Information for Department Leaders

Below are links to resources for departments, on subjects ranging from research practices in the mathematics profession to news for students.

• AMS Workshop for Chairs and Leaders of Mathematics Departments, at the annual Joint Mathematics Meetings
  Each year the AMS Washington D.C. office organizes and hosts a one-day Workshop for Department Chairs, held in the same location as and just prior to the Joint Mathematics Meetings. Topics include personnel changes, departmental communications, and departmental leadership. For information on forthcoming workshops, email the AMS Washington D.C. office at amsdc@ams.org.


• AMS Departmental and Program Awards
  • Award for an Exemplary Program or Achievement in a Mathematics Department
    Given annually to a department which has distinguished itself by undertaking an unusual or particularly effective program of value to the mathematics community, internally or in relation to the rest of society.
  • Award for Mathematics Programs that Make a Difference
    Awarded annually to two programs that 1. aim to bring more persons from under-represented minority backgrounds into some portion of the pipeline beginning at the undergraduate level and leading to advanced degrees in mathematics and professional success, or retain them once in the pipeline; 2. have achieved documentable success in doing so; and 3. are replicable models.


• Information Statements on the Culture of Research and Scholarship in Mathematics, by the AMS Committee on the Profession.
  A series of information statements relating to the evaluation of mathematicians. The goal of the statements is to highlight the ways in which the traditions in mathematics differ from those in other disciplines, especially other sciences and engineering.


• Towards Excellence: Leading a Mathematics Department in the 21st Century, edited by John H. Ewing
  One chapter of particular interest: How to conduct an External Review (Chapter 20)


• Mathematics: An overview of NSF research
  The National Science Foundation is the leading supporter of fundamental mathematics research in the United States. This visually appealing page has some of the latest developments in mathematics research.


• Data on the mathematical sciences community:
  • Annual Survey of the Mathematical Sciences
  • CBMS, Dept. of Education, and other sources of data
  • Have a special data request? Contact the AMS survey staff


• Excellence in Undergraduate Mathematics: Confronting Diverse Student Interests
  A three-year joint project of the Mathematicians and Education Reform Forum (MER) and AMS, funded by the National Science Foundation, structured around six inter-related national workshops together with ongoing networking among the participating departments. The project aims at helping departments strengthen their undergraduate programs, especially targeting the courses below calculus, upper level undergraduate courses, and courses for preservice K-12 teachers.


• Proceedings of the Conference on Promoting Undergraduate Research in Mathematics, edited by Joseph A. Gallian.
  In 2006, with funding from the National Security Agency (NSA), the AMS organized the conference, "Promoting Undergraduate Research in Mathematics" (PURM). PURM continued the work of the 1999 conference (see below) by bringing together a diverse group of people who are actively involving undergraduates in research programs of all types, in order that they might share their experiences and explore ways of creating more such opportunities, with the goal of bringing the most talented students into research level mathematics.
  • Proceedings of the Conference on Summer Undergraduate Mathematics Research Programs, edited by Joseph A. Gallian.
    A publication resulting from an AMS conference in 1999 of those involved in summer mathematics programs for undergraduates. Conference participants discussed issues of common concern, and gathered information that would be of use to those in the mathematical community interested in establishing summer undergraduate mathematics programs.


• Teaching Tips, by Thomas Garrity and Frank Morgan (Williams College).
  Ideas about teaching, including good preparation, good boardwork, and teaching styles.


• Teaching Mathematics in Colleges and Universities: Case Studies for Today's Classroom, by Solomon Friedberg.
  The Faculty Edition and the Graduate Student Edition include 14 case studies. The Faculty Edition includes a section on developing effective teaching assistants and explanations about the cases. The volumes are published by the AMS in cooperation with the Mathematical Association of America.


• How to Give a Good Colloquium, by John E. McCarthy.
  This article is often cited as the primary guide for mathematics colloquium speakers. More guidelines for successful colloquia are also online.


• Headlines and Deadlines for Students
  A monthly email service and webpage with news for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as upcoming deadlines for programs and grants. Members and non-members alike can sign up for the email service here.


• China Exchange Program: The Ky and Yu-Fen Fan Fund Travel Grant from the AMS
  These grants support travel of mathematical scientists at institutions in the U.S. or Canada on visits to research colleagues in China, as well as travel of (generally, less-senior) mathematical scientists from China to the U.S. or Canada for visits with U.S. or Canadian research colleagues at U.S. or Canadian institutions.


• AMS Epsilon Fund Grants for Young Scholars Programs
  The AMS Epsilon Fund awards grants of up to US$15,000 in support of summer mathematics programs for mathematically talented high school students. Support is offered to existing programs that are most successful in nourishing mathematically talented youth.


• Mathematics Awareness Month
  Each year the Joint Policy Board for Mathematics (made up of the AMS, American Statistical Association, MAA, and SIAM) choose a theme for the month of April. A poster is sent out to departments nationwide and essays on the theme are posted on the website.


• Help with Hiring Faculty
  The AMS Career Services page has information on, and links to, the EIMS Job Listings, Employment Center, Mathjobs, and more.


• Posters
  If you need something to brighten up the halls or departmental lounge, visit this page to find downloadable pdfs of posters (8.5 x 11" and A4-size) promoting awareness of mathematics and of programs and services. Some posters are available upon request in larger size, approximately 18 x 22", compliments of the AMS.

 

Questions about AMS professional services should be directed to emp-info@ams.org.