Research

One of the best ways to develop a depth of understanding of mathematics is to conduct mathematics research, and Gettysburg offers a variety of opportunities for students to become involved in research.

Many students collaborate with faculty on advanced research projects on campus during the academic year or in the summer, and the department also helps students find off-campus summer research opportunities. Research adds new dimensions to your learning, giving you experience that significantly strengthens both your job résumé and your application to graduate schools. Many students give talks on their research at regional and national conferences.

Fellowships and Student Research

Hirsch Research Fellowships in Mathematics

The Julia Gatter Hirsch '60 Endowed Fund provides support for student-faculty research collaboration during the academic year or during the summer. Some research projects are initiated by students, who bring their own ideas directly to the mathematics faculty. Other projects are initiated by faculty members, who may advertise such opportunities in a relevant course or through our Friends of Mathematics (FOMA) mailing list. Previous fund recipients have conducted research leading to publications, presentations, and code development in a variety of areas, including additive combinatorics, delay differential equations, fluid flow modeling, and ring theory.

Other Research On-Campus

• Cross-Disciplinary Science Institute (X-SIG)

Research Experiences for Undergrads

• List of National Science Foundation REU sites
• Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)
• The Summer Institute in Biostatistics and Data Science, sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
• Additional information about REUs

Research Experiences Through Jobs & Internships

• Gettysburg College Center for Career Engagement
• There are many mathematics job opportunities at J. P. Morgan Chase and other financial institutions, including summer internships. Deadlines for summer internships are typically at the beginning of October.
• Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI)
• The National Security Agency (NSA) offers internships, a co-op program, and scholarships. The Cryptanalysis and Exploitation Services Summer Program is one example suited for Math majors.

Funding for Students to Attend Conferences

The Mathematics Department will consider student applications for funding for travel to conferences only if the students have already applied for all other available funding. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Funding provided by the conference itself.
• Funding provided by an REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) or other program the student has participated in.
• Funding provided by the Provost’s Office.

For conferences involving overnight travel, the student is invited to submit an application for funding from the Math Department at least one month before the conference. The student must submit a detailed budget and an account of all other sources of funding applied for and, if applicable, received. After travel is completed, students will need to submit their receipts for reimbursement to the department's administrative assistant. The maximum individual award amount is $300. Students may receive funding for more than one overnight (or nonlocal) conference, but the total amount awarded will not exceed $300 per student.

Student Conferences

• St Joseph’s University Sigma Xi Student Research Symposium
• Moravian College Student Conference is usually held on the third Saturday in February. The application deadline for speakers is usually at the beginning of February.
• Regional EPaDel meetings
• MathFest