How to Become a Mathematics Professor

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How to Become a Mathematics Professor

• Michael A. Karls

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Decide to Attend Graduate School

• Choose a graduate school
• Mathematics program
• Research areas
• Location of school
• Financial aid available
• Teaching Assistantship (TA)
• Research Assistantship (RA)
• Fellowships

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Getting into Graduate School (UWM)

• As an example, UW-Milwaukees Graduate School has
  the following minimum requirements for all
  applicants
• Bachelors degree
• 2.75 undergraduate grade point average (4.0
  scale)
• The following materials must be sent to be
  considered
• Completed, signed application form
• Application fee-45 (good for one year)
• Official transcripts
• Reasons for graduate study

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Getting into Graduate School (UWM) (cont.)

• Individual graduate programs may have additional
  requirements, earlier deadlines, or choose to
  admit students only in particular terms.
• The program reviews your application and makes a
  recommendation on your admission to the Graduate
  School.
• Additional items that a department may require
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
• GRE Subject Test
• Letters of recommendation

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Additional Requirements for Graduate School in
Mathematics (UWM)

• For the standard Mathematics/Statistics Option,
  an applicant must meet Graduate School
  requirements plus these departmental requirements
  to be considered for admission to the program
• Completion of three semesters of undergraduate
  calculus.
• At least 18 credits of acceptable undergraduate
  preparation beyond calculus.
• Applicants may be admitted with specific
  program-defined course deficiencies provided that
  the deficiencies amount to no more than two
  courses.
• The student is expected to satisfy deficiency
  requirements within three enrolled semesters.
• The deficiencies are monitored by the Graduate
  School and the individual graduate program unit.
• No course credits earned in making up
  deficiencies may be counted as program credits
  required for the degree.

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Financial Aid (UWM)

• The majority of new graduate students are
  supported by a half-time Teaching Assistantship
  and a Chancellor's Fellowship.
• Half-time TA appointments carry a remission of
  all tuition (in-state and out-of-state) and a
  number of fringe benefits including medical
  insurance.
• The TA stipend for the academic year 2002-2003
  ranged from 9,037 to 12,695, depending on the
  degree program (Master's or Ph.D.) and progress
  toward degree.
• Applicants will usually have their TA stipend
  supplemented by a Chancellor's Fellowship,
  ranging from 2,000 to 9,000.
• Based on satisfactory, progress towards a
  graduate degree, these awards are renewable for
  multiple years.

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Financial Aid (UWM) (cont.)

• Since few large sections of mathematics are
  offered, many Mathematics TAs are given complete
  responsibility for their own sections of algebra
  or calculus under the supervision of a faculty
  coordinator.
• GRE exam scores are desirable, but not required
  for TA applicants.
• Summer Teaching Assistantships are also
  available.

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You get innow what?

• Usually offers that include assistantships are
  sent out by about April 15 for the following fall
  semester.
• Find a place to live
• Dorms
• Affordable for one person
• Less living space
• Apartment
• Need roommate to afford
• Most common housing choice
• Room in familys home
• Other

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First week of graduate school

• TA meetings
• Orientation
• Meet other students
• Practice teaching sessions
• Practice labs set up (physics grad school)
• Talks by other students about teaching
• Social events with older grad students
• Sign up for classes
• Get teaching assignment
• Physics grad schooltwo sections of lab
• Math grad schooltwo sections remedial algebra

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Masters Program Requirements (UWM)

• Minimum degree requirement is 24 to 36 credits
• 24 credits from mathematics courses, at least 18
  credits of which are numbered 700 or above or
• 30 credits from mathematics courses, at least 12
  credits of which are numbered 700 or above or
• At least 36 credits in mathematics courses open
  for graduate credit.
• Under the 30-credit option, up to 9 credits may
  be in approved courses from outside the
  Department.
• Under the 36 credit option, up to 12 credits may
  be taken in approved courses from outside the
  Department.

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Masters Program Requirements (UWM) (cont.)

• Major Professor as Advisor
• The student must have a major professor to advise
  and supervise the student's studies as specified
  in Graduate School regulations.
• The entering graduate student is assigned a
  temporary advisor by the Department Graduate
  Program Coordinator.
• Thesis
• A thesis is optional.
• A maximum of 3 credits of thesis may be counted
  toward the degree requirements.
• An acceptable thesis will represent an original
  contribution and may involve applications, a
  novel exposition, or computational aspects of a
  mathematical problem or theory.
• The student must pass an oral defense of the
  thesis.

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Masters Program Requirements (UWM) (cont.)

• Examination or Project Each student who does
  not elect the thesis option must satisfy one of
  the following requirements
• Pass a written comprehensive examination
• Covers algebra and analysis
• Given once each semester (August, January,
  April/May)
• Present a satisfactory oral and written report on
  a comprehensive project done under the
  supervision of a faculty advisor.

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Masters Program Requirements (UWM) (cont.)

