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Preserving Strength While Meeting Challenges Summary Report of a Workshop on Actions for the Mathematical Sciences (1997) / Chapter Skim
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Appendix B: The "Douglas" Report's Executive Summary
Pages 74-76

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From page 74...
... This inadequate preparation, continuing high attntion, and the declining interest of domestic students, the inadequate interest of women students, and the nearabsent interest of students from underrepresented minorities in doctoral study are problems that transcend the current difficult job market. The charge to the Committee on Doctoral and Postdoctoral Study in the United States was to determine what makes certain programs successful in producing large numbers of domestic PhDs, including women and underrepresented minorities, with sufficient professional experience and versatility to meet the research, teaching, and industrial needs of our technology-based society.
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From page 75...
... for programs, including the standard model, which supports research in a broad range of areas, offers depth in each one, and has as its goal preparation for careers at research universities, and specialized models, such as the subdisciplinary model, the interdisciplinary model, the problem-based model, and the college-teachers model, which were seen to alleviate two large human resource problems, recruitment and placement, and to be conducive to clustering of faculty, postdoctoral associates, and students, a practice that helps create a positive learning environment and promote relevant professional development. · Both standard and specialized programs can be successful.
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From page 76...
... Doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows should learn teaching skills and other communication skills appropriate for their future careers. The number of postdoctoral fellowships in the mathematical sciences should be greatly increased so that such positions can be viewed as the logical next step after completion of the doctorate for the good student, not as a highly competitive prize for a select few.
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Key Terms

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  • skills appropriate
  • relevant professional
  • postdoctoral associates
  • postdoctoral fellows
  • mathematical backgrounds

  • inadequate preparation
  • studying mathematical
  • specialized models
  • difficult job
  • realistic mission

  • goal preparation
  • larger percentages
  • entering american
  • resources success
  • doctoral study

  • sufficient professional
  • women students
  • job market
  • learn teaching
  • standard model


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