Vacation Scholarships 2008 – 2009

Applications are invited from undergraduates who are gifted in mathematics and interested in undertaking a study/research project during the 2008–2009 summer vacation. As well as scholarshops offered by the School of Mathematics and Statistics itself, there are scholarships offered by AMSI (the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute) and tenable in the School. Anyone wishing to apply for either of these kinds of scholarships should contact A/Prof Alexander Molev, whose email address is A.Molev@maths.usyd.edu.au.

AMSI Scholarships

Please read the guidelines carefully, especially the Background and Nomination sections. The nomination form can be found here.

The AMSI due date for applications is 10th October 2008 and the internal School's deadline is 26th September 2008. As the process will be competitive, it is imperative that applications be submitted by this date.

School of Mathematics and Statistics scholarships

The vacation scholarship program is intended primarily for students enrolled in third year mathematics or statistics courses, and planning on continuing their studies in these fields. However, applications from exceptional first or second year students may be considered. Visa difficulties prevent us from offering these scholarships to students who are not residents of Australia or New Zealand.

The purpose of the program is to introduce students to mathematical research. The project of each successful candidate will be supervised by a member of staff of the School.

The research interests of School members cover a wide area of mathematics and statistics, including algebra, analysis, category theory, geometry, differential geometry, combinatorics, coding theory, automata, singularity theory, chaos, topology, knot theory, number theory, ordinary and partial differential equations, dynamical systems, astrophysical and geophysical fluid dynamics, geomagnetism, relativity, financial modelling, portfolio analysis, textile mechanics, medical ultrasound, biomathematics, neural networks, statistics, probability, theory of non-negative matrices and ergodicity, permutation tests, exchangeability, design of experiments, time series.

The scholarships are generally tenable for up to 6 weeks. Successful candidates will receive an allowance of $380 per week.

Method of Application

Applicants should write to

    A/Professor Alexander Molev,
    School of Mathematics and Statistics F07,
    University of Sydney,
    NSW 2006
marking their envelope "Vacation Scholarship". The following information should be included in the application:

  • Full name, postal address, email address and telephone number(s) (including mobile number)
  • Date of birth
  • University and course in which currently enrolled
  • A copy of the applicant's official academic record
  • Letters of recommendation, in sealed envelopes, from two people who are familiar with the applicant's academic record. For applicants from Sydney, it is sufficient to give the names of two lecturers familiar with the applicant's record.
  • Some indication of the area of mathematics or statistics the applicant would like to pursue in a research project would be helpful. This may be quite a broad area, such as Applied Mathematics, for example, or may be quite specific.
  • Any constraints on the time over the summer period when the applicant could do the project.

Applications should be submitted by 26th September 2008. Further information may be obtained by telephoning A/Professor Molev on (02) 9351 5793 or by sending an email message to him at A.Molev@maths.usyd.edu.au.