The conceptual simplicity of many problems in nonlinear dynamics make them readily accessible to undergraduate researchers who wish to concentrate on theoretical/computational aspects of nonlinear dynamics. In the past, we have found that undergraduates can contribute very successfully in such projects. Examples of past undergraduate projects, all resulting in published papers, include the following: a study of chaotic scattering by three cylinders, in which an exotic basin structure was found, a study of the phase synchronism of chaotic oscillators by a periodic pacing signal in which the mechanism of the transition from the unsynchronized to the synchronized state was revealed, a study of the dynamics of the propagation of the front separating a quiescent region from a spatio-temporally chaotic region, and a study of the mixing of a passive tracer in a chaotic fluid flow based on the concept of wave packets.
It is planned that undergraduate researchers would typically participate in theoretical/computational work directed by a professor or senior scientist with the participation of a graduate student. Examples of current research areas of our group for which undergraduate participation might prove mutually useful are the following:
Additional information about theoretical and computational studies can be found at http://www.chaos.umd.edu/ and by contacting:
Prof. E. Ott, (301) 405-5033 or edott@umd.edu
Prof. T. Antonsen, (301) 405-1635 or antonsen@umd.edu