University of Minnesota
School of Mathematics
School of Mathematics         The diagram illustrates the local accuracy of the tangent line approximation to a smooth curve, or--otherwise stated--the closeness of the differential of a function to the difference of function values due to a small increment of the independent variable.  
    math.umn.edu / finmath / orientation

Orientation for New Financial Mathematics Students

 

August 27 - 30, 2012
(Schedule Under Construction)

All orientation activities are mandatory.


Monday, August 27

8:30 - 9:00 am      Breakfast Reception in Math Lounge, Vincent Hall 120
Rest of Day: Vincent Hall 16
     
9:00 - 9:15 am      Welcome - Laurie Derechin, Professor Rina Ashkenazi, Bonny Fleming, Rachel Luo
     
9:15 - 11:15 am      Completion Plans - Professor Rina Ashkenazi
  • Completion Plan Explanation
  • Students Fill out Completion Plan
     
11:15 am - 12:00 (noon)      Student Photos
     
12:00 (noon) - 1:00 pm      Lunch, Math Lounge, Vincent Hall 120
     
1:00 - 3:30 pm      Team Building Session - This session will allow all incoming students to get to know each other, talk about why they are interested in Financial Mathematics and much more!
     
4:00 - 5:00 pm      The Field of Financial Mathematics - Two instructors/industry practioners from the MFM Program will introduce key trends and relevant topics related to Financial Mathematics which you will cover in more depth during your program. (Chris Bemis, Phil Jones - slides)

Tuesday, August 28 - Day 2: Vincent Hall 16 - Career Development and Advancement Workshop. Bring resume if you have one and a laptop.

Because recruiting for 2012 summer internships begins so early, in September (Career Fairs 9/13 and 9/28), we will spend a full day to help you get ready for those events. By the end of the day, you will be ready for the September career events so you can focus your full attention on your MFM classes.

9:00 - 9:15 am      Introduction to Career Development/Advancement Services on campus - Laurie Derechin

MCFAM Career Development Slides

     
9:15 - 11:15 am      Career Self Assessment - Laurie Derechin
Here you will start learning how to assess your core skills, values and personality and what that tells you about potential career paths for you within Financial Mathematics
  • Presentation - Financial Mathematics Career Path Development Through Self-Assessment
  • Self-Assessment Exercise and Small Group Review
     
11:15 am - 12:30 pm      Lunch Break
     
12:30 - 1:30 pm      How to Develop an Effective Resume/Cover Letter - Laurie Derechin

Resume Development Basics

     
1:30 - 3:30 pm      Resume/Cover Letter Workshop - Small group activity with support from Professor Rina Ashkenazi and Laurie Derechin - Here you will work on crafting or improving your resume based on the presentation you viewed directly before this exercise. Bring your laptop to this session. Our goal is to make sure you have a basic resume created by the time we finish for the day.
     
4:00 - 5:00 pm      Meet Industry Professionals - "A Day in the Life" - You will meet two more of your MFM MFM instructors who are also Industry Practioners, as well as a representative from The World Bank. They will talk about what they do in their jobs, and the key skills and traits required to be successful in that career track, etc. (Jason Vinar, Chris Prouty - slides, Connie Luff)

Wednesday, August 29 - Day 3: Scholastic and Business Integrity - Vincent Hall 16

9:00 - 9:15 am      Introduction - Laurie Derechin and Rina Ashkenazi
The importance of academic and business integrity is critical for you, the University MFM program and the companies you will work for after graduation. The University of Minnesota takes Academic Integrity very seriously - there is zero tolerance for academic dishonesty of any kind. In order to be successful in this program and in your careers you will be learning about the criticality of integrity in United States Academic institutions and all US business settings. There is a whole culture and protocol for how to act with academic and business integrity in the US. You will be learning about this today and throughout the course of your program so you can act with the highest level of integrity and ethics throughout your stay at the University and in your career.
     
9:15 - 11:15 am      Academic Integrity: Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity
  • Video Vignettes
  • University of Minnesota Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity (OSCA), Sharon Dzik
  • Presentation of Mini Case Studies
     
11:15 am - 1:00 pm      Lunch Break
     
1:00 - 4:00 pm      Academic and Business Ethics and Integrity - Invited Speakers and Case Studies
  • Professor & Industry Perspective (John Dodson, Gary Hatfield, & Professor Scot Adams)
  • 8 Mini case studies - students work in break-out groups to resolve case study.
  • 4 of the 8 break-out groups present their analysis and resolution to full group
     
4:00 - 6:00 pm      Break
     
6:10 - 6:30 pm   Bus ride to cruise - Walk from Vincent 120 to meet the bus to go to the cruise. Bus space is limited to 56 people. If you signed up for a bus ride, a picture ID for you and any guest is required to get on the bus. Leave from Vincent 120 at 6:10 pm.
     
6:45 - 10:00 pm      MFM 2011 Boat Cruise on the Mississippi River
  • Leave from Boom Island Park. The cruise is free, but a picture ID for you and any quest is required to get on the cruise.
  • Light appetizers/drinks on the cruise at your own expense, but if you want a full dinner, do that ahead of the cruise.

Thursday, August 30- Day 4: Computer Programming Demo/Introduction - STSS Building Room 114

In this demonstration and introductory session, you will be learning how to use the University's technology and other Information Technology (IT) resources. There will also be a tutorial on Matlab.

9:00 - 9:30 am      Technology Support and Resource - Adam Moshier, Math IT Manager
     
9:30 am - 12:00 (noon)      Matlab and Computer Programming Instruction - Nicholas Kirchner
PDF slides
Archive of previous MFM Orientations:

 

Address: 127 Vincent Hall, 206 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455     Phone: 612-625-2004     Contact the School of Math