Research Connections

What does math research really look like? Which subfield is right for me? Do people like me go to graduate school, and succeed? This book provides students a “sneak preview” of math research in a variety of subfields. Each chapter features the work of a different mathematician along with enough background material for an advanced undergraduate or early graduate student to understand the key ideas and get a sense for the styles of thinking involved in each subfield. Each chapter is prefaced by a short biography of the mathematician who wrote the chapter (all people connected to the Carleton College Summer Math Program for Women), providing advice and examples of paths from undergraduate education, through graduate school and beyond. This book provides a source of ideas and starting points for in-class projects, independent studies, and student talks as well as supplementary reading in courses. The profiles of early career mathematicians and statisticians at the beginning of each chapter are valuable as an advising resource for students considering graduate school, or to show students a diverse view of modern mathematicians in a “Math for Liberal Arts”-style course.