October 2007 Newsletter
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In this issue of the Mathematics Undergraduate Newsletter:

- Career Center Information and Events

- Course Profile: Math 121A - Differential Geometry, Winter 2007

- Graduate School Application Process Preview

- Closing Remarks

Be sure to familiarize yourself with the Career Center. A wealth of valuable services and information , from resume writing assistance to advice on choosing a graduate program, can be found on their web site. See what they have to offer you at
http://www2.ucsc.edu/careers/

Career Center Upcoming Events
- Resume/Cover Letter Workshop – October 9, 12pm-1pm, Conference Room C
- Internship Workshop – October 10, 1pm-2pm and October 29, 12pm-1pm
Conference Room C
- Graduate and Professional School Information Fair - October 15, 11am-3pm,
Stevenson Event Center
- Resume/Cover Letter Workshop - October 10:30am-11:30am, Conference
Room C
- Interview Workshop - October 17, 2pm-4pm, Conference Room C
- Grad School Workshop - 2pm-3:30pm, Conference Room C

Course Profile : Math 121A - Differential Geometry
Instructor: Debra Lewis

The Mathematics Department is offering Differential Geometry in the Winter quarter, taught by Debra Lewis. Differential geometry is the study of geometry using differential calculus and has many applications in physics.

The class will discuss Euclidean space, tangent vectors, directional derivatives, curves, differential forms in space, and mappings. The course will introduce the Fernet formulas, covariant derivatives, frame fields, and the structural equations. Gaussian and mean curvature along with The Theorem Egregium will also be addressed. The prerequisites for this course are Math 21, Math 23B and either Math 100 or Computer Science 101. Math 105A is strongly recommended as preparation.

Graduate School Application Process Preview:

Juniors:

Seek advising from the Mathematics Department on your course choices. Start looking for REUs (Research Experience for Undergraduates) and other research opportunities for next summer. Register and prepare for the Subject GRE offered in April. http://www.ets.org/gre/

Seniors:

If you have not already requested applications and information from schools you are interested in, do so right away. Contact writers for letters of recommendation. Find out which GREs schools require you to take (the General Test, a Subject Test, or both). General Tests are offered year-round, while Subject Tests are offered 3 times a year. Once in October, once in November, and once in April. Keep in mind, the April test will be too late for more applications.
October-
Begin composing statement of purpose. Subject GRE offered.
http://www.ets.org/gre/
November-
Ask letter writers to begin letters. Familiarize yourself with the letter writing service offered through the career center.
http://www2.ucsc.edu/careers/student/gradapply.html
Subject GRE offered. http://www.ets.org/gre/
December-
Polish statement of purpose. Applications are due late December through mid May, depending on the school. The subject GRE is offered again in April.

Closing Remarks:

We hope you all have a great summer and are excited to be back. Be sure to attend the Undergraduate Colloquim this quarter which takes place in Baskin 301A every Wednesday night at 5:00 pm. Refreshments are served and talks are presented by faculty, graduate and undergraduate students alike. We encourage you all to consider giving a talk! Such an experience can help you work toward completing your senior seminar, or even help enhance an application to graduate school. If you are interested please email Andrea Gilovich at gilovich@ucsc.edu or Frank Bauerle at bauerle@ucsc.edu.

Take care and have a great quarter!

Andrea Gilovich, Undergraduate Advisor
UCSC Mathematics Office, 194 Baskin
1156 High Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95064
Phone: 831-459-4691 Fax: 831-459-3260

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