VIGRE Introduction

What is VIGRE?

The National Science Foundation program Vertical Integration of Research and Education in the Mathematical Sciences (VIGRE) was set up with the goal of "increasing the number of well-prepared U.S. citizens, nationals, and permanent residents who pursue careers in the mathematical sciences." These programs are sponsored by institutions that contain mathematical science departments that grant Ph.D.s.

Each VIGRE program will "integrate research with educational activities, enhanceinteraction among undergraduates, graduate students, postdoctoral associates, and faculty members, broaden the educational experience of its students and postdoctoral associates to prepare them for a wide range of career opportunities, and to motivate more students to pursue an education in the mathematical sciences." These goals are to be reached through the development and implementation of a graduate research traineeship program, an undergraduate research experience program, and a postdoctoral program. Through these programs, each mathematical science student is better prepared to become a successful researcher, communicator and mentor.

What is VIGRE at UW?

The VIGRE program at the University of Washington incorporates the vertical integration of the national program with horizontal integration across three mathematical science departments: Applied Mathematics, Mathematics, and Statistics. Through these three departments and the multidisciplinary Bachelor of Science program in Applied and Computational Mathematical Sciences (ACMS) , VIGRE is able to reach a majority of the University of Washington students studying the mathematical sciences at all levels. The VIGRE sponsored projects and programs described in the following pages are better preparing tomorrow's mathematicians while increasing the visibility of the mathematical sciences on UW's Seattle campus.

UW VIGRE <vigre@math.washington.edu>