Hours per Week as Math Ph.D. Student

[ded8381]

Hi, I asked a question about a week ago -- and didn't receive a response, so I'm trying a perhaps easier question. :)

About hour many hours per week should one expect to spend earning a Ph.D. in Mathematics?

Thanks,

David

 

[lisab]

Hi, I asked a question about a week ago -- and didn't receive a response, so I'm trying a perhaps easier question. :)

About hour many hours per week should one expect to spend earning a Ph.D. in Mathematics?

Thanks,

David

All of them.

But seriously, it's a full-time+ job.

 

[deluks917]

I don't know how accurate this is but a friend got an Math (applied but I think its all one program) PHD at NYU and he said he studied at least 60 hours every week the first two years.

 

[MathematicalPhysicist]

Don't forget you have to grade exercises or give recitations, if you want to earn some money.

Add this to the studying load.

 

[proof]

no more than 40

 

[ded8381]

Thanks -- I'm figuring I have about 56 hours a week -- if I spend 16 hours for my TA duties, that leaves about 40 for classes and studying. I'm really just trying to count the cost before I jump in because I have wife and kids. Some weeks will probably require more; but that's made up in the fact that I'll have between terms and summers with much less to do.

David

 

[nicksauce]

Doing an astro PhD right now, and most profs I talk to say between 60-70 hours of research per week is ideal. I imagine math would be similar.

 

[cristo]

Doing an astro PhD right now, and most profs I talk to say between 60-70 hours of research per week is ideal. I imagine math would be similar.

I know I've said this before, but 70 hours research a week is crazy-- that means working for 10 hours a day, 7 days a week. That's like 9am-7pm every day, without having any time for lunch or any kind of break. Like it said: crazy!

Research doesn't have to take up your entire life. If you try and be productive you can easily restrict yourself to working the same hours as a 9-5 job.