Senior Seminar
Spring 2024
- Important Course Documents
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Class Materials
- Career Research
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Finding Mentors and Connecting with Alumni
Alumni Fire is a tool for U of R and is a great resource for finding alumni who have said that they would love to mentor students.
You can also use the Alimni search tool on LinkedIn. You will need to create an account and connect with other people from Redlands. You are welcome to connect with me or with Lauren Wooster or Kelly Dries in the Career Office.
*** One note: If you reach out to 10 alumni, don't be surprised if you only hear back from 2-3 people. Keep reaching out until you find the person who you click with.
Here are some networking tools about how to build a professional network
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Using Latex
Overleaf - Website
Overleaf - is an online program that allows you to write LaTeX code and see the resulting document. This program also allows you to share your work with your peers or advisor.
Sign up for an account and start writing LaTeX today!
Example LaTeX Document
Example LaTeX Beamer Presentation
Example LaTeX Resume
- Help with Independent Research
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DAY 1 - Click Here
Wednesday January 10th
Welcome to Senoior Seminar - We will discuss how we can make this course meaningful to each of you.
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DAY 2
Wednesday January 17th
Talk about Career Path and Research Ideas.
What are some brainstorming ideas for final products?
TO DO: Read chapter 1 of Mathematics for Human Flourishing.
Write a reflection after reading: Write a one page reflection on your reading. What helps you flourish mathematically? What virtues have you acquired as a result of doing mathematics? What was most interesting or surprising to you? What did you learn? This should be typed and submitted as a .pdf.
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DAY 3
Monday January 22nd
Introduction to LaTeX - Resume Reboot
Research career paths, career documents and research topics.
TO DO:
Bring to next class - outline of your career research - be prepared to speak casually about what you found. What types of career materials are important? (resume, linked in?)
Read chapter 2 of Mathematics for Human Flourishing.
Write a reflection after reading: Write a one page reflection on your reading. What does "mathematical affection" look like for you? Think of a time when you were captivated by exploring something (e.g., a location, an idea, a game). What analogies can you draw between doing math and doing this exploration. This must be written in Overleaf/Latex. Submit both a pdf and a link to Overleaf that I can edit. (Due 1/29)
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DAY 4
Wednesday January 24th
Career research discussion
Introduction to Beamer - Professional Presentations
What makes a good presentation: In general? For a math audience?
TO DO:
Due next time:
Reflection on Chapter 2.
Rought draft of your Resume.
A short 2-3 page example of a Beamer Presentation.
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DAY 5
Monday January 29th
Research Kick Off!
Strategies for finding good research materials.
Finding a problem that is not too hard or too easy.
Making yourself a schedule/outline.
Library Research Guide
TO DO:
Due next time:
Prepare your "elevator talk". This should be a five minute presentation to the class focusing on a general audience with no slides. That is, think of giving this talk to someone you might in an elevator.
You may choose from the following prompts for your presentation.
1. Why did you chose to major in mathematics? What excites you about mathematics? How does it help prepare you for your future? Include a specific example of a mathematical topic that you found exciting and think about how you could explain it to someone who does not have a background in mathematics. You may also want to discuss specific moments or people that were significant to your choice of major.
2. What career are you interested in and why did you chose it? Why is this career a good fit for you? What skills and assets do your bring to this profession? How have you/are you preparing for success in this field? How does this career use mathematics? Include a specific example of a mathematical topic that is relevant to this career and think about how you could explain it to someone who does not have a background in mathematics. You may also want to discuss specific moments or people that were significant to your choice of career.
3. Many of you identified strongly with the stories in chapter 1 from Mathematics for Human Flourishing about people's negative response when you tell them you are majoring in mathematics. Prepare a response for the next time this happens. Explain to them why mathematics is exciting and interesting to you. Discuss why mathematics is relevant and valuable for everyone. Include a specific example of a mathematical topic (maybe one that they might not think of as mathematics) that could help them see mathematics in a more positive light and think about how you could explain it to someone who does not have a background in mathematics.
Read chapter 3 of Mathematics for Human Flourishing and write a paragraph reflecting on what you thought was interesting from that chapter. (Due 2/5)
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DAY 6
Wednesday January 31st
Elevator Talks
TO DO:
Due next time:
Pick one biography from any of the following sources:
Math is for All!
Testimonios: Stories of Latinx and Hispanic Mathematicians.
Stories from Mathematically Gifted and Black.
Write a reflection about your experience reading the biography. This should include a short introduction to the mathematician, a discussion of the ways hearing their story impacted you, and a discussion of the what you might take forward from their story into your career/future. This can be handed in with your reflection on Chapter 3 (Due 2/5)
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DAYs 7-10 - Math topic research time!
