Fall
2007 Math Majors
Meeting
Tuesday,
September
25th
7:00 pm, Blocker 102
Dr. David Larson, Associate Head---
> Welcome
> Enrollment this year is 300+ with 93 new freshman and transfer students entering this fall. We also have 300+ math minors, and we are always looking to recruit more, so put your friends in contact with Donna if they are interested in switching to math or double majoring, etc. Or they can visit our "contact us" website: http://www.math.tamu.edu/contact/.
> GPR requirements
1. If a student gets a D in 171/151, 172/152, 221/253/251, 220, 222, 308/451 they must retake the course and receive a C or better to advance to the next level. 2. Students are not allowed more than two (2) D's in upper level (300-400 level) math classes. If a student receives a third D, then he must retake one of the three classes that he made a D in and receive a C or better.
> High School Math Contest - This years contest is on Saturday, November 17th from 8-3pm in the Wehner Building on West Campus. We are in need of a t-shirt design for the coaches and participants. If you would like to submit a design, please send it to Donna. We will need volunteers for proctoring, grading, lobby monitoring, and running errands. If you are willing to help out, breakfast and lunch will be provided. Donna will send out an e-mail soon asking for volunteers.
> Best in Class Awards Presentation - The top student in each section of various 400 level math courses received a cash award and a certificate. Presented 9 awards from last spring to: Ben Holladay, Katie Schlecht, Bret Lockhart, Sara Cox, Hannah Saugier, Chris Barot, Jason Pfister, Paul Geffert and Amy Doslich.
>Academic Achievement Scholarship Presentation - Each spring applications are accepted for Academic Achievement scholarships. Presented 7 awards to: Ryan Mattiza, Tami Parten, Amanda Molsberry, Josh Gutz, Shannon Cavanaugh, Allison Hendley and Michael Ledbetter.
>Freshman Calclab Scholarship Presentation - Each fall essays are accepted for Freshman Calclab scholarships. Presented 3 awards to: Gary Newman, Staci Stephens, and Ellen Paige.
> Degree Audits - Done the semester BEFORE you plan to graduate. Dr. Stecher has no idea who wants to graduate until he is contacted by the student. So, contact him the semester before you plan to graduate so he can review your degree plan and make sure you are set to graduate. Plan also to touch bases with him before the end of the first week of the semester you plan to graduate, so if you need an additional class at the last minute, it can still be added that week. If you have questions about your degree audit at any time, e-mail him at: stecher@math.tamu.edu
Dr. Mila Mogilevsky---
> Career Fair - The Math Career Fair is Wednesday, October 10th from 10:00am - 3:00pm on the 2nd floor of the MSC. "The best time to LOOK for a job is when you do not NEED one!" Plan to attend panel discussions from 7:00 - 8:30pm at the Math Club meeting on Tuesday, October 9th and visit booths at the MSC on Wednesday.
> If you plan to take ENGL 104 here at TAMU, you must take it **BEFORE** you have 60 credit hours.
> If you are in catalog 124 or later, you need only 2 KINE's. One 199 and one 198. KINE 199 must be S/U and KINE 198 can be either S/U or for a grade.
>Core Curriculum - If you are in catalog 125 or later, you must complete 6 hours of International and Cultural Diversity core requirements. If you are on the BA Math Certification plan, these 6 hours are built into your curriculum. Otherwise, there are courses that will double up and count for other core requirements. Free elective hours are increased if you choose courses that double up. For a list of these courses, see the department's webpage: http://www.math.tamu.edu/teaching/undergrad/degreeRequirementsFrame.html
> Q-drop deadline is Friday, Nov. 2nd.
> See department webpages at: http://www.math.tamu.edu/ugs for sample degree plans and semester by semester plans to aid in choosing classes for spring. The key is to keep your scheduled balanced between technical classes (math and science) and non-technical classes (core courses, etc.). Having to take 4 upper level math classes your last semester is not recommended!
> What Can you do with a Math Degree? See the AMS webpage for a printable flyer:
http://www.ams.org/employment/what-mathdegree.pdf
> Preregistration for Spring '07 starts on Thursday, November 15th and goes through Tuesday, December 4th.
> Last day of the fall semester is Tuesday, December 4th
> Advising Hours: Monday 2:00 - 4:00pm, Thursday 3:30-5:00pm.
