1. Department of Mathematical Sciences The University of Texas at El Paso 1 Going to Graduate School in Mathematics Helmut Knaust Associate Professor Department of Mathematical Sciences July 2013 MAA-NREUP at UTEP

2. Department of Mathematical Sciences The 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

3. Department of Mathematical Sciences The 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

4. Department of Mathematical Sciences The 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

5. Department of Mathematical Sciences The University of Texas at El Paso 5 Transfer student Got M.S. in Mathematics University of Bonn, Germany

6. Department of Mathematical Sciences The 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

7. Department of Mathematical Sciences The University of Texas at El Paso 7

8. 8 “Hot Areas” for Applying Mathematics Computational Science Mathematical Biology Bioinformatics Biostatistics Modeling of Environmental Systems Modeling of Geophysics Systems Mathematics Education

9. Department of Mathematical Sciences The 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

10. Department of Mathematical Sciences The 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

11. Department of Mathematical Sciences The 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 Durham Bachelor’s in Mathematics 1966

12. Department of Mathematical Sciences The University of Texas at El Paso 12 Information about Mathematics as a Profession and Graduate Schools –AMS - The professionAMS - The profession –AMS - Data on the professionAMS - Data on the profession Department Rankings – Group I Department Rankings – Group II

13. Department of Mathematical Sciences The University of Texas at El Paso 13

14. Department of Mathematical Sciences The University of Texas at El Paso 14

15. Department of Mathematical Sciences The University of Texas at El Paso 15 Graduate Programs at UTEP MS in Mathematics MS in Statistics MAT in Mathematics MS in Bioinformatics (interdisciplinary) MS/Ph.D. in Computational Science (interdisciplinary)

16. Department of Mathematical Sciences The 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

17. Department of Mathematical Sciences The 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

18. Department of Mathematical Sciences The 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

19. Department of Mathematical Sciences The 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

20. Department of Mathematical Sciences The 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.)

21. Department of Mathematical Sciences The 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)