Gereltuya Erdenejargal

Central Michigan University Mathematics REU Application Essay

My interest in mathematics began through its applications in natural sciences; I loved

physics above all. After moving to the United States from my home country of Mongolia in

2008, I have been working for three years in between my high school and college, and finally, I

was accepted in University of Colorado Boulder in 2011. In the first couple of semesters, as I

took more courses as a major requirement, mathematics became a serious concentration of mine.

Now, I am majoring in both physics and mathematics.

In the fall of 2012 while taking linear algebra with Professor Monk, I encountered the

assignment of proving theorems, and with that, I developed a deeper curiosity in mathematics.

Unlike physics, where everything is constrained by experimental results, in mathematics, there is

a freedom to go beyond the physical constraints and explore pure logical consistencies in an

argument. Although I have no formal mathematical research experience beyond linear algebra

and multivariable calculus homework, I do realize that mathematics is a subject that I would like

to explore further and contribute to. Small proofs, such as diagonalizibility of symmetric matrix

or eigenvectors of triangular matrix and the immense applications that grow out of them, showed

me the power (and beauty) of mathematics. I would very much like to further explore what

mathematical research is like and engage in the challenge of solving new problems and moving

forward within the frontier of mathematics.

My future career goals include attending graduate school in either pure or applied

mathematics. An undergraduate education alone would not be enough to fulfill my curiosity. I

believe that graduate school would offer a great opportunity to pursue my desire to conduct

mathematical research, after which I would be free to work and teach my favorite subject –

mathematics. Undergraduate research will better prepare me for graduate school, and I would

like Central Michigan University summer program to be my starting point in doing research.

I am especially interested in Project 4, Professor Sivaram Narayan’s Frames in Finite

Dimensions based on my strong interest in linear algebra and its applications. I also have fair

amount of experience in computer programming—familiarity with C++ and Mathematica. In

addition, working in a new environment with a team of diverse people outside my home college

would give me an enriching opportunity to grow both personally and intellectually as a future

researcher.