welcome!
We are a large department: about 60 tenured/track faculty and growing (+5 hires this year).
Many of you will come here with a firm idea of what research area to follow, – great, but keeps your eyes open.
Attention a research group recieves is a function of the fraction of the global output it produces.
Denominators matter!
Other ways to explore, – see who is doing what…
program demographics
Typically:
- 150 PhD students
- 50/50 domestic/international
- 35% women
Admission is a complex process: many interdependent parts; goals; constraints.
necessities
funding
All PhD students are fully funded
Most as Teaching Assistants (TA):
- Typically 120 out of 150 students are on TA
- The remainder: RA, fellowship
not all TA jobs are the same:
- Running discussion attached to large lecture (Calculus classes)
- Grading assignments
- Stand-alone course
- Merit program
Assignments often happen in the last minutes, – not always the administration’s fault!
offices
Spread over 3 buildings, Altgeld Hall, Coble Hall and Oil Chemistry Palace. Assignments, typically in the last minute, typically stay fixed year to year.
issues
Rule no. 1 – talk to peers and to us. Help is always near. We are working on instituting structures of mentors/advocates.
process
three stages:
- completing comprehensive requirements
- finding advisor and passing preliminary exam
- doing research
The Holy Text to consult.
comprehensive exams
Early years: Comp system
- Five graduate-level subjects: Analysis, Algebra, + 3 electives
- Exam or course
- Exams offered at three points during the year
Analysis/Algebra: all three periods; other courses: once per year - Courses
Analysis/Algebra: every semester; other courses: once per year
finding research home
- Most students find advisor in 2nd year (expectation: prelim during your 3rd year)
- Difficult process (think: prom date)
doing research
Not just between you and the problem! Humans are involved. A lot of difficult places to navigate…
some details
Coursework:
- Typically: 3 courses each semester
- Other departments fine
MS degree:
- Typically gotten at some point
- MS Math, MS Applied Math (several options)
- Also possible in other departments (ECE, Physics)
end of life cycle (here)
Careers:
- Academia vs. industry: about 50% of each
- Multiple career path programs/activities
- Thinking about role of mathematicians in the world seriously