disciplines, and writing will be an important facet of the RLC program. The selection committee will assume that the essays you submit here are representative of your skills as a writer. Applicants should also make time to visit with one or both of the faculty mentors involved in the research projects that they find interesting. Having a good conversation about the project will increase a student's chances of being invited to participate in the program, and not having such a meeting will decrease the chances of a student's being selected.

What if I have more questions? If you have any questions about the application process or the NSF sponsored Research-focused Learning Communities in Mathematical Biology program, feel free to speak with or email the program Director, Prof. Jason Miller (millerj@truman.edu) in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science.