• Time Limit
• Under the 24 or 30 credit option, the student
  must complete all degree requirements within five
  years of initial enrollment.
• Under the 36 credit option, the student must
  complete all degree requirements within seven
  years of initial enrollment.
• GPA Requirement (when I was in school)
• 3.5 needed for graduation
• Lower GPA gt oral examination must be passed to
  graduate

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PhD in Mathematics (UWM)

• Admission
• Applicant must meet Graduate School requirements
  plus departmental requirements as given for
  admission to the master's program.
• A master's degree is not a prerequisite for
  admission to this PhD program.
• Reapplication
• A student who receives the master's degree must
  formally reapply for admission to the Graduate
  School before continuing studies toward the PhD.

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PhD in Mathematics (UWM) (cont.)

• Major Professor as Advisor
• The student must have a major professor to advise
  and supervise the student's studies as specified
  in Graduate School regulations.
• The entering graduate student is assigned a
  temporary advisor by the Department Graduate
  Program Coordinator.

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PhD in Mathematics (UWM) (cont.)

• Course of Study
• Minimum degree requirement is 54 graduate credits
  beyond the bachelor's degree, at least 27 of
  which must be earned in residence at UWM.
• The student, in consultation with the major
  professor, must select both a primary and a
  secondary area of specialization.
• The primary area may be chosen from one of the
  following seven fields with minimum credit
  requirements as shown.
• The secondary area may be chosen from another of
  these fields or may be chosen from another
  appropriate department.
• Minimum course requirements for all work in both
  areas of specialization require approximately two
  full years of study.

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PhD in Mathematics (UWM) (cont.)

• Algebra field. 12 credits in algebra 3 in
  complex analysis 3 in real analysis 3 in
  topology 3 in applied mathematics 3 outside the
  field.
• Analysis field. 3 credits in algebra 6 in
  complex analysis 6 in real analysis 3 in
  topology 3 in applied mathematics 3 outside the
  field.
• Applied mathematics field. 3 credits in algebra
  6 in complex analysis 3 in real analysis 12 in
  applied mathematics 3 outside the field.

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PhD in Mathematics (UWM) (cont.)

• Probability and statistics. 3 credits in complex
  analysis 6 in real analysis 12 in probability
  and statistics 3 in applied mathematics.
• Topology field. 3 credits in algebra 3 in
  complex analysis 3 in real analysis 12 in
  topology 3 in applied mathematics 3 outside the
  field.
• Industrial mathematics field 3 credits in
  algebra or topology 3 in complex analysis 3 in
  real analysis 9 in applied mathematics 6 in
  probability and statistics 6 in approved credits
  outside the 600 and 601 curricular codes.
• Atmospheric sciences field 12 credits in
  atmospheric sciences (synoptic, dynamic,
  cloud/radiative, air pollution) 9 in applied
  mathematics or probability and statistics 3 in
  analysis.

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PhD in Mathematics (UWM) (cont.)

• Foreign Language
• Except for students in the atmospheric sciences
  field, each student must pass a written
  examination in one foreign language
• The examination is administered by the
  Department's Language Committee.
• Acceptable languages are French, German, and
  Russian exceptions may be permitted upon written
  request of advisor.
• Computer Proficiency
• The student shall pass an examination on a higher
  programming language and/or other appropriate
  advanced computer skills
• The examinations are administered by the
  Department's Computer Committee.
• The Computer Committee may accept advanced
  computer science course work in lieu of the
  examination.
• Residence
• The student must meet minimum Graduate School
  residence requirements.

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PhD in Mathematics (UWM) (cont.)

• Doctoral Preliminary Examination
• When the student is sufficiently prepared
  normally when the student has earned 24 credits
  in specified areas above the 700 level a
  doctoral preliminary examination to determine the
  student's knowledge and achievement is taken.
• For students in mathematics, the exam evaluates
  the student's general knowledge of mathematics,
  as well as the student's knowledge of the major
  area of concentration.
• Students in atmospheric sciences are examined in
  three areas at least one from the 190 curricular
  area code and at least one from the 600/601
  curricular area codes. Students must pass this
  examination to continue in the program.
• With permission of the examination committee, the
  student may repeat this examination once.
• If the student does not have a master's degree in
  mathematics before this examination, the
  committee will determine whether the student's
  performance is sufficient to qualify for the
  master's degree.

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PhD in Mathematics (UWM) (cont.)

• Doctoral Dissertation Proposal Hearing
• After passing the language requirements and the
  doctoral preliminary examination, the student
  participates in a doctoral dissertation proposal
  hearing.
• At this hearing, the student is examined on the
  student's chosen area of research and a
  dissertation topic is approved.
• Dissertation
• The primary requirement for the PhD in
  mathematics is the candidate's completion, under
  the supervision of the Department advisor, of an
  original and significant mathematical
  investigation presented in the form of a
  dissertation.
• The investigation is to be in the field of
  algebra, analysis, applied mathematics,
  probability and statistics, topology, or
  atmospheric sciences.
• A dissertation for the industrial mathematics
  field must involve an industrial problem
  requiring a mathematical solution.

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PhD in Mathematics (UWM) (cont.)

• Dissertation Defense
• The candidate must, as the final step toward the
  degree, present a colloquium based on the
  dissertation and must pass an oral examination in
  defense of the dissertation.
• If the candidate does not successfully defend a
  thesis within five years of admission to
  candidacy, the candidate may be required to take
  another doctoral preliminary examination and be
  readmitted to candidacy.
• Time Limit
• All degree requirements must be completed within
  ten years from the date of initial enrollment in
  the doctoral program.

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Looking for an Academic Job

• Position announcements appear in fall semester
  for openings that start the following fall
  semester.
• AMS Employment in the Mathematical Sciences
  (EIMS) https//www.ams.org/eims/
• MAA FOCUS http//www.maa.org/pubs/employ.html
• Chronicle of Higher Education http//chronicle.com
  /

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Example of a Job Announcement in EIMS

• EIMS Employment Listing
• Posting Date August 18, 2003Expires December
  16, 2003 Institution/Company Grand Valley State
  University Department Mathematics
• Employer Type(s) Academic
• Position Type(s) Tenure or Tenure-Track Faculty
• Subject Area(s) Mathematics
• Geographic Location of Position Michigan
• Position Description Grand Valley State
  University, in Allendale, Michigan, is accepting
  applications for the position of Assistant or
  Associate Professor in Mathematics, with
  employment to begin in August 2004. Required
  qualifications include a Ph.D. in Mathematics
  demonstrated excellence in teaching undergraduate
  mathematics a commitment to continued scholarly
  and professional growth strong teaching
  recommendations a willingness to have students
  use technological tools to promote understanding
  and evidence of critical, reflective thinking
  about the teaching and learning of mathematics at
  the undergraduate level. All candidates must be
  interested in teaching courses throughout the
  curriculum, including precalculus mathematics.
  For more information, including
  responsibilities of the position, and important
  details on how to apply, see our position
  description at www.gvsu.edu/math/jobs.html.
  Review of applications will begin by December 5,
  2003 and continue until the position is filled,
  or the search is closed.
• For more information about the position or
  institution/company http//www.gvsu.edu/math/jobs
  .html
• Deadline for Applications December 5, 2003

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More Information About Grand Valley State Position

• Tenure track position in Mathematics , Assistant
  or Associate Professor Note Candidates for the
  tenure track position in Mathematics are strongly
  encouraged to have their application complete by
  December 5, 2003, because preliminary interviews
  will be conducted at the Joint Meetings of the
  AMS-MAA in Phoenix.

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How to Apply to Grand Valley State Position

• How To Apply A complete application must
  include
• (1) a personal statement that addresses the
  applicants teaching experience, philosophy, and
  methodology along with the applicants
  scholarship interests, experiences, and
  potential
• (2) a vita
• (3) a copy of graduate transcripts and
• (4) at least three letters of recommendation,
  with at least two attesting to the applicants
  teaching ability and potential.
• Send these materials to
• Search Committee Attn Search M Department of
  Mathematics Grand Valley State University
  Allendale, MI 49401-9403
• Deadline Review of applications will begin by
  December 5, 2003 and continue until the position
  is filled, or the search is closed. Recruitment
  for this position is subject to the availability
  of funding.

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Joint Meetings of the AMS/MAA

• Held each winter
• One of the largest meetings for professional
  mathematicians
• Employment Register
• Employers post positions available
• Job seekers fill out cover sheet outlining
  background and interest
• Employers request applicants
• Applicants request employers
• Computers match requests
• Mini interviews are held (15 minutes)
• Additional interviews are held outside of
  employment register
• In 1993 when I was looking for a position
• Approximately 600 PhDs looking for a job
• I got 12 interviews at Employment Register
• Ball State interviewed me outside of register

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Typical Academic Position Job Interview

• Candidate is invited to campus by search
  committee
• Interview takes place over two days
• Day 1
• Candidate arrives
• Search Committee members take candidate out to
  dinner
• Day 2
• Informal breakfast with department members
• Meeting with departmental Promotion and Tenure
  Committee
• Meeting with College Dean
• Campus Tour
• Lunch with selected faculty members
• General talk on research to department faculty
  and students
• Chalk Talk on research with faculty in research
  area
• City tour, including housing in area
• Dinner with department chair
• Reception with departmental faculty
• Day 3
• Candidate departs

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Professor!

• Main Responsibilities
• Teaching
• 8-9 credit hours/semester
• 3 hr prep per hour in class ) 24-27 prep hours
• 32-36 hours for teaching
• Research
• Publish refereed journal articles
• Give talks on research
• Attend conferences and workshops
• Service
• Departmental committees
• College and University committees
• Hiring committees
• State and National committees and boards
• Professional meetings

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Professor!

• Tenure
• Seven year probationary period
• Rated on each of the three areas
• All three needed to be tenured
• Rank
• Assistant Professor
• Associate Professor
• Professor