This year's three courses are "Topological Dynamics," in which Professor Bryna Kra constructs classical results of combinatorics and number theory from a fresh perspective using symbolical dynamics and topology, "Number Theory with applications to Graphs and Networks," in which Professor Winnie Li uses techniques from number theory and algebra to solve deep questions of connectivity of graphs and networks, and finally, Professor John Roe teaches "Differential Geometry and Relativity," a classical exploration of differential geometry with a look ahead to modern mathematical physics.
      All of the professors for MASS are outstanding - handpicked by the MASS directors for their expository skills.  But this is not the point.  There is certainly no lack of wonderful professors at the U of O, as I can honestly attest from my own experience there.  The key here, the thing that makes these courses both challenging and fun, is that the instructors are picked first, and they decide the specifics of the class for themselves.  This means that in graph theory for instance, we are studying the fundaments of Professor Li's own research (many of the theorems and structures we learn about are named after her!), and this is true in dynamics and relativity with Professors Kra and Roe as well.  The freshness and ingenuity of the fields really comes across in the lectures, and the freedom the professors are given cannot be overstated.
      Each class is assigned a graduate student, who is enrolled in no other classes, neither teaching nor studying.  Aside from their research, their purpose in life (I'm not kidding) is to help MASS students learn.  They attend class everyday with us, take notes, give a Thursday review seminar each week, and have essentially 24-7 office hours.  They are wonderful people, and the program wouldn't be the same without them.
There is a weekly seminar hosted by the lively and talented program director, Sergei Tabachikov, and finally there is a colloquium series in which prominent mathematicians from around the country are invited to give talks about their research aimed at

        Hello, this is David Jordan corresponding at Cathie's request from the Pennsylvania State University's MASS program.  Cathie wanted me to write home and tell all you aspiring math dorks what the program is all about, in the hopes of getting people interested in applying.  I am having a wonderful time here, and so I am quite happy to fill her request.
First, some bookkeeping and demographics:  MASS is funded jointly by the National Science Foundation and Pennsylvania State University.  If a student is accepted, MASS promises to match his or her home tuition/living expenses with a grant, so that affordability is no concern.  Each year roughly twelve to fifteen students from around the country are admitted into the program.  Participants are generally strong students, come from small to medium-sized state/private schools such as the U of O, and they come in search of math.  If you enjoy mathematics, and are considering graduate school, then MASS is a great place to find out exactly what you want, and how hard you are willing to work for it.
MASS students take only three courses, each from a core mathematical area (e.g. analysis, algebra, and geometry/topology), but always with a twist (I'll explain later).  These are predetermined, and everyone in the program is enrolled in all three, and no others.  They are rigorous, proof based classes, and generally explore non-standard undergraduate topics (the twist), while at the same time developing an understanding of more classical subjects.  For example the "Topological Dynamics" course focuses on the very active area of Dynamical Systems research, but requires students to become comfortable with point-set topology, abstract algebra, and analysis very quickly.

2  Next Page