Opportunities and Extracurricular Activities

  • The Department of Mathematics sponsors meetings of the student-run Undergraduate Mathematics Club. Each quarter, the Math Club weekly in the afternoon, with talks by undergraduates and refreshments (sometimes even pizza).
  • Interested in getting some teaching experience? There are two volunteer opportunities for you on and near campus. The Department has a Young Scholars Program for Mathematically Talented junior High School and High School Students (hereafter known as YSP). This program mostly works with students from local Chicago Public Schools. While the main activity of this program is in the Summer, the academic year component meets four Saturday mornings each academic quarter from 9:30 until noon in Eckhart Hall. This Autumn, the dates for the YSP are October 13, October 27, November 10, and November 24 and. Volunteers will attend a presentation with either the junior high or high school group, and then lead a small problem solving session with the students. Not only are these students fun and interesting to work with, but also if you participate in the academic year program your chances for getting a summer job as a YSP counselor are enhanced.
    In the neighborhood, the Blue Gargoyle Youth Service Agency has several tutoring programs for students at the local schools and for adults. If you are interested in being a volunteer, please call 955-4108.
  • The Putnam Exam on the first Saturday of December promises to be its usual challenging day of mathematical experience. Practices are once a week. Anyone with the least bit of interest is welcome to join in the torture...er... fun. Watch this space for an announcement of practice times.
  • Student memberships in the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) are available at a reduced rate through the University of Chicago Student Chapter. Benefits of membership in this professional society include subscriptions to journals and reduced prices on books published by the MAA. If you are interested, please see Diane Herrmann. Diane also has membership information for the Association for Women in Mathematics.
  • What do you want to be when you grow up? Mathematical Scientists at Work is published by the MAA and gives a glimpse of opportunities available to mathematically trained women and men. This booklet is free for the asking in Eckhart 212.

Notices for Mathematics Majors

  • Are you a fourth year? If so, you need to drop by my office to make sure that your degree requirements are in order. This will help avoid last minute terror (on your part and mine) and will give me a chance to find out what your plans for the future are...if you have them.
  • Are you hoping to attend graduate school in mathematics or a related field? Watch this space for an announcement about our annual graduate school meeting featuring information about the application procedure, advice about letters of recommendation, and particular information about programs in mathematics, computer science, statistics, and financial mathematics.
  • Several fellowships are available to students doing graduate work in mathematics and related fields. Application deadline for the National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship is November 7, 2001.
  • We also have a student chapter of the Association for Women in Mathematics.
  • Feel free to stop by Diane Herrmann's office during office hours to chat. Hours this quarter are Mondays from 1:30-3:00 and Thursdays from 2:30-4:00.