Sarah Chamberlin of Bel Air is participating in a five-week Summer Program for Women in Mathematics sponsored by the mathematics department of George Washington University in Washington.
The program is in its ninth year of encouraging female students in mathematical disciplines by offering them an opportunity to interact with women who have pursued careers in mathematics in academia, industry and government, said Murli Gupta, professor and director.
Chamberlin, one of 16 women chosen to participate in the program, is a junior at Hollins University in Roanoke, Va.
The George Washington program consists of four major topics, which change each year. This year, the topics are introduction to Groebner bases in algebra, introduction to the Automata theory in computer sciences, brief introduction to the queuing theory and introduction to symplectic geometry.
The courses are held twice a day for five weeks, changing topics after three weeks.
"These programs help to better ourselves and our nation with diversity," Gupta said.
Several seminars will be led by graduate students and research mathematicians. Students are expected to gain a deep understanding of basic concepts in many areas and learn to work independently and express oral and written mathematical ideas, Gupta said.
The program focuses students on solving problems in a short time to appreciate mathematical research enterprise. Weekly field trips are planned in the Washington area to mathematical facilities, Gupta said.
One site to be visited is the National Security Agency, the nation's largest employer in the mathematics field.
In addition, mathematics professionals are invited as speakers on modern styles of research. Friday evenings are dedicated to mathematical films, followed by group discussions.
Chamberlin spent January at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, working with Dorothy Wallace, a professor of mathematics, and Kim Rheinlander, director of the Center of Mathematics & Quantitative Education.
In April, Hollins University recognized Chamberlin as the outstanding mathematics student in its junior class by presenting her with the Elise Deyerle Lewis Award at the annual honors convocation.
