The role of graduate students in research experience for undergraduates programs

Abstract

In this article, we consider the role of graduate students as mentors in research experience for undergraduates (REU) programs, as reflected by a breakout session at the Trends for Undergraduate Research in Mathematical Sciences (TURMS) conference. We consider the benefits of using graduate students to the institution running the program and to the participating undergraduates. We also consider the benefits that the graduate students themselves gain from working in an REU, and we warn of potential problems that can arise when employing graduate students in this context. We discuss the role of postdoctoral fellows and other undergraduates in REU programs and conclude with questions about graduate student mentors that merit further discussion.