UCLA’s VIGRE Program : Essential Features

UCLA’s VIGRE program has instituted both curriculum changes and new courses and programs. The curriculum changes in the PhD program were intended to make the PhD program more flexible and better able to be adapted to the varying needs of students, especially those wishing to pursue interdisciplinary subjects. The new programs, which occur at all levels(undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral and regular faculty) have various specific goals, but are all related to the providing of research opportunities and experiences.

Curriculum reforms:

The PhD program was substantially revised. Previously, PhD student had to take four qualifying examinations on rather narrowly specified and largely classical topics. Also, there was a definite division between pure and applied mathematics already at the level of qualifying examinations and preparation via courses for them. Under the new system, students take one preliminary examination on basic analysis and linear algebra very early (usually upon entrance) and thereafter take two PhD qualifying examinations , subjects chosen from among algebra, analysis, applied differential equations , geometry/topology, logic, and numerical analysis. This new system shortens time (compared to the previous situation) to the post-examination period when the students can actually begin to look at research topics and commence research work.

New programs;

1 Summer review program for entering graduate students: A five week program to review the material for the “basic” preliminary examination mentioned in the previous paragraph is given each summer immediately before the beginning of fall term. VIGRE fellowship students are given living expense support for this course, but the course is open and free of tuition for all students.

2 Research introductory courses: An extensive new set of courses, known as “296s” (after their catalogue course number) has been instituted. These are supervised by a faculty member but a student participation courses , where the students give lectures on the topic of the course, usually based on recent research papers. The goal of these courses is to create an environment in which the students can rapidly become connected to contemporary research work on the topic and also to form a community of people with shared research interests. In addition to the supervising faculty member and the graduate students, postdoctoral and regular faculty also participate frequently. Sufficiently well prepared undergraduates are also encouraged to participate.

3 VIGRE postdoctoral program.: While UCLA has long had an active postdoctoral program, under VIGRE, we have made mentoring both of teaching and research much more systematic than formerly, We have also used VIGRE funds to expand the existing postdoctoral program.

4 Undergraduate research: Using VIGRE support , we have greatly expanded and systematized summer REU experiences. This program has been enthusiastically received by our undergraduate student population as well as by the supervising faculty.

Further details on these programs can be found on the UCLA website(www.math.ucla.edu)., which has a VIGRE section listed on the home page(click on VIGRE listing under “What’s New”).