Research and Opportunities Beyond the Classroom

An Honors project offers students with a strong academic record the opportunity to pursue independent research on an advanced topic under the direction of a faculty mentor. It is necessary for nomination to Phi Beta Kappa and for graduating with honors in the math major. See also CAS info on Honors in the Major.  Students completing an Honors project will be enrolled in a two-course independent study sequence (MA 401/402), produce an Honors thesis, and present the results to a committee of at least three faculty members.

Students wishing to complete an Honors project should complete the following steps:

1. Find a faculty member willing to supervise the project and develop a plan for the subject matter and scope of the research. Students often find Honors faculty mentors through their 500+ level courses.
2. Have the faculty mentor contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS), confirming their willingness to supervise the project. The DUS will arrange for the student to be enrolled in a two-semester MA 401/402 independent research sequence. Each of these courses carries 4 credits and can count towards the upper division requirements of the math major.
3. In consultation with their faculty mentor, find two additional faculty members willing to serve on the student’s Honors committee. Members of the committee will serve as readers for the thesis and evaluate the final presentation (see below).

Requirements:

• Students wishing to complete an Honors project must meet the GPA requirement of 3.3 or higher.
• The student will complete an honors thesis detailing the project and its results/findings. While there is no minimum length requirement for the thesis, these are generally at least 20 pages. The thesis needs to be completed by the end of the second semester of the project, and a draft submitted to the committee at least two weeks prior to the final presentation to allow for feedback and edits.
• The student will present their project and results to their Honors committee in the format of an oral presentation. The presentation must be completed by the end of the second semester of the project.

For further information about the Honors program, please contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Directed Study is a way to effectively create and receive official credit for a course of your own design in an advanced area that is not covered by typical BU courses. Students wishing to enroll in a Directed Study course must first find a faculty member willing to serve as the Instructor of Record for that course. The student should then ask that faculty member to reach out to the  Director of Undergraduate Studies to indicate their willingness to supervise the Directed Study, and to get the course set up for the student.

• BU’s Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) can connect you with faculty mentors in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, or in other departments whose research involves mathematical or statistical techniques. These typically come with funding and often (but not always) take place over the summer. 
• Research Experiences outside of BU: There are also research opportunities that take place at locations across the country. They typically occur during the summer and include both housing and a stipend. Many are referred to as REUs (Research Experiences for Undergraduates). Note that some, but not all, require that students be US citizens or permanent residents in order to be eligible for funding. For lists of opportunities and how to apply for them, see
  • National Science Foundation (NSF) listings
  • American Mathematical Society (AMS) listings
  • Math Programs, also run by the AMS

Attending a mathematics or statistics conference can be a great way to learn more about the professional community and the opportunities it provides. Speak with your advisor about which conferences may be relevant for you and your interests. Check out the section on Conferences and Programs Related to Graduate School in Mathematics on our Community page. Consider applying for a Departmental Travel Grant.

The BU Directed Reading Program (DRP) is a program that pairs undergraduates with graduate student mentors to work together on an independent reading project in mathematics, applied mathematics, or statistics. The goal is to engage undergraduates who are curious and motivated to learn beyond what they may find in their coursework, in a way where their interests drive their learning experience. The DRP serves as a bridge between undergraduate and graduate students in our department and helps to foster a sense of community among all of our students.

Becoming a member of professional organizations — including the American Mathematical Society, Mathematical Association of America, Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, American Statistical Organization, Eastern North American Region of the International Biometrics Society, Institute of Mathematical Statistics, International Statistical Institute, Association for Women in Mathematics, National Association of Mathematicians, Spectra, and the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science — can enable access to a wider range of resources and also help connect students with the broader community beyond BU. Student memberships are often relatively inexpensive or even free; contact your advisor for more information about professional membership, including which organizations might be most appropriate for you.

The Putnam Exam is a prestigious mathematics competition administered by a national committee. Each year, several BU students participate in this activity.  For more information please contact mathdept@math.bu.edu.

The Arts and Sciences Connector can help you navigate the diverse range of experiential learning opportunities available within Arts & Sciences, across Boston University’s professional schools and offices, and throughout the Greater Boston Area and beyond.

The Mathematics and Statistics Department hires a number of undergraduate graders to assist faculty in grading for certain Mathematics and Statistics courses. For more information, see the Grader Applications page.