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The Scholarships Creating Opportunities for Applying Mathematics (S-COAM) project at Indiana University of Pennsylvania is seeking applicants for our unique scholarship program. In addition to providing monetary scholarship support, S-COAM creates a network of students that engage in professional development activities to improve your career prospects and success in STEM fields.

While increasing numbers of students pursuing mathematics degrees, S-COAM is unique in its goal of establishing a supportive connection of graduate students with undergraduates through scholarship cohort activities.

Need-based scholarships annually support seven to nine students from the MS in Applied Mathematics and about 40 undergraduates seeking a mathematics major or minor in mathematics with a STEM major. Annually, 10 to 20 new freshmen are recruited with at least 87 distinct students supported over five years. We are seeking high-achieving high school students with financial need from across the region.

The selection process considers need, diversity, academic performance, activities, and a personal statement.

We Want You to Apply!

Apply according to your student group:

  • Incoming 2020-21 Freshmen (Next Deadline: July 1, 2020)
    Eligibility: New undergraduate applicants to IUP, including both freshmen and transfer students.
  • Incoming 2020-21 Graduate Student in Applied Mathematics (Next Deadline: May 25, 2020)

Monthly Meetings for Fall 2019-Spring 2020

  • August 25, 4:15-6:15 p.m. in Stright 226/229
  • September 30, 6:30-8:00 p.m. in HUB Conemaugh Room
  • October 30, 3:30-5:00 p.m. in HUB Conemaugh Room
  • December 5, 3:30-5:00 p.m. in HUB Conemaugh Room
  • January 20, 1:00-3:00 p.m. in Stright 226/229
  • February 19, 6:30-8:00 p.m. in HUB Conemaugh Room
  • April 1, 3:30-5:00 p.m. in HUB Susquehanna Room
  • May 1, 3:30-5:00 p.m. in HUB Monongahela Room

Benefit

In addition to financial support, S-COAM scholars will also participate in the Mathematics Enrichment Activities Network.

Our Students Engage in Many Activities, Including:

  • Local, regional, or national conferences
  • Peer-led, team-learning sessions for freshmen
  • Research opportunities
  • Departmental or college-wide colloquia
  • Workshops in software training, job/internship search, and graduate school preparation
  • Connections with working professionals in science and engineering fields
  • Social gatherings with other S-COAM scholars
  • IUP clubs, including: Math Club, Actuary Club, or Preservice Teachers of Mathematics
  • Presentations by professionals from industry and academia

Scholarship Renewal Requirements

  • Participate in all required events in the program
  • Submit the FAFSA form, and continue to meet the federal financial aid requirements every semester
  • Continue as a full-time student at IUP making satisfactory progress toward a qualifying sciences and mathematics degree
  • Submit a summary of activities every semester with a short essay on the program and his/her academic progress
  • Complete the program outcomes and assessment survey
  • Undergraduates must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, and graduates must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale.

This web page changes often. Please check back frequently for additional information.

Peer-Led Team Learning Materials

Calculus II (MATH 126)

Workshops

3D Printing Basic

  • October 16, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
  • Stright 220

Abstract: In this workshop a basic introduction to using 3D printers will be undertaken. Demonstrations of both 3D model creation and printing will be shown using standard software tools. Workshop participants will have the opportunity to create 3D models that could be printed using standard 3D printers.

3D Printing from a Mathematical Perspective

  • October 23, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
  • Stright 220

Abstract: In this workshop a hands on approach to creating models for 3D printing will be undertaken. Participants will use notebooks to create 3D geometries that can be converted to file types that are acceptable for 3D printing. The focus of this workshop will be more on the mathematics needed for 3D printing, rather than the creation of complicated 3D printable models.

Introduction to Mathematica

  • February 10, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
  • Stright 220
  • Dr. Gary Stoudt

Abstract: This hands-on session will familiarize participants with the basic capabilities of Mathematica, inclusing experience with Mathematica's notebook interface and syntax. Topics will include algebra, calculus, 2D, #D, and parametric graphing.

Image Processing with Mathematica

  • February 17, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
  • Stright 220
  • Dr. Ed Donley

Abstract: Participants will use Mathematica and basic concepts from algebra, calculus, and linear algebra to enhance and analyze photographs. We will use simple algebraic functions to restore old faded photographs and poorly light photographs. We will use histograms to separate the foreground and background of an image. We will use derivatives and matrix operations to blur images and to detect edges of objects within images. Prerequisites: Understanding of basic matrix operations and derivatives, and some familiarity with Mathematica. Knowledge of partial derivatives would be useful, but not necessary.

Major Events

September 9, SIAM Visiting Lecture: Dr. Stephanie Fitchett

  1. Open Session: 10:00-11:00 a.m.Stright 205
  2. Lunch with S-COAM scholars: 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
  3. Advanced Talk: 3:30-4:30 p.m.Stright 226/22
  4. General Talk: 6:30-7:30 p.m.Humanities and Social Sciences 126

March 16, Alumni Day

  1. "Big Data and the Secret Lives of Mathematicians," Ashleigh Craig, Data Scientist, US Department of Defense, 3:30 -4:30 p.m., Stright 226
  2. "Polytopes: A Friendly Introduction," Derek Hanely, PhD Student, Mathematics Department, University of Kentucky, 3:30 -4:30 p.m., Stright 229
  3. Career Panel: Ashleigh Craig, Data Scientist, US Department of Defense, Derek Hanely, PhD Student, Mathematics Department, University of Kentucky, and Lisa Vatavuk, DevOps Engineer, Risk Focus, 6:30-7:30 p.m., HUB Susquehanna Room

If you have questions about this program, please contact:

Project Directors

Yu-Ju Kuo, yjkuo@iup.edu
Rick Adkins, fadkins@iup.edu
210 South Tenth Street
Mathematics Department
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Phone: 724-357-2608

This project is funded by the National Science Foundation Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S STEM) program under Award No. DUE 1742304.

Past S-COAM Scholarship Recipients

John J. and Char Kopchick College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
  • Mathematical and Computer Sciences Department
  • Stright Hall, Room 233
    210 South Tenth Street
    Indiana, PA 15705
  • Phone: 724-357-2608
  • Fax: 724-357-7908
Winter Break:
Remote Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Please call 724-357-2440
In-Person Office Hours
December 19–20, January 6–7
8:00–Noon
12:30–4:00 p.m.