The deadline to apply for R&I Departmental Programs for the Class of 2025 and 2026 was September 2024
Applications for the Class of 2026 and 2027 open September 2025!
About Research in Mathematics ("RMath")
In Mathematics, we have several opportunities for students to engage in research activities: RMath semester course, Graph Theory and REX Math, and RMath during J-Term. Our program emphasizes opportunities for students to solve open-ended research questions in collaborative groups with rigorous expectations and creativity in approaches encouraged.
Current Student to Contact
What is the difference between the Academic Year RMath Program, J-Term RMath Course, and REX Math?
In Graph Theory and REX Math, offered in both the Fall and Spring semesters, students learn formal proof techniques throughout the semester, and in the final two-three weeks of the semester, students engage in solving an open-ended Graph Theory problem. They do this in collaborative groups and present their findings during finals week, along with submitting a final paper.
In our RMath semester course, students engage in solving open-ended research problems in collaborative groups over the series of weeks throughout the semester. Along the way, students present their benchmark results and engage in rigorous problem-solving and proof technique throughout. This is an application-based course.
In RMath Jterm, students focus all of their attention on one open-ended problem of their interest and engage in collaborative work throughout. As a culminating project, students both present their findings to the class and write a formal paper to communicate their research. There is no prerequisite for this opportunity.
In all of our research opportunities, students gain fluency in formal proof writing, developing and testing conjectures, and constructing logical arguments.
What would I do in the program?
In our RMath semester course, students engage in solving open-ended research problems in collaborative groups over the series of weeks throughout the semester. Along the way, students present their benchmark results and engage in rigorous problem-solving and proof technique throughout. This is an application-based course.
How do I know this program is a good fit for me?Â
Students in this program have a very strong interest in mathematics and focusing on one long-term, open-ended research problem. Students also enjoy working collaboratively and exchanging thoughts and ideas with others. They are interested in strengthening their skills in constructing logical arguments, communicating their thinking in various ways and developing and testing conjectures. Â
What projects have past / current students worked on?
The Match Game
A Game on Graphs
đť’•-tone đť’Ś-colorings of a Graph
Positive Triangle Game
Application Deadline
September 26,
12:00 PM (Noon)
12:00 PM (Noon)
Scheduling
Spring Semester
Commitment
 One Semester
Course Information
 MA4510,
Academic Year
Academic Year
Christine Belledin, NCSSM Instructor of Mathematics
Christine Belledin has been a member of the NCSSM mathematics department since 2006. She teaches a range of courses, including Precalculus, Calculus, Complex Systems and Mathematical Modeling. She also teaches courses in the NCSSM Online program and has developed online courses in Multivariable Calculus and Complex Systems. She has led and worked with programs like Women in Science and Engineering, STEM #LikeAGirl, and Sisters in STEM to promote participation by women in STEM fields. She loves music, art and crafts, and she has developed projects and short courses to help students explore connections between mathematics and art. Her main educational interests are in mathematical modeling and educational equity and access.Â
Floyd Bullard, NCSSM Instructor of Mathematics
Floyd Bullard began teaching math at NCSSM in 1999. He is very interested in statistics and probability models and enjoys introducing his students to non-classical approaches to data analysis. He enjoys playing the piano and working crossword puzzles, though not at the same time. Floyd is a co-author of the fifth edition of the introductory text "Stats: Modeling the World."Â
Kevin Ji, NCSSM Instructor of Mathematics
Originally from Durham, Kevin Ji joined the NCSSM faculty in August 2020. He brought with him seven years of teaching experience in Washington, DC and the San Francisco Bay Area, during which time he taught a range of courses from Algebra I to AP Statistics, and advised various student-led math clubs and Asian student organizations. Kevin has spent summers growing a variety of personal and professional interests, including time at the Park City Math Institute (PCMI) focused on math teaching and research, participation in a summer workshop centered around Chinese immigration and the Chinese Exclusion Act hosted by the Museum of Chinese in America, and serving as a cooking instructor for elementary school age kids in the Bay Area. Kevin earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics and public policy from UNC-Chapel Hill and a master's degree in education from American University. In his spare time, Kevin loves playing sports of any kind (favorites include basketball and soccer, and recently indoor rock climbing) and cooking -- especially Chinese dishes.
