Math 4080/4090 Guidelines and Information

Course Description

MATH 4080 Senior Project I (2 credit hours) The first of a two-course sequence of faculty-directed independent research culminating in the writing of a senior thesis and its presentation.

MATH 4090 Senior Project II (2 credit hours) The second of a two-course sequence of faculty-directed independent research culminating in the writing of a senior thesis and its presentation.

MATH 4080 Senior Project I (2 hours) and MATH 4090 Senior Project II (2 hours) are required for the BS in Discrete Mathematics.

Registration Information

  1. The student finds a professor and ideally a topic - possibly general, possibly more specific - that the student would like to research with guidance from the professor.
  2. The student asks the professor if he/she is willing to work with him/her on the MATH 4080 Senior Project I during a specific term.
  3. If the professor agrees, the professor sends a message to academics@math.gatech.edu stating that he/she will work with the student on MATH 4080 in a specified term. (For example: This email is to confirm that I will be working with student BBB for MATH 4080 Spring 2010.)
  4. The student sends a message to academics@math.gatech.edu attaching a brief description (less than a page) of what the student will be researching and with whom. The student copies the professor on the email.
  5. Assuming that the project is reasonable, the student will then be issued a permit to sign up for MATH 4080 with that professor  as the instructor of the course.
  6. The topic, meeting times, and expectations, are negotiated between the student and the professor.
  7. Students continuing with the same 4080 instructor instructor for MATH 4090 must send a request to academics@math.gatech.edu. The professor also sends a message to academics@math.gatech.edustating that he/she will work with the student on MATH 4090 in a specified term. (For example: This email is to confirm that I will be working with student BBB for MATH 4090 Summer 2010.)
  8. MATH 4080 Senior Project I culminates in the writing of a report regarding the student's work and findings to date. The student submits the report to the professor before the end of the term.
  9. MATH 4090 Senior Project II culminates in the writing of a thesis and its presentation. The student submits the thesis to the professor AND submits the document to the School of Mathematics Academic Office as an email attachment to academics@math.gatech.edu before the end of the term.

FAQs

  1. Can I work with a professor from a unit other than the School of Mathematics?
    Yes, provided the scope of the research is mathematical in nature. As noted above, the student provides a description of the research project.
  2. Can I work with a graduate student? 
    No
  3. Do I need to work with the same professor for both MATH 4080 and MATH 4090?
    No. Usually, a student chooses to continue his/her MATH 4080 research for MATH 4090 with the same professor. Sometimes the 4080 professor does not or cannot work with the student for MATH 4090. This fact alone does not preclude the student from working with the professor for MATH 4080.
  4. I tried to register for MATH 4080 with professor AAA, but it says I need a permit. Will you help me out with this? 
    See item 3 in the guidelines above.
  5. How do I submit the MATH 4090 Senior Project II thesis to the School of Mathematics Undergraduate Program Office?
    You can send the thesis as an email attachment to academics@math.gatech.edu or you can supply a paper copy to the School of Mathematics Academic Program Office in Skiles 125.
  6. When do I register for MATH 4080 or MATH 4090?
    After a you have been issued a permit, you may register for the course during Phase I or Phase II registration. Because approvals from several people are involved, you are encouraged to make arrangements early in the registration period or before.
  7. Can I take this course pass/fail?
    No. T his course must be taken for a letter grade.
  8. Can only DMTH majors take this course?
    No

Contact Academic office if you have questions. Please include MATH 4080/4090 in the subject line.