Honors Theses

Date of Award

5-2025

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

Degree Name

BS

Department

Mathematics and Statistics

Faculty Mentor

Tom Johnston

Advisor(s)

Steven Clontz, Ryan Benton

Abstract

Research Software Engineering is critical to modern mathematical research, enabling the creation, maintenance, and dissemination of computational tools that bridge theory and practice. However, the field faces systemic challenges, including insufficient funding, lack of institutional recognition, and gaps in training and infrastructure. This thesis investigates these challenges through two approaches: (1) a comparative survey study focused on mathematicians and (2) hands-on contributions to an open-source research software project.

The Improving Research Software Engineering in Mathematics survey, conducted from September 2024 to January 2025, adapts the survey framework developed by Carver et al. in A survey of the state of the practice for research software in the United States to analyze research software engineering practices among mathematicians.

The thesis details contributions to 1r-Base, a community-driven database of topological counterexamples. Software contributions include a dynamic citation button and an External Markdown feature, both of which were developed through collaborative workflows adhering to continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) practices. These contributions emphasize the importance of community development efforts in sustaining research software.

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