The perspectives of scientists and mathematicians on quantitative skills

Authors

  • Leanne Jill Rylands University of Western Sydney
  • Vilma Simbag The University of Queensland
  • Kelly Matthews The University of Queensland
  • Carmel Coady University of Western Sydney
  • Shaun Belward James Cook University
  • Peter Adams The University of Queensland

Abstract

Mathematics is important in science, and becoming increasingly so. Not surprisingly, the scientific community is calling for graduates with higher standards of quantitative skills (QS), that is, the ability to apply mathematical and statistical thinking and reasoning in the context of science. How are academics addressing this QS challenge? Some see this as an interdisciplinary endeavour, with science and mathematics academics working together to develop the QS of students in undergraduate science programs. We present evidence which suggests that scientists and mathematicians have different attitudes to what is happening in universities currently. This work is a part of the ALTC funded QS in Science project in which 48 interviews were conducted with academics in both teaching and leadership roles from 11 universities in Australia and two in the USA.

Author Biographies

  • Leanne Jill Rylands, University of Western Sydney
    Associate Professor, School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics
  • Vilma Simbag, The University of Queensland
    Teaching and Educational Development Institute
  • Kelly Matthews, The University of Queensland
    Teaching and Educational Development Institute
  • Carmel Coady, University of Western Sydney
    School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics
  • Shaun Belward, James Cook University
    School of Engineering and Physical Sciences
  • Peter Adams, The University of Queensland
    Associate Dean (Academic) in the Faculty of Science

Downloads

Published

2012-08-24

Issue

Proceedings of the Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education (2012)

Section

Abstracts