MTH 599: Introduction to Mathematics Profession

  • This class is a professional development class on "Introduction to Mathematics Profession" coordinated by Graduate Chair, M. Peszynska, with participation by other Mathematics Graduate Faculty, and guests.

    Students who complete this class will have satisfied the Ethics component of graduate study required by Graduate School.

  • Class content: We will dicuss the ethics of the profession and more generally "responsible conduct of research", and how this is applied in our field of mathematics. Other topics will include discussions on career options for mathematicians, developing skills and techniques to identify/ apply/ compete for/ and suceed in (i) academia, (ii) government, (iii) industry, and other (?) careers. We will touch upon mathematical writing and presentations, and techniques to research using library and online tools.
    As we continue towards Spring, we will talk about how to choose an major professor/adviser who would guide you through the rest of your graduate study. There might be a few visits from Mathematics Graduate Faculty (more in Spring) who would present opportunities in their area, and an occasional visit from Tevian Dray to discuss any ongoing teaching issues.

  • Meetings: Most weeks we will meet on Wednesdays noon in GLK 104. Some weeks the location might be different and will be announced ahead of the time.
  • Grading is on S/U basis.
    1. Attendance in all but one class meetings is required for an S grade. In extenuating circumstances (when more absences are inevitable), please contact the Instructor.
    2. The class will be run as a "flipped" classroom: reading of some materials will be assigned, and students are expected to come to the class meetings prepared.
    3. Active participation in discussions and class activities is required. This will include answering to polls, emails, and similar, as dictated by class schedule.

    Special arrangements for students with disabilities: please contact the instructor and Services for Students with Disabilities prior to or during the first week of the term to discuss accommodations. Students who believe they are eligible for accommodations but who have not yet obtained approval through DAS should contact DAS immediately at 737-4098.
    Course drop/add information is at http://oregonstate.edu/registrar/.
    Student Conduct: All students are expected to obey to OSU's student conduct regulations, see OSU's Statement of Expectations for Student Conduct at this link http://studentlife.oregonstate.edu/sites/studentlife.oregonstate.edu/files/student_conduct_code_1.pdf, and specifically the information about Academic or Scholarly Dishonesty beginning on p.2. In particular, please consult the definitions of (A) CHEATING, (C) ASSISTING, and (E) PLAGIARISM, as well as recommended handling.

  • Weekly Schedule:
    1. 1/6/16: Introduction. Read Diane O'Leary's Gradstudy or this link (Chapter 4 and especially 4.7) and AMS blog.
    2. 1/13/16: Career options. Read Chapters 10,11,12 in O'Leary's book and follow the links as in the email. Assignment (by email) due Tue 1/12/15 by 5:00pm.

      Additional links provided by the students: OSU Career Development Center, Thinking of a Career in Applied Mathematics?. Also: [www.maa.org], [www.siam.org], [gecd.mit.edu], [www.career.cornell.edu], [www.phdcareerguide.com]

      Handout by Hersh.
    3. 1/20/16: Ethics in Mathematics AMS Ethics Guidelines, link to a paper (by email), and Chapter 13 from O'Leary's book.
    4. 1/27/16: Teaching check (with Tevian Dray).
    5. 2/3/16: Library resources for research with hands-on activities. Also, what are Citation Indices. HW on using the resources for ethics topics. [Valley 2082 (Autzen classroom)]. Guest: Uta Hussong-Christian.
    6. 2/10/16: Responsible conduct of research. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25009901. The three main obligations. Treatment of data. Discovering an error.
      HW: further topics: CoI, Order of authorship, Publications.
      Read about plagiarism https://ori.hhs.gov/images/ddblock/plagiarism.pdf HW: quote properly using the Guidelines
    7. 2/17/16: No noon meeting. Instead, participate in Math professional development event.
    8. 2/24/16: Finding an adviser, first discussion. Read Chapter 7, "How to choose an adviser" from O'Leary's book. Also more general adviser-mentor seeking with pointers on what to do when you change your mind. Finally, lightly written article on "Care and Maintenance of Your Adviser" by Kearns and Gardiner, on styles of advising and adviser-advisee relationships.
    9. 3/2/16: Research group presentation: Professors Beisiegel, Dick, Lockwood.
    10. 3/9/16: Ethics in mathematics teaching.
    11. 3/30/16: New term advising.
    12. 4/6/16: Research group presentation: Professors Cozzi, Dascaliuc.
    13. 4/13/16: Research group presentation: Professors Gibson, Higdon.
    14. 4/20/16: Research group presentation: Professors Showalter, Peszynska.
    15. 4/27/16: Research group presentation: Professors Waymire, Burton.
    16. 5/4/16: NRT presentation.
    17. 5/11/16: Case studies.
    18. 5/18/16: Summer teaching and syllabi.
    19. 5/25/16: Advising.
    20. 6/1/16: Wrap-up pizza.