STEMskiller: Skill Set Map for Mentors of Early Career Researchers
RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP: Discipline-specific competencies
Mathematical literacy
Definition:
The US Graduate Records Exam (GRE) in Mathematics is used, in the US context, to determine eligibility for graduate programs. Using GRE preparation materials can provide some mentees with a roadmap for studying areas in which they must improve if they wish to perform at the international level. Concepts covered include: computational calculus, algebra (linear and "abstract"), and basic point-set topology, probability, statistics, geometry, and real/complex analysis.
The US National Academies has also created a useful book outlining key competencies envisioned in Mathematics in 2025, and a link to this resource is provided below.
Useful resources on Mathematical literacy:
Dewitt, J. & Neaton, M. (2018). GRE Preparation, https://math.uchicago.edu/~min/GRE/, and Causerie on the Math GRE. https://math.uchicago.edu/~min/GRE/files/advice.pdf
Describes step-by-step methods for preparing for the GRE Mathematics test., including many openly-accessible problem sets (some with answers).
National Research Council of the National Academies: Committee on the Mathematical Sciences in 2025. (2013). The Mathematical Sciences in 2025. https://www.nap.edu/read/15269/chapter/1
A "forward-looking assessment of the current state of the mathematical sciences and of emerging trends that will affect the discipline and its stakeholders as they look ahead to the quarter-century mark." Describes how mathematics fits in relation to "big problems" (e.g. algorithms and complexity), connections between the mathematical sciences and other fields, important trends, how to address attracting new players to the field (e.g., more women and underrepresented minorities, fostering and improving the pre-university pipelines), and the changing academic context.
Tags: PS IA; IPS QL; IPS PS; IAL IntL; CompQ; CompTS
Peer Review: None
Table of contents:
Author: Stephanie Krueger
Peer Reviewer(s): None
Last Updated: October 27, 2021