Cooper Barton
The University of Adelaide
After completing a Bachelor of Mathematical Sciences (Advanced) at the University of Adelaide in 2023, I am now beginning my honours year. In my undergraduate studies I enjoyed studying advanced mathematical perspectives, probability, cryptography, computer science and linguistics. My honours research will explore the universal approximation theorem, which underpins neural networks and deep learning. In future years I hope to pursue postgraduate study and I am considering a career in academia.
1. Can you give me a quick rundown about the type of mathematics you are studying and its potential impacts for the broader community (think how you would explain your work and studies to others who don’t study maths)
I am studying the universal approximation theorem, which describes the working of neural networks. Neural networks are at the heart of machine learning and deep learning. I aim to update the early literature and the original proof of the theorem using contemporary neural network terminology. Neural networks are attracting an enormous amount of investment and fuelling economic growth around the world, so improving our understanding of the underpinning mathematics could have a large impact.
2. How did you get into mathematics/statistics/data science? Was there someone or something that inspired you to this field?
Maths was always a subject I was good at, and at high school I was able to accelerate, and even begin some university maths studies. That made maths much more interesting, and I began to see it as something I could pursue for a career. When I began studying at university, I greatly enjoyed the research projects in my Advanced Mathematical Perspectives subjects, and they inspired me to pursue a pure maths specialisation.
3. You received a Travel Grant to attend AMSI Summer School 2024. How important was this in terms of your ability to attend, fully participate in the program and meet others studying in similar fields? Do you think it was an advantage to attend the program in-person?
The Travel Grant meant I was able to attend in person without suffering financial stress. I have always found it difficult to be fully engaged in my studies when they are conducted online. I have never been able to properly engage in discussions online. During the COVID period of online learning I was much less successful in my studies than I am now when I can attend in person, feel involved and join in class discussions. So I knew I needed to attend AMSI in person to succeed in my course. Being able to socialise with other maths students was a major reason to attend as well.
4. What was the most valuable part of the program for you?
Being able to do a course to count towards my studies at my home university will really take pressure off me during the year, and will enable me to spend more time on my own research project.
5. In the long-term, what do you think are the benefits of having attended Summer School?
Summer School helped my studies, by enabling me to complete a course, helped the summer fly by, and gave me confidence in meeting and socialising with other maths students. I have now formed connections with maths students in almost every state of Australia, so I will have people to contact wherever I travel or study in the future. And I now know a lot more about hyperbolic knot theory too.
6. Summer School included a special Careers Day program which aims to help give students an idea of the kinds of career paths available to maths graduates in industry and private sector research areas. Do you feel better equipped to explore career options in the mathematical sciences after attending AMSI Summer School?
I was already aware of some of the options for maths graduates, and I have not changed my plans as a result of Careers Day. However, it is useful to be reminded that I have other options in case my current plans don’t work out. I now have further insight into how my background in cryptography and linguistics (as well as maths) could be relevant to future work with employers such as the Australian Signals Directorate.
7. What advice would you give to someone who is considering applying for Summer School in 2025? Should they apply and why?
I encourage other honours or postgraduate maths students to apply for Summer School. It is a great combination of studying interesting maths and socialising with interesting maths people.
8. What are your current career ambitions in the mathematical sciences sector?
I will continue to pursue postgraduate study in pure mathematics and, if that goes well, consider a career in academia.
9. How did connecting with the community at AMSI Summer School support your experience?
Without a community of friendly, supportive maths students, Summer School would have been long and lonely. Connecting with the community meant that, when I wasn’t doing maths, I was playing table tennis, cards, board games or video games with friends, or going out to dinner. There was always something to do and filling up the days was easy.
10. Any other feedback/comments you would like to provide on the AMSI Travel Grant or AMSI Summer School 2024?
I want to encourage future Summer School organisers to choose accommodation with air conditioning!