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Hi, All, In this issue of the Mathematics Undergraduate Newsletter: Looming Deadlines
Upcoming Colloquia http://natsci2.ucsc.edu/semedit/flyer.seminar.html?x=310 A real, live Psychometrician is speaking on Friday, March 3! See below. Wednesday, January 10 Friday, March 3 **Note Special Day, Time TBA** The Undergraduate Colloquium wants you... to tell us what topics or speakers you would like presented, and to present your own area of research or interest. Please send ideas to nabrokaw@ucsc.edu or bauerle@ucsc.edu. Course Profile: Math 134 - Cryptography The Mathematics Department is offering Cryptography in the Spring quarter. Cryptography is derived from Greek words kryptos meaning “hidden” and grafo meaning “writing”. Cryptography is the science of enabling secure communications between a sender and one or more recipients. With all the new technology today, security for communication systems is greatly needed. Careers in cryptology are taking off and the need for cryptographers are in high demand. The Cryptography course introduces different methods in cryptography (shift cipher, affine cipher, Vigenere cipher, Hill cipher, RSA cipher, ElGamal cipher, knapsack cipher). The class will discuss the necessary material from number theory and probability theory throughout the course. We will go over common methods to attack ciphers. The prerequisite for this course is Math100 and Math110 is recommended as preparation. For many centuries, elaborate mechanisms have been created to deal with information security issues and the exchange of information and documents. Now, with the advent of technology and the prevalence of the Internet and other wireless communication methods, new advanced encryption methods have been developed to protect people's interests. Cryptography and cryptanalysis are the branches of mathematics that underlie encryption. Threats to corporate networks are at an all-time high, and "security technology and processes are becoming more complex, increasing the levels of expertise required to deploy and manage a system,” says Vincent Giordano, president and CEO of DefendNet Solutions, a provider of managed Internet security solutions. Cryptanalysts are mathematical geniuses who analyze and decipher secret coding systems for military, political, or law enforcement agencies or organizations and keep hackers out of important data systems for people and corporations. Most of their encryption work deals with the security of cryptographic number schemes and computational number theories. They design, implement and analyze algorithms for solving problems in number theory, encode messages to hide contents from outsiders, and constantly work on new ways to encrypt information. Once hackers figure out their codes, they must create new encryption methods to keep hackers out. Cryptanalysts seek to secure information systems including the Internet, e-mail and home banking. In the financial services industry, they deal with electronic cash and Interac, credit card transactions, and instant teller banking (ATMs). Within the wireless and wired communications sector, they work with cellular phones, pagers, fax encryptions, modems and secure telephones. Security experts were once thought of as hackers who learned their trade by breaking into other peoples’ computers. Vincent Giordano relates the story of a teenager who hacked a sensitive area of the U.S. Defense Department, and a few weeks later the FBI showed up on his doorstep. The next week he was working in Los Alamos. “They showed up with an arrest warrant and a job offer, and said, which one would you like? The guy who can break in is the guy you want on your team,” Giordano said. While we don’t advocate breaking into the Defense Department’s computers as a strategic career move, the story does underscore the shortage of cryptographers. Security has become a lot more sophisticated over the years however, and security experts are now in big demand. See also article above "Course Profile: Math 134 - Cryptography" Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Information & Applying Applications for Research Experience for Undergraduates (REUs) summer programs are coming up and they are definitely something you should consider. REUs are competitive summer research programs in the United States for undergraduates sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF). They are hosted in various universities and are among the most prestigious summer programs that an undergraduate can participate in. Students conduct research under the supervision of the university faculty. Many REU programs will send their students to conferences to present their research to others. Some REUs specialize in a particular field of science, while others combine many scientific fields such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and computer science. Each REU typically consists of about ten undergraduates working in the research program of the host institution. The program is funded by the NSF and therefore, undergraduates must be citizens or permanent residents of the US or its possessions. Applications are typically due between January and March, with the majority due in February. Applications require two letters of recommendation, so now is the time to start asking for those letters. The NSF strongly encourages women and minorities to apply to these programs. Why should you consider participating in an REU? Students are provided with a stipend, housing, food allowance, and transportation to and from the university. You get to work with other mathematics students from around the country and live with them. The REU programs also fund activities on the weekends for the students. Now is the time to start thinking about which programs you want to apply to and getting your application packet together. The math department has created several new web pages about REUs and their deadlines. For descriptions of all the REUs available for mathematics students, visit http://www.math.ucsc.edu/undergraduate/opp/reus.html. Here you can find out about each program and follow a link to its website. Visit http://www.math.ucsc.edu/undergraduate/opp/deadlines/index.html to find out when the applications for your target REUs are due. Asking for Letters of Recommendation Almost all graduate schools, research experience for undergraduates, and various other opportunities require letters of recommendation as part of the application. Don't underestimate the importance of the letters of recommendation. A well-written letter can make up and explain weaknesses in other parts of the aplication. The letter of recommendation provies information that cannot be found elsewhere in the application. The letter is a detailed discussion of the personal qualities, accomplishments, and experiences that make you unique and perfect for the programs that you have applied to. The people to ask to write your letters of recommendation are faculty members, administrators, internship supervisors, and employers. Ideally, letters should cover your academic skills, research abilities and experiences, and applied experiences. People who know you well in a professional capacity, sincerely like you, and can discuss those same points you have already brought up in the application will write the best recommendations. Once you have chosen your writers, you need to request letters well in advance. Set up an appointment to meet with them and give them plenty of time, at least three to four weeks, to write you a thorough letter. Assumer that your letter writer will remember nothing. Provide all information that you think may be helpful or that you would like to appear in the letter of recommendation. Inform them of your professional and educational goals, any work or research experience you were involvd with, the due date of your application, and any transcripts or resumes that you have. As the application deadline approaches, check back with your writers to confirm that the letters were sent. Check with the graduate schools or programs you are applying to, to confirm that your letters of recommendation were received. Remember to thank the people who write you letters; writing you the letter is a favor. A thank you note will relate politeness, gratitude, and respect. --
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