David Duncan
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What he does:
- As a graduate student, David studies, takes tests, writes papers, etc.
David's background:
- David received a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Washington, Summer, 2006.
- The only significant preparation David had in entering the Mathematics Department was a genuine interest and intrigue of the subject. As a freshman, he took the standard Math 124,5,6 serires. This taught him a few rules and how to calculate by them, but as a whole, the experience left him feeling unenlightened. It was not until he enrolled in Math 334,5,6, taught by Professor Jim Morrow, the accelerated caculus sequence, that he began to get a feeling of satisfaction and fullfillment from his studies. He also began to see what math was really about, which was one of the most amazing realizations of his life. It was the combination of Jim Morrow's class, and taking topology/geometry from Professor Steve Mitchell that showed him what mathematics really is, which is absolutely essential, but it was the beauty of mathematics itself that really brought him into mathematics.
Advice for students:
- Don't be afraid to challenge yourself. The most influential and enjoyable courses he took were the most difficult. College is the time for your intellectual maturation, so embrace it. However, take plenty of study breaks and don't forget to sleep.
- Try as hard as you can to get involved with research, whether it is under a professor or your own (like a senior thesis). It may seem like there are very few or now opportunities available, but just start asking around. Talk to professors, advisors, or graduate students. You will probably be surprised at what you find. Remember, the UW is a research institution. You may also try other departments, like EE, CSE, and Physics.