who wants to be a mathematician?

**Chewy0087** · Nov10-09, 08:59 AM

Originally Posted by Bourbaki1123

What is the probability of becoming a professor at some point after your PHD in mathematics? Also, to what extent does area of expertise affect this likelihood?

E.g. Suppose candidate X wrote his thesis on something in Automatic Theorem Proving candidate V wrote Something in Topos Theory, Candidate Y wrote his on something in Algebraic Geometry and candidate Z wrote his in some area of Analysis. Do these specializations affect qualification for an assistant professorship? I ask this because I wonder if being in a less popular area means less funding for research or if being in a more popular area means more competition or (more likely) some combination of both.

I'm talking about overall chances, so don't assume flagship school or state U, include southeastern state college X also.

this is the wrong section, you need to post this in the homework support - maths section, i'd consider a binomial approximated to a normal distribution.

**huenikad** · Nov10-09, 11:40 PM

Hello,

I am a Gr. 12 Canadian student and I am deciding between math or engineering now for university. I was wanting to look into some math work to get a better idea of what I want to do. I've always found math at school to be ridiculously easy and have always enjoyed it but just get bored of the repetitivity. I have done math contests etc. over the years but haven't done too much further research into math yet. Sort of realizing how much I actually enjoy it now.

I am planning on looking at Courant and Robbins "What is mathematics", as well as Principles of Mathematics, by Carl Allendoerfer and Cletus Oakley. I was wondering if I should take a look at a specific calculus book or look for some more linear algebra type of stuff.

Any other books that I should take a look at that may pique the interest of a future mathematician?
Any books focused particularly on proofs would also be helpful.

**Landau** · Nov11-09, 12:45 PM

I think Spivak's Calculus will certainly be of interest to you. It's a pleasure to read, but has also very challenging exercises. Take a look for yourself: click.

Of course, this is a 'serious' mathematics book. If you want to read a book about mathematics (instead of a mathematics book), I think Courant and Robbins may be a good choice.

**Bourbaki1123** · Nov11-09, 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by Chewy0087

this is the wrong section, you need to post this in the homework support - maths section, i'd consider a binomial approximated to a normal distribution.

I guess that's an attempt at humor? Seriously though, if anyone has any actual insight into the process of becoming a professor (in mathematics) and what factors play into it and to what degree, I would appreciate it. I'm aware that it's highly competitive as far as getting a position and I want to know how to raise my chances aside from the obvious: pumping out tons good of research.

**rootofunity** · Nov13-09, 01:28 PM

Hi, I am new here. I have my masters in Math and would like to renew my independent study of physics. The question is where to start. I have an older version of University Physics by Hugh D. Young, Roger A. Freedman, which is undergraduate calc based physics. But since math wise my understanding of math is a bit more advanced should I start at a higher level? And if so where? Sorry for jumping into an ongoing conversation. Still getting the hang of things.