MATH 599
t e a c h i n g   u n i v e r s i t y   m a t h e m a t i c s

MATH 599 is a required course for graduate students who wish to be considered for teaching positions in the Mathematics Department at UBC. Its purpose is twofold: to help students become effective teachers, and to help the Mathematics Department evaluate the suitability of students to teach undergraduate courses in mathematics. It will include readings and seminar discussions on teaching practices; training in lecturing; and the preparation of a Statement of Teaching Philosophy, a requirement for most postdoctoral and tenure-track applications.

MATH 599 is a pass/fail course. Your evaluation will be based on participation, attendance, and successful completion of teaching assignments and writing projects.

schedule and office hours

The schedule will be annouced week-by-week in class. My office hours for this course are by appointment; my contact information is at the top of the main page.

announcements and readings

Your guest lectures will take place in November. Please refer to this Google doc for your assignment, as well as to claim lecture slots. You are responsible for attending the lectures of every other member in your group, as well as for giving feedback, using this form as a guide. Please print out a copy of the guide for each lecture you attend.

The 1993 Ambady, Rosenthal paper discussed in class is available here.

We looked at three examples of lectures: they are available online, here: Gilbert Strang's linear algebra lecture, the TAs Patrick House and Dana Turker's neuroscience lectures, Stephen Stearns' lecture on adaptive evolution, and Ken Robinson's TED talk.

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