Michael Lavigne, NCSSM Instructor of Mathematics
Michael Lavigne joined the math faculty at NCSSM’s Durham campus in August 2022 after four years of teaching at the undergraduate level. A native of New Orleans, he came to North Carolina in 2015 to pursue a Ph.D. in applied mathematics at NCSU after earning his bachelor’s degree in mathematics and Spanish at Tulane University. He then served as Visiting Assistant Professor at Georgia Institute of Technology from 2020-2022. During that time Michael also served as Assistant Director for the Southeast Center for Mathematics and Biology SCMB, where he was lead organizer for the Center’s annual symposium, undergraduate Modeling Accelerator, and community outreach initiatives. His work focuses on the mathematical modeling of complex bio-systems and espouses a philosophy of math-bio storytelling—using mathematics to narrate the “why” of a well-described biological “what”. His original Mathematical Biology course at GT was one of two in the College of Sciences to receive the Student Recognition in Teaching Excellence award. Outside of the classroom, Michael is an avid pianist, a lover of languages, and an amateur florist.
Ryan Pietropaolo, NCSSM Instructor of Mathematics
A member of the mathematics faculty since 2008, Ryan Pietropaolo has taught a variety of courses from Calculus to Graph Theory. He has presented work at multiple conferences and has worked with the AP College Board in a variety of capacities. He has served on the Faculty Senate and has attained National Board certification. Ryan has also taken countless students backpacking on the Appalachian Trail and hiking through the National Parks of Utah.
Ashley Tharp, NCSSM Instructor of Mathematics
Ashley Tharp joined NCSSM in August 2023 as Instructor of Mathematics for our Durham campus, shortly after defending her dissertation in mathematics at NC State University. She was born and raised in Houston, Texas, and earned her bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Houston. Upon moving to Raleigh for graduate school, she fell in love with North Carolina. While at NCSU, she spent much of her time outside of her own studies working to support students, both her own and her graduate student peers. She served as instructor of record for a variety of classes and as the math department’s first Graduate Support Resource TA; her work was recognized with honors from various institutions within the university. Ashley’s primary area of research is in algebraic combinatorics, though she has an ongoing project in graph theory and enumerative combinatorics, and she looks forward to exploring applications of pure mathematics to real-world problems with students at NCSSM. Outside of school, Ashley enjoys spending time with her cat and dog, going to concerts and music festivals with her partner, baking, and practicing yoga.Â
Course Descriptions
MA4500 Graph Theory with REX Math
Prerequisite(s): None
Corequisite(s): None
Graduation Requirements Met: One Mathematics credit OR One STEM credit
Schedule Requirements Met: One of five courses required each semester
Meeting Times: Four periods per week and a lab
This course develops the theory and application of graphs, a major area of modern mathematics, and also provides an introduction to mathematical proof and research. Students develop their ability to make thoughtful conjectures, and to verify those conjectures with valid mathematical arguments. This is done by considering questions of graph structures and colorings, tree and path optimization, matrix representations, and some open questions in the field. Students are then required to investigate an open problem in which they demonstrate their ability to make conjectures and to write concise, complete, and coherent proofs. Strong interest and talent in mathematics are required.
MA4510 Research in Mathematics
Prerequisite(s): MA4500 AND Research Program Application. Exemption of MA4500 possible with approval of the Mathematics Department Chair.
Corequisite(s): None
Graduation Requirements Met: One Mathematics credit OR One STEM credit
Schedule Requirements Met: One of five courses required each semester
Meeting Times: Three periods per week and a lab
This course is designed for students who have completed calculus and would like to work on a research team investigating an unsolved problem in mathematics. Since the research questions usually arise from the fields of graph theory and complex systems, students are encouraged to complete MA4500 Graph Theory with REX Math and MA4230 Introduction to Complex Systems prior to enrolling or to have completed comparable coursework in 9th or 10th grade.