Robert Long Prize, 2012


The DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS Robert Long Scholarship Committee ANNOUNCES the 2012 Annual ESSAY COMPETITION.

  • Purpose: To encourage students to investigate the sources, motivations and the development of mathematical ideas.

  • The Assignment: A 10-20 page paper on the history and/or philosophy of mathematics. The topics may be chosen from any time period from ancient to modern. The subject of the paper may be pure, applied or both. The essay may also center on the discussion of mathematical ideas evolving from (or contributing to) important advances in engineering, statistics, logics and foundations, or the physical and biological sciences. While the focus of the paper should be on mathematical ideas, it may also include a collateral presentation of individuals who made major contributions. Careful attention must be paid to the formal quality of the prose and organization of the narrative, and the identification of source materials.

  • Eligibility: Any full time undergraduate or graduate student at the University of Florida.

  • The Prize: One or two scholarships will be awarded. The total amount available for these awards is $500.

  • Manuscript Due Date: Manuscripts in PDF form should be submitted via email to: Dr. Louis Block, block@ufl.edu
    The due date is 5:00PM, February 29, 2012.

    The winning essays will be deposited in the Mathematics Little Hall Library (and possibly inserted in the Department home--page on the web).
    The winners will be notified by March 21, 2012.

  • Contact for further information Dr. L. Block, 478 Little Hall; tel. 392-0281 ext. 263; email block@ufl.edu

  • Here is the 2010 winning essay by Marija Jankovic.

  • Here is a previous winning essay by Lindsay Keegan.

  • Here is a previous winning essay by Brett W. Baskovich.

  • Here is a previous winning essay by Diego Rojas-Rebolledo.
  • Link of Interest

  • Information about Robert Long