USC Campus-Tommy TrojanUSC Campus-Tommy Trojan

Ideas to improve the PhD Ideas to improve the PhD program at USCprogram at USC

Professor Francis Bonahon-USC Math Dept. Chair.

Asher Shamam-Applied Math Student in the PhD program at USC

Ideas for ImprovementsIdeas for Improvements

Holistic Mentoring PhD with minors

First Key Idea:First Key Idea:Holistic Individual MentoringHolistic Individual Mentoring

The Mentoring TripletInformal monthly meetingExperimenting with different teaching

formatsInvolve the alumni network

The Mentoring TripletThe Mentoring Triplet

Main mechanism: connect each entering graduate student with one faculty member and one advanced graduate student

Regular or need-based meetings bring the triplet together

Occasionally attend each other’s classes as a role model and for feedback?

Some benefits of the TripletSome benefits of the Triplet

Entering student has a family - Feels in place

The triplet meetings will serve to keep student on track

Student can approach his mentors as issues/problems arise. The faculty member can serve as an advocate

Informal Monthly MeetingsInformal Monthly MeetingsInformal meeting will bring all the triplets

together, in addition to any other interested graduate students

Discussion can be teaching, research, upcoming exams, and other issues of interest

Can be used as part of the activities of the CID

New Teaching FormatNew Teaching Format

Lecture and Discussion section combinedProfessor lectures on a bite of material and

gives the students a problem to work onTA’s assist by roving around and helpingTA’s take over the lecture for 10-15 minute

changing roles with Professor

New Teaching format-BenefitsNew Teaching format-Benefits

More active role for undergraduates in the class

Graduate student and professor can observe each other’s teaching - constant feedback

Graduate student and professor can exchange roles, resulting in a better hands-on experience for the student

Creating a better Alumni Creating a better Alumni NetworkNetwork

Efforts underway to create a viable Alumni network of former graduates.

Directory that categorizes the areas where the alumni have been successfully integrated

Involving Alumni in the graduate seminars and talks would strengthen the mentoring network-serve as an inspiration

Graduate students can spear-head the initiative

Mentoring till when?Mentoring till when?

This holistic mentoring will continue until the student passes the screening exams, a thesis committee is formed, and the graduate student has roots firmly planted in the department

Some concernsSome concerns

Triplet consists of three different personalities-not possible to predict success of the dynamics in general

Time is the most scarce resource-students are busy advancing through program, and the faculty member is busy with his/her responsibilities

Second key Idea:Second key Idea:The PhD+The PhD+

The PhD+: a PhD with a minorTwo possibilities:PhD with a full fledged Master degree in

another discipline (hard route)PhD with the restructured Master’s degree

in math with specialty (easier)

PhD with a Master degree in PhD with a Master degree in another disciplineanother discipline

Possible fields: Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Biology, Electrical Engineering

In the past, students have done this on their own

Negotiations under way with the other departments to try to make it easier

Restructuring MastersRestructuring Masters

Main Theme is mathematical interconnections and a broad exposure to various disciplines and techniques

Consolidation of the current program is the way to go

PhD with MS in mathematics PhD with MS in mathematics with specializationwith specialization

Replace four of the current six Master’s programs with a single degree called MS in Mathematics with specialization

Requires a certain number of classes outside of Math Department

Possible specializations: Applied Math, Core Math, Stats, Coding Theory, Math Biology, Math Econ/Finance, Computer Science, Engineering, and more.

Some benefits of the PhD+ Some benefits of the PhD+ A larger intellectual breadth for the PhD

programRestructured Masters would improve

Doctoral education- more interdisciplinary PhD+ holder is more employableExistence of these programs makes

Mathematics more attractive to prospective PhD students

ConclusionsConclusions

Momentum for these Ideas is largeTechnical difficulties with the Masters

restructuring are being tackled New teaching format seems to be a success

Thank You all !