Having Trouble Finding a Faculty Member for Math Undergraduate Research I am an undergraduate pursuing mathematics and computer science in the research university at U.S.  Inspired from the applications of algebra to math and statistics, I have been trying to find a suitable project in the mathematics with supervision from a faculty member, or a reading course in some topics of the pure mathematics.  I have been sending emails to professors at the math department for either a reading course or a project (regardless of the difficulty) I can pursue, but they are either not interested or ignoring my emails and corresponding followup reminders.  When I visited one of faculties during her office hour, she told me that she have been ignoring my emails since she is not interested in my proposal of research idea (I felt sad for a while as I hope she just informed me she is not available).  

The general outline is that I approach professors doing research similar to my interest, and ask them if they have any available project.  If they do not have projects, then I ask them if they are interested in hearing about my own ideas.

I am started to feel anxious about it as I really like to work with professors in the mathematics (my interests are not really in the domain of CS, but more or less the pure mathematics and its applications in theories of CS); I am interested in their research, but they are not interested. I understand the busy schedules of professors, so I am curious if there us any way to approach them to acquire the opportunities of project or reading course. So far, none of the professors at the department is interested or available...
I'm going to suggest that you take a different approach, for now.


When you visit or email a researcher, start by reading some of his or her writing.  The start the conversation by speaking about the article you read.  Mention something you found interesting or well explained.  Ask a question about something you didn't understand.  If necessary ask for some recommended background papers.  Ask a question about future directions.  Then ask the researcher what s/he is working on currently.  Be a good listener.
Keep a notebook of project ideas.  Put your current project in this notebook.
Ask each professor you visit if s/he has any projects to offer for summer.  Listen carefully to the project description.