Preserving Strength While Meeting Challenges Summary Report of a Workshop on Actions for the Mathematical Sciences (1997) / Chapter Skim
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Pages 51-62
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Mathematical Sciences Departments (available on the World Wide Web at http://www2.nas.edu/bms/215e.htrnI) were sent to each participant as preparatory background for the event.
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A coordinated database of departmental strategies that are submitted in a standard format could be created at a single site on the World Wide Web, and availability of this database made known at national professional society meetings. Having such information posted in a consistent format on the World Wide Web would permit searches, an accumulation of data on mathematical sciences departments for continuing analysis, and a repository for archiving and accessing the experiences of different departments concerning innovation and experimental approaches in research, scholarship, and education.
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Key tasks for mathematical sciences departments are to provide undergraduate-level mathematical sciences courses that give all students an understanding of both the historical and current role of the mathematical sciences in society, that supply the mathematical understanding and skills students need to make informed decisions and to function in modern technological society, and that enhance students' appreciation of mathematics. Mathematical literacy has become increasingly necessary in many areas of society, most especially in industry and business.2 Since the mathematical sciences are broadly used throughout the economy, their importance continues to grow for an ever larger cross section of the population.3 Raising mathematical skills and awareness is a long-term effort to be pursued at all educational levels, including K-12, undergraduate, and graduate.
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One possible time to address this issue might be when a department with a doctoral program undergoes external review. One approach might be offering mathematical sciences degrees other than the PhD, for instance, professionally respected master's degrees that business and industry value.4 Many successful master's degree and internship programs take advantage of aeoaranhicalIv neighboring opportunities and local resources that are particular to an Individual mathematical sciences department.
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· Because the mathematical sciences are more important for society in a wider variety of ways than at any previous time, and because the mathematical sciences profession needs to be continuously strengthened and replenished by drawing well-educated individuals from the widest possible pool of talent, it is essential to ensure that women, underrepresented minorities, 5 and students from educationally deprived backgrounds are encouraged both to study the mathematical sciences at all levels and to become part of the mathematical sciences community.6 Considerable progress has been made in recent years in attracting, retaining, matriculating, and employing a broader cross section of society in the mathematical sciences compared to former years. For example (Fulton, 1996)
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Mathematical sciences professional societies might establish awards and prizes to recognize interdisciplinary achievement by mathematical scientists, and encourage mathematical scientists who participate in outstanding interdisciplinary research to publish articles on their work for the mathematical sciences community. Rethinking Faculty Evaluation A pivotal issue that strongly affects the future of the mathematical sciences community is evaluation of its academic members.
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Many participants felt that mathematical sciences professional societies could help the National Science Foundation and other agencies make the case for the mathematical sciences based on national needs by establishing such a balanced, representative, formal group to liaise with funding agencies, and to routinely supply them with high-quality, thoughtful community input for that demanding and delicate decision making. Strategies for innovative funding might be designed to stimulate and support the mathematical sciences community goals in research (both within the mathematical sciences and in interdisciplinary areas)
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Having members of the publish expository essays, mathematical sciences and history. mathematical sciences community collect, present, and written at appropriate levels, that trace the impact of the vignettes on their role in new developments as well as in In all communication venues, emphasizing aspects of the mathematical experience that involve human interest, utilizing television and videos whenever possible, and providing role models from underrepresented groups.
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Promoting research and discovery in all areas of the mathematical sciences so that the U.S. will continue to maintain preeminence in these powerful, innovative endeavors; Supporting the use of mathematical results and acumen in order to increase the capabilities of the various scientific and engineering disciplines and to help advance science and technology in the United States; and 3.
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It is important for mathematical sciences departments to strengthen their scientific and educational ties with the university community at large. It is also important that the full mathematical sciences community enhance its scientific and educational ties with the general scientific and technological community.
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, 1992, Educating Mathematical Scientists: Doctoral Study and the Postdoctoral Experience in the United States, Board on Mathematical Sciences, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C. (available for browsing on the World Wide Web at http://www.nap.edu/readingroom/ mathematical.html)
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Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) , 1995, SIAM Report on Mathematics in Industry, Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, Philadelphia (available on the World Wide Web at http://www.siam.org/mii/ miihome.htm)
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