Monday February 5th
Start your research! For the next two weeks you have time to work on your math research question. By Monday February 19th you should have already found all of your sources, worked through understanding them, and be well on the way to working out the mathematics for your Technical Talk. The draft of your annotated bibliography is due 2/19.We will discuss Chapters 2 and 3 of the book.
Assigned Today:
Read and Reflect on Chapter 4 of the book.
- - -What have you done this week to "play" with your research topic. What have you been reading? What new sources have you gathered? What specific topics have you started working through? What are some of the technical components of your topic that you are working through in preparation for the technical talk? Etc.
My Math Story: Reflect on your math journey and write a mini bibliography that is your story. This should be 1-2 pages and written in LaTeX. You can approach this however you want, but here are some prompts:
- - - What unique talents do you have from your family or culture do you think improve your ability to do math? Perseverance, understanding, different approaches to problem solving, etc.
- - - Describe a time that you struggled mathematically and how did you persevere? What did you gain from the struggle? How did it change you as a person and mathematician? This could be a specific class that you struggled with or and experience of feeling like you did not belong.
- - - Choose some parts of your math experience that would be particularly important for your future students to hear. Write a story to help motivate, encourage, and inspire them.
Due 2/12Wednesday February 7th
Research Time! Come to class ready to talk about a SPECIFIC idea that you are pursuing for your technical research.
Assigned Today:
What topic are you planning to research independently this semester and why did you choose it. List 3-4 sources for your research topic with at least one scholarly reference (journal article or book, i.e., not a website) for your project. Include an outline of how you are going to prepare for your technical talk.
Due 2/12
Monday February 12th
Research Time!We will discuss Chapters 4 of the book.
Assigned Today:
Read and Reflect on Chapter 5 of the book.
Wednesday February 14th
Research Time!
Draft of your Annotated Bibliography due next class:
Annotated Bibliography - Math focused:
Describe the sources you have identified so far as being useful to your topic. Include at least 4-5 sources, at least two of which must be scholarly sources. For each source include an annotation which identifies the type of source it is, and describe how it is useful to you for your project. If appropriate, include a write up of the mathematical equations and/or theorems that the source provides - these will be something that you can copy and paste for your technical presentation, I suggest doing it in LaTeX.
Due 2/19
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DAY 11
Monday February 19th
Discussion of Chapter 5
What makes a good Technical Talk? Presence, Engagement, Organization, Communicating Content, Slides and Visuals.
What should be in our Rubric.
TO DO:
Due next time:
Read chapter 6 of the book - submit your reflection (due 3-4)
Watch the two talks below. They are each hour long talks. Watch all of them if you can, but at least the specified time segments. Analyze the presentation style and techniques of each. What do you think worked well? What changes or improvements could be made? How does each presenter do in terms of our categories: Presence, Engagement, Organization, Communicating Content, Slides and Visuals? How did they compare? What differences in style did you notice between them?
Ruth Charney: Searching for Hyperbolicity Focus on minutes: 2:15-21 if you don't have time to watch the whole thing
Rochelle Gutiérrez: Rehumanizing Mathematics: A Vision for the Future Focus on minutes: 0-28 if you don't have time to watch the whole thing
1) Write 1-2 paragraphs about your experience of the talks. What went well? What do you wish were changed? We will discuss these more in class, so also think about what you want to share with the class. We will refine our original brainstorming about what makes a good technical talk.
2) Create 2-3 practice slides for your research project using Beamer/Overleaf. We will show your slides in class and we can discuss the content and give each other feedback. Please submit both a pdf and a link to Overleaf.
3) Think about what should be in our presentation Rubric.
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DAY 12
Wednesday February 21
Show and give feedback on the Technical Slides
Reconsider - what makes a great Technical Talk
Confirm our final Rubric
Technical Talk Rubric
Technical Talk Rubric Chart.
Decide on a presentation order for the Technical Talks
TO DO:
Due next time:
Prepare your "Technical Talk" about some exciting mathematical detail about your research topic. This should be a 10-15 minute talk, with slides, aimed for senior mathematics majors (i.e., the audience is your fellow students in this class). Pick a single topic that you can really focus on explaining thoroughly and clearly to the class. These will we recorded so that you can see your presentation and give yourself some feedback. You will each also fill out a rubric and feedback for your peers. Make sure to practice over break!
Spring Break - Feb 26 - Mar 4. -
DAY 13 - Technical Talks
Monday March 4th
We are going to skip book discussion until after the Technical Talks
I will bring HDMI and Apple Lightning Adapters to class so you can show your presentation from your Laptop if you want>br> You will also have access to the classroom computer if you want to download your slides.
I will try to bring a presentation clicker so you can switch slides remotely
Natalie Luna
Katharina Napoletano
Maryjane Guadalajara
Christopher Gonzalez
Lorena Bustillos
TO DO:
We will pause our official reading of the text until after the Technical Talks - but please keep reading at your own pace.
