Publication Title

Bulletin of mathematical biology

Document Type

Article

Department or Program

Mathematics

Publication Date

5-12-2020

Abstract

Mathematical biology education provides key foundational underpinnings for the scholarly work of mathematical biology. Professional societies support such education efforts via funding, public speaking opportunities, Web presence, publishing, workshops, prizes, opportunities to discuss curriculum design, and support of mentorship and other means of sustained communication among communities of scholars. Such programs have been critical to the broad expansion of the range and visibility of research and educational activities in mathematical biology. We review these efforts, past and present, across multiple societies-the Society for Mathematical Biology (SMB), the Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research (BEER), the Mathematical Association of America (MAA), and the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM). We then proceed to suggest ways that professional societies can serve as advocates and community builders for mathematical biologists at all levels, noting that education continues throughout a career and also emphasizing the value of educating new generations of students. Our suggestions include collecting and disseminating data related to biomath education; developing and maintaining mentoring systems and research communities; and providing incentives and visibility for educational efforts within mathematical biology.

PubMed ID

32399614

Copyright Note

This is the author's version of the work. This publication appears in Bates College's institutional repository by permission of the copyright owner for personal use, not for redistribution.

Required Publisher's Statement

This is a pre-print of an article published in Bulletin of Mathematical Biology. The final authenticated version is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11538-020-00728-9

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