> The Math Department handles all forces for math classes with an online force request page. The page will be activated about 2-3 weeks prior to the start of spring classes. Watch for an email from Donna letting you know when the page is active. If you need a force into a course other than math, you should contact that department. All departments handle their own forces and they set their own forcing policies.
> First Year Grade Exclusion Policy --A freshman student currently enrolled as "first time in college" may elect to exclude from his/her undergraduate degree and cumulative GPR calculation grades of D, F, or U. This exclusion shall be permitted for up to a maximum of three courses taken for credit at Texas A&M University during the twelve month period beginning with the student's initial enrollment at Texas A&M.
> Useful websites:
*Undergraduate Program - http://www.math.tamu.edu/ugs
*Course Catalog – http://www.tamu.edu/admissions/catalogs/0607_UG_Catalog/course_descriptions/index.htm
*Qdrop form - http://admissions.tamu.edu/forms/registrarForms/Q-Drop_Form.pdf
*Available Courses - http://courses.tamu.edu
Dr. Sue Geller, Honors Program---
> Dr. Geller introduced herself as the Director of the Mathematics Honors Program. She noted that the Major in Mathematics with Honors is the first such program on the A&M campus. Her goal is to get more people involved in the honors program; she wants APMS and BA majors to become involved as well as BS majors who plan to attend graduate school. Our honors program requires a cumulative 3.5 overall GPA, and a 3.25 and no grade lower than a B in the 21 required courses. Even if one has not taken an honors course in the past, see Dr. Geller for assistance in getting a class. Anyone with interest or questions about our new honors program, can contact Dr. Geller at geller@math.tamu.edu or stop by her office in Milner 128. You can view the full Major in Mathematics with Honors plan online at:
http://www.teaching/undergrad/ugs/honorsmajor22march05.html
> Honors Mentor Program - If you take an honors class, you are eligible for employment as an honors mentor for the class at a rate of 9.00 per hour for 5 hours per week. If you are interested in applying to be an honors mentor next spring, please email Dr. Geller at geller@math.tamu.edu.
> Nebraska Conference for Women in Math, February 2008 - Dr. Geller has funds to assist with travel expenses for preferably sophomore level and above students who would like to attend the conference to either present research or as preparation for presenting in the future. If you are interested in attending, please contact Dr. Geller at geller@math.tamu.edu.
> MAA Joint Mathematics Meeting, January 2008 - Dr. Geller has funding for one upper level student who intends to attend graduate school to go to San Diego in January 2008. Email Dr. Geller if you would like to attend the Joint Meetings in January 2008.
> Mathfest, August 2008 - Dr. Geller has funding to support 4 non-presenting students for Mathfest in August 2008. She would like to have 2 BA (teaching field) students and 2 BS degree seeking students. Again, if interested email her at geller@math.tamu.edu.
Dr. Philip Yasskin, Math Club Sponsor ---
> Announced Math Club Officers -
President - Hannah Saugier
Vice President - Jason Pfister
Treasurer - Ryan Mattiza
Communications Officer - Andrew Harrell
AWM Chair - Amanda Dailey
> Math Club is looking for new members! Its fun, a good way to meet fellow math majors, and everyone is eligible to attend.
> Upcoming Math Club Meetings -
*Tuesday, October 9th at 7:00pm in Blocker 156. Program: Employer and Former Student Panel Discussion. Panelists are listed on the Career Fair Website:
http://www.math.tamu.edu/ugs/careerfairFrame.html
FREE PIZZA and SODA..ALL MAJORS WELCOME!!!
*Monday, October 29th at 7:00pm in Blocker 627. Program: Dr. Al Boggess, Department Head, topic TBA
FREE PIZZA and SODA..ALL MAJORS WELCOME!!!
*Monday, November 12th at 7:00pm in Blocker 627. Program: Dr. Turocy, Economics, topic TBA
FREE PIZZA and SODA..ALL MAJORS WELCOME!!!
*Tuesday, December 4th in Blocker 628...time TBA. "Movie Night" showing of Straw Dogs with Dustin Hoffman.
Snacks provided.
*Tuesday, January 29th at 7:00pm in Blocker 627. Program: Don Birkelbach, College of Science, topic: Resume writing.
FREE PIZZA and SODA..ALL MAJORS WELCOME!!!
