Author Archives: Derek Smith

About Derek Smith

Former weather dude and scientific software developer. In the upcoming 2015-16 year I will complete my PhD at UCSB in nonlinear dispersive equations. I enjoy spending time with my two young daughters and running.

Scientific Publishing Link Roundup

My colleague covered the particular airing of grievances following Timothy Gowers’ blog post in January. As a graduate student still working to finish up course requirements, I think about the publishing process sort of how I think about taxes. I … Continue reading

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Dissonance in the Classroom

I’m currently TA for two sections, one at 12:30 and another at 2:30. The other day, the students had a midterm from 11-12. They didn’t yet have a new homework assigment, so the instructor asked me to answer questions from … Continue reading

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Why Am I?

Covered in chalk after every section? I think this is more of a rhetorical question… but I’d love to read your comments anyway!

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Taking Your Show On The Road

For many readers, enjoying summer and time off involves some amount of travel. If you take a traditional vacation, this post is not for you. However, the longer you stay away from your home routine the more likely it is … Continue reading

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NY Times Education News Devotes Issue to Graduate School

The education section of the NY Times has recently published a special grad school issue. More Americans than ever are going to grad school, thanks to stubbornly high unemployment. And so this issue is devoted to all those acronyms beyond … Continue reading

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