By Aklilu Zeleke

On May 15, the university hosted a colloquium titled ‘Beyond the Classroom: The Adventure of Undergraduate Research’. Presented by Dr. Aklilu Zeleke from the Lyman Briggs College & the Department of Statistics and Probability, Michigan State University, United States of America, the session delved into the transformative impact of undergraduate research in mathematical sciences. It emphasized on how such research empowers students to pose bold questions, explore new frontiers, and view themselves as contributors to the creation of knowledge.

This hybrid session was divided into two parts; the first sought to promote understanding of undergraduate research in mathematical sciences by outlining what undergraduate research entails, focusing on accessible entry points for students, its benefits for academic and professional growth and development, and how it can pave the way to diverse career options and open doors to graduate studies.

The second part explored case studies presenting three specific examples of undergraduate research projects that culminated in publications and conference presentations. The projects discussed include, The Freshman Rule for Derivatives which was inspired by a classroom misconception. It examined function pairs satisfying a unique second-derivative identity. Another case study presented wasDynamics of a Cubic Function which analyzed complex behaviors in the function f(x) = cx³ + x² + x, including fixed points and transitions to chaos. Lastly, the session explored Recursive Polynomials Generalizing Fibonacci Polynomials a study that was inspired by the famous Fibonacci sequence but with more advanced math involving polynomials. The students examined the math behind how these patterns grow and the hidden rules they follow, revealing surprising connections and structures. These case studies proved that undergraduate research can lead to significant academic contributions and provide students with invaluable experiences.

This presentation underscored the profound impact of undergraduate research in the mathematical sciences. It advocated for fostering a culture of curiosity, building meaningful mentor-student relationships, and creating accessible research opportunities to empower students and enrich the academic community.