*Spring 2008. Melanie Pivarski will speak at one meeting on Permutation Groups and Contra Dancing.
> Problem of the Month Contest - Every two weeks a problem will be posted in the math lounge and on the Math Club bulletin board on the 1st floor of Blocker. The first to answer the problem correctly wins a free Math t-shirt. Top problem solver for the year is eligible to attend the Problem Solving Contest at the national Mathfest meeting in August.
> Pi Mu Epsilon (National Math Honor Society) Eligibility Requirements:
Sophomores--
1. Must have completed 3 semesters at a 4-year university.
2. Must have taken Math 221 and 220 (or equivalent courses).
3. Must have a 4.0 GPR in all math classes.
4. Must have a 3.25 overall GPR.
Juniors and Seniors--
1. Must have a 3.0 GPR in all math classes.
2. Must have a 3.0 overall GPR.
Freshman--
By special waiver on a case by case basis
If you have not been notified this semester and you feel that you meet these requirements, please contact Donna via email and she can review your transcript.
> All students are eligible to join the MAA (Mathematical Association of America) and the cost is $30.00 per year and you receive the Math Horizons magazine and a Focus newsletter with a paid membership. The Chapter number for the membership form is 00300453.
Dr. Doug Hensley---
> The Putnam Contest is a national competition open to all universities in the US and Canada. Our team has placed in the top 20 in the past. This year's competition is on Saturday, December 1 from 9-12 and then a long break for lunch at Cafe Eccel (to rest your brain!) and resuming from 2-5pm. Even if you did not enroll in the 1 hour Putnam Challenge Course (Math 490), you can still join the team on Wednesday afternoons from 4:10 - 5:25pm in Blocker 108 to practice solving problems. For more info on the Putnam Contest, see Dr. Hensley's webpage at: http://www.math.tamu.edu/~doug.hensley/putnampage.html
Dr. Ellen Toby---
> Dr. Toby introduced herself as the advisor for students pursuing the BS APMS STAT option degree plan. Dr. Toby spent several years teaching in the Math Department and is now with the Statistics Department. If you have any questions or interest in learning more about a career in Statistics, please contact her at either e-toby@tamu.edu or ellen@stat.tamu.edu. Students receiving a Masters in STAT definitely have alot of job opportunities...but she also added that STAT is not for everyone (alot of Linear Algebra!), but if it is, then be sure to contact her and get to know her.
Donna Hoffman---
> Introduced new student worker, Alicia Israel. Alicia is a sophomore APMS major and has helped tremendously with the coordination of the meeting.
> For the first time, we are joining the Sciences Career Fair on the second floor of the MSC. Please make an effort to attend even though it is not "on the way to class." It will be on Wednesday, October 10th from 10:00 - 3:00pm. Volunteers are still needed to assist with set up and take down. Set up is from 8:00 - 10:00am that morning and take down is from 3:00 - 4:00pm.
> Math Club Panel Discussion is on Tuesday, October 9th at 7pm in Blocker 156. There are currently 8 panelists signed up to attend. Please be thinking of questions you would like to ask these former students and industry representatives.
>>Math Tshirts and decals are as always for sale in Blocker 605. A new shipment of shirts will be ordered soon and due in by November 15th.
>Text and reference books are available in Blocker 605 for students to check out at any time.
> Fall Semester calendars were passed out, and are available in Donna's office. The department is switching to a new webserver and the calendar is not yet available for viewing online, but will be soon.
>Students were asked to sign in by either initialing that their email address is correct or indicating a new email address for the math major listserv.
Mr. William Sea, Teach for America---
> William spoke briefly on the Teach for America organization. The program requires you to devote 2 years to teaching in a rural or urban school and in exchange you receive assistance on loans, etc. Three reasons to join TFA: *Great opportunity to make an impact in your field *Work with other civic-minded individuals *The skills gained through your relationship with others will help in your career or in graduate school
Their 2nd Fall deadline to apply is Friday, November 2nd and there will be two deadlines in Spring '08. For more details, see their website: http://www.teachforamerica.org or contact William at: williamsea@gmail.com.
Dr. Vince Schielack---
> Dr. Schielack talked to education majors after the meeting adjourned. If you need your teaching field plan signed or have other education-related questions, you can e-mail Dr. Schielack at: vinces@math.tamu.edu
The meeting adjourned at 8:15pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Hoffman