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DAY 14 - Technical Talks
Wednesday March 6th
Malachi Cassel
Owen Schmitz
Alma Callejas
Alexis Martinez
Zoe Charum
TO DO:
Due next time:
1) Submit the slides for your talk; submitting both a pdf and an overleaf link.
2) Review the feedback you received from your peers
3) Write a paragraph reflecting on your technical talk. What went well? What would you like to work on for your next talk?
4) Come to class with a idea for your cool math video - We will plan to watch these in class together on Monday 3/18(?).
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DAY 15 - Last Technical Talks
Monday March 11th
Kelly Johnston
Danica Arredondo
Start brainstorming for 'My Cool Math Video'!
Some guidelines for making instructional videos.
Ideally these are videos we can share with other math majors - Due Wed 3/20
TO DO:
Read chapter 7 of the book - submit your reflection (due 3-18) - we will discuss Chapters 5-7 next Monday (review your reflections)
Reflect on your technical Presentation (due 3-18):
- What do you think went really well and/or what are you most proud of?
- What would you have done differently and/or how will you change your future talks?
- Looking at the rubric, comment on how you think you did in each category.
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DAY 16
Wednesday March 13th
Share some tools for making a math video.
How to advertise your talk/event/product/etc.
Writing an Abstract (MAA guidelines for Abstracts) and create a catchy Title.
Example Talk Titles and Abstracts - some good some bad!
Creating a flyer for your event.
TO DO:
Work on your cool math video
Start thinking about your General Audience Talk
Start thinking about your final product.
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DAY 17
Monday March 18th
Technical Talk Slides and Reflections Due
What makes a good general audience talk?
Rubric for general audience talk?
TO DO:
Work on your math video! Next time we will show them in class!
Before next class - Submit your video and catchy description (advertisement)
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DAY 18
Wednesday March 20th
Watch Cool Math Videos - if some are posted.
TO DO:
Write your abstract and poster for your General Audience Talk
Prepare your General Audience Talk
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DAY 19 - Watch Cool Math Videos
Monday March 25th
Watch Videos - give feedback
Rubric for general audience talk?
TO DO:
Due Next Class: Abstract and poster for your General Audience Talk
Prepare your General Audience Talk - see schedule for next three days.
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DAY 20 - General Audience Talk
Wednesday March 27th
General Audience Talks:
Natalie Luna
Alexis Martinez
Katharina Napoletano
TO DO:
Reflect on your General Audience Talk or Prepare your General Audience Talk
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DAY 21 - General Audience Talk
Monday April 1st - Presented on Teams
General Audience Talks:
Danica Arredondo
Alma Callejas
Maryjane Guadalajara
TO DO:
Reflect on your General Audience Talk or Prepare your General Audience Talk
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DAY 22 - Out Sick
Wednesday April 3rd
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DAY 23
Monday April 8th
General Audience Talks:
Lorena Bustillos
Zoe Charum
Christopher Gonzalez
TO DO:
Reflect on your General Audience Talk
- DAY 24
Wednesday April 10th
General Audience Talks:
Kelly Johnston
Owen Schmidt
Malachi Cassel
TO DO:
Reflect on your General Audience Talk
- DAY 25-26 - Final Product Presentation/Exhibitions - Make sure your FINAL VIDEO is submitted
We will send out the final videos to all faculty on Monday 4/15
April 15th - In Class Celebration Day
Malachai Cassel
Kelly Johnston
Owen Schmidt
My cool math video.
April 17th - Meet up to talk about final portfolios.
Your final portfolio is due on April 19th at 11:59pm. These should all be submitted in Latex/Overleaf, preferably as one file with four sections. It should include:
-- A final version of your annotated bibliography. (in Latex/Overleaf). This should be revised from your original annotated bibliography to include all sources you used for your project and how you used them. (It may or may not include the sources in your original annotated bibliography depending on whether or not they were useful to you.) You should use proper referencing techniques.
-- A self-assessment of your research work in this class. Reflect on the project you completed and how it was reflected in your technical and general audience talks. What were your biggest moments of mathematical growth. (in Latex/Overleaf).
-- A reflection on your experience in this course. (in Latex/Overleaf). What was helpful to you about this course? How did it help you reflect and consolidate your experiences as a math major? How did it help you think about communicating mathematics? What helped you improve and strengthen your communication skills? What aspects do you think will help you transition to your future professional life? Do you have any suggestions for ways to improve the course?
-- A reflection on your overall experience as a mathematics major at the University of Redlands. (in Latex/Overleaf) What did you really enjoy about your mathematics major? What did you struggle with? What could be improved? What do think was most helpful to your future professional life? What suggestions do you have for strengthening an inclusive and supportive culture?
"ER MER GERD! WER SENIORS!!!"
Image thanks to: weruletheinternet.com
- DAY 24
General Topics:
Daily Content: