What Do Mathematics Professors Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Mathematics Professors teach courses pertaining to mathematical concepts, statistics, and actuarial science and to the application of original and standardized mathematical techniques in solving specific problems and situations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. They also compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.

Other tasks include:

• Evaluate and grade students’ class work, assignments, and papers.
• Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as linear algebra, differential equations, and discrete mathematics.
• Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
• Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
• Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.
• Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.

We asked Mathematics Professors how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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83% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 83% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Mathematics Professors maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students. They evaluate and grade students’ class work, assignments, and papers.

A typical day for a Postsecondary Mathematical Science Teacher will also include:

• Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
• Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as linear algebra, differential equations, and discrete mathematics.
• Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
• Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
• Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in books, professional journals, or electronic media.

We asked some Mathematics Professors a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	32% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	25% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	59% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	30% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	2% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	36% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Mathematics Professors also evaluate and grade students’ class work, assignments, and papers. They may also serve on academic or administrative committees that deal with institutional policies, departmental matters, and academic issues.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Mathematics Professors Participate in campus and community events. They might also Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.

In addition, they Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.

To some Mathematics Professors, it is also their responsibility to Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Postsecondary Mathematical Science Teacher, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others..

They also like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/education-training-and-library/postsecondary-teachers.htm

http://www.cgsnet.org/

https://www.acteonline.org/

http://www.teach.org/