CMath Competence Framework

Applicants will need to demonstrate they have gained the required level in the competences for CMath.

Competences can be classified under three main headings:

Mathematical – these will highlight the application of your mathematical skills and expertise within your professional experience.
Generic – these will be common with those expected of science and technology professionals in other disciplines.
Specific – those relevant to particular employment e.g. finance, teaching, and personal aspirations.

Levels

Appreciation - appreciate its importance
Knowledge - have a basic knowledge/ability
Experience - have supervised experience
Practitioner - have competence

Guidance on what is expected for each competence is provided below. When completing an application, an applicant should ensure that:

they use specific examples within their experiences to demonstrate how they have gained the required competence skill and level.
the examples include details of the applicant’s specific involvement and role within the experience. An applicant may also wish to outline the training and knowledge gained within this experience.
the examples are, normally, from current experience (i.e. gained in the last three years), although relevant experience from further back in their career maybe used.
if particular examples are used more than once, it is clear on how and why it applies to each particular competence.
responses for the Mathematical and Sector Specific competences are between 200-300 words per competence and between 100-300 words per competence for Generic competences.

Mathematical Competences

M1 General skills learned in degree Demonstrate the application of mathematical skills gained during a degree course. 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. To Practitioner level (4).

M2 Skills specific to employment Demonstrate an understanding of the applications of mathematics in your employer’s area of business. 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. To Experience level (3).

M3 Practical problem solving (creative ideas) Demonstrate your skills of problem definition, analysis and solution. Use theoretical and practical methods in the analysis and solution of problems. To Practitioner level (4).

Generic Competences

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

G1 Oral communication (technical) Demonstrate sound judgements over complex issues, and communicate conclusions clearly to specialists and non-specialists orally and through presentations. Put yourself in their position as non-specialists and provide explanations in language they can understand. To Practitioner level (4).

G2 Written communication and report writing Communicate effectively in writing through letters, reports and proposals. To Practitioner level (4).

G3 Project planning and management Use project management methodology to plan and organise projects effectively. Ideally, this should Include quality control and time management. Develop the necessary skills to manage projects to meet agreed standards, objectives and targets. To Knowledge level (2).

G4 Team working Work effectively in a team. Demonstrate constructive working relationships with colleagues and others. To Experience level (3).

G5 Team leadership Work effectively in a team, including the ability to provide leadership as appropriate. To Knowledge level (2).

G6 Staff appraisal Have an appreciation of personnel/ staff assessment and appraisal procedures. To Knowledge level (2).

G7 Negotiating with 'customers' or regulators Demonstrate constructive working relationships with others affected by your work (e.g. fund holders, suppliers, regulators, clients), including your influencing and negotiating skills. To Knowledge level (2).

G8 Handling budgets and estimating Demonstrate reliable estimating skills, including budgets and programmes. To Knowledge level (2).

G9 Contractual obligations Including intellectual property rights. To Experience level (3).

G10 Information management and IT skills Using your knowledge of information management, develop and extend your general and specific IT skills. To Practitioner level (4).

G11 Health & safety requirements/risk management Using your knowledge of current health & safety legislation, demonstrate a commitment to health, safety and risk management in the workplace. To Knowledge level (2).

G12 Ethics (e.g. IMA Code of Conduct) Comply with the IMA Code of Conduct and behave with integrity and in an ethical manner. To Practitioner level (4).

G13 Continuing Professional Development Demonstrate a commitment to Continuing Professional Development. To Practitioner level (4).

Sector Specific Competences

The following outlines typical expectations of professional standing for applicants for Chartered Mathematician. Applicants should complete the appropriate section for their employment.

Higher Education – Research Fellows

It will be assