Graduate Programs:Preparing Students for the Future or for the Past?

摘要

What do graduate programs look like in the mathematical sciences? Typically students take courses to prepare for qualifying exams, followed by courses to prepare for research. These activities lead to a thesis. Seminars and colloquium speakers are focused on research topics. Students are supported as research assistants or teaching assistants. The latter position might come with training for teaching. This structure points to one goal:Creating researchers and creating publishable mathematics.