Research Opportunities in Mathematics and Statistics

Summer Research 

Summer research assistants in Math and Stats at Williams are hired through the SMALL REU and through the Williams Summer Science Research program. This year, the department’s summer research opportunities are all through SMALL. Project titles are listed below, and project descriptions may be found on the SMALL website.

Mathematics: 

• Ralph Morrison, “Chip-Firing Games on Graphs” 
• Jenna Zomback and Austyn Simpson, “Commutative Algebra: Interactions with Logic” 
  • Prerequisite: abstract algebra 
• Susan Loepp, “Commutative Algebra: Local Rings and Completions” l
  • Prerequisite: abstract algebra 
• Steven Miller, “Number Theory and Probability” 

Statistics: 

• Xizhen Cai, Anna Plantinga, and Elizabeth Upton, “Statistical Approaches to Pattern Matching in Forensic Evidence” 
  • Prerequisite: a course in regression methods (STAT 346 or equivalent) 

Applications for SMALL are due by Wednesday, February 1. 

Senior Theses

In addition to summer research, junior majors are invited to apply to undertake a senior honors thesis or mini-thesis. Many faculty in the department advise thesis students; stay tuned for an informational event and application form in early April, and feel free to chat with faculty about their research and thesis projects in advance. 

Other Research During the Semester

Outside of theses and mini-theses, occasionally students who have the requisite background engage in faculty-advised research during the semester, either informally or as Research Assistants. Feel free to reach out to faculty about this possibility.

Note: Research opportunities (summer, thesis, and otherwise) with different faculty members may require different course prerequisites; feel free to reach out to faculty for details.