THE INSTITUTE OF MATHEMATICS
AND ITS APPLICATIONS

COMPETENCES

Competences can be classified under three main headings

1 Mathematical

2 Generic – These will be common with those expected of science and technology professionals in other disciplines

3 Specific – those relevant to particular employment e.g. finance, teaching, and personal aspirations.

Mathematical Competences

A mathematician seeking Chartered Mathematician status will need to demonstrate employment experience requiring the application of mathematical skills gained during a degree course.  For some this will involve advancing mathematics through fundamental research but for most this involvement will be in applying mathematical skills to the development and provision of products, processes and services.

Most mathematical employment will be based on the application of a subset of knowledge gained in a degree course.  This knowledge may require enhancement and an understanding of its applications in the employer’s areas of business.  Effective use of mathematics may require an understanding and some training in these business areas.

All mathematicians will apply their skills of problem analysis, definition and solution.

Generic Competences

All chartered members are expected to acquire and demonstrate by applying a combination of their knowledge, training, and experience the following competences:

1. Deal with complex issues, both systematically and creatively, make sound judgments, and communicate conclusions clearly to specialists and non specialists.
2. Use theoretical and practical methods in the analysis and solution of problems.
3. Communicate effectively through verbal and written forms including letters, proposals, presentations, and reports.
4. Plan and organise projects effectively and be aware of project management methodology.
5. Work effectively in a team, including the ability to provide leadership as appropriate. Have an appreciation of personnel selection and recruitment methodology and staff assessment and appraisal procedures.
6. Use influencing and negotiating skills in relations with colleagues, the providers of funds, suppliers, regulators, and clients or customers.
7. Develop reliable estimating skills and apply sound cost and time management skills. Have an appropriate level of understanding of financial, management, and cost accounting, financial planning and budgetary control.
8. Have an appropriate level of understanding of contract and other legal procedures including intellectual property rights.
9. Develop and extend general and specific IT skills and an appreciation of methods of access to information.   
10. Demonstrate an understanding and commitment to Health and Safety and where appropriate environmental issues and legislation.
11. Be aware of equal opportunities and employment legislation and the policies and procedures adopted by their employers.
12. Comply with IMA Code of Conduct and always behave with integrity and in an ethical manner.

13. Demonstrate a commitment to Continuing Professional Development. 

Specific Competences

Mathematicians work in a wide range of different employment areas in commerce, industry, the public sector, and education. All mathematicians will require knowledge of the organisation, objectives, mission statement of their employers and an understanding of the employer’s areas of business, and for commercial organisations their clients, suppliers and competitors. Depending on the nature of employment mathematicians will require additional mathematical knowledge, a greater level of attainment in some generic competences, and competences specific to the employment. A full statement of specific competences in all areas of employment is not feasible but illustrative examples are provided below.

Some employment will require additional formal qualifications, for instance

·              Accountancy and actuaries
·              Teachers in schools and further education
·              Banking and insurance.

These qualifications are based on training, education, and work based experience leading to formal examinations. 

Other employment that requires the gaining of additional competences include:

·              Patent, information, and publishing work – enhanced knowledge of intellectual property rights.
·              Financial quantitative analysis – enhanced knowledge of financial mathematics and the pricing of derivatives.
·              Aerospace – understanding of relevant knowledge of physics and engineering aspects of work.