Department of Mathematical SciencesThe University of Texas at El Paso

1

Going to Graduate School in Mathematics

Helmut KnaustAssociate ProfessorDepartment of Mathematical Sciences

July 2013MAA-NREUP at UTEP

Department of Mathematical SciencesThe University of Texas at El Paso

2

• Overview– Introducing Myself– Mathematics as a Profession– Graduate programs at UTEP– Teaching College Level Mathematics– Preparing for Graduate School– Applying to Graduate School– Financial Support

Department of Mathematical SciencesThe University of Texas at El Paso

3

• Why did I study Math?

– Encouragement from • My Dad• My Mathematics High School Teacher

– I was good at Math

– Promise of a secure job as a Math Teacher

Department of Mathematical SciencesThe University of Texas at El Paso

4

• First one in my family to attend a university

• Started out as a commuter student at the local university

• Goal: Become a HS Math Teacher

University of Bielefeld, Germany

Department of Mathematical SciencesThe University of Texas at El Paso

5

• Transfer student• Got M.S. in

Mathematics

University of Bonn, Germany

Department of Mathematical SciencesThe University of Texas at El Paso

6

• Ph.D. from UT Austin in 1989

• At UTEP since 1991• 2001-2003 Director of the Entering Students Program in Science and Engineering• 2003-2008 Department Chair

Department of Mathematical SciencesThe University of Texas at El Paso

7

Department of Mathematical SciencesThe University of Texas at El Paso

8

• “Hot Areas” for Applying Mathematics

• Computational Science• Mathematical Biology• Bioinformatics• Biostatistics• Modeling of Environmental Systems• Modeling of Geophysics Systems• Mathematics Education

Department of Mathematical SciencesThe University of Texas at El Paso

9

Broad range of positions in • Business,• Industry, • Government, • and Education

Employers include• Federal, state and local government,• Companies in the computer and communications industries,• Oil and energy companies, • Banks and insurance companies, • Consulting firms

• Mathematics as a Career

Department of Mathematical SciencesThe University of Texas at El Paso

10

• Mathematics as a Career– Federal Agencies hiring Mathematicians include:

• National Security Agency • Dept. of Health and Human Services• Dept. of Energy• Dept. of Defense• Dept. of Labor

– A Mathematics major is also an excellent preparation for graduate studies in:• Economics• Law School

Department of Mathematical SciencesThe University of Texas at El Paso

11

• Resource for Math Careers:– Andrew Sterrett (ed.).“101

Careers in Mathematics”, Mathematical Association of America, 2nd ed. 2003.

Quiz:Who Is UTEP’s Most

Famous Math Alumnus?

Larry DurhamBachelor’s in Mathematics 1966

Department of Mathematical SciencesThe University of Texas at El Paso

12

• Information about Mathematics as a Profession and Graduate Schools

– AMS - The profession– AMS - Data on the profession

• Department Rankings – Group I• Department Rankings – Group II

Department of Mathematical SciencesThe University of Texas at El Paso

13

Department of Mathematical SciencesThe University of Texas at El Paso

14

Department of Mathematical SciencesThe University of Texas at El Paso

15

• Graduate Programs at UTEP

MS in MathematicsMS in StatisticsMAT in Mathematics

MS in Bioinformatics (interdisciplinary)

MS/Ph.D. in Computational Science (interdisciplinary)

Department of Mathematical SciencesThe University of Texas at El Paso

16

• Teaching College Mathematics:

• Minimum requirement: Master’s degree in the Mathematical Sciences

• Job opportunities:•Teaching introductory courses at a community college

or university•Teaching dual-credit courses at a High School•Teaching at an Early College High School

Department of Mathematical SciencesThe University of Texas at El Paso

17

• Applying to Graduate School

• Deadlines are usually December/January for Admission in the following Fall semester

• Many universities require the GRE (Graduate Record Examination)• General GRE website• Mathematics Subject Test

• Practise Booklet

Department of Mathematical SciencesThe University of Texas at El Paso

18

•Applying to Graduate School II

• Desirable Coursework for Ph.D. programs (in Pure Math):• Two Analysis courses (Math 3341 &

Math 4341)• Linear Algebra (Math 4326) • Abstract Algebra (Math 4325)

• 3(?) Letters of Recommendation

Department of Mathematical SciencesThe University of Texas at El Paso

19

• Applying to Graduate School III

• “Localize” applications:

• Research the Math department of the institution you apply to

• Mention why you want to study in their department

Department of Mathematical SciencesThe University of Texas at El Paso

20

• Financial support

• Ask for financial support!!

• Tuition waivers• Teaching Assistantships• Stipends/Fellowships• Are there limitations time-wise? (A Ph.D.

program will take 4-6 years to complete.)

Department of Mathematical SciencesThe University of Texas at El Paso

21

“The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.”

Michelangelo (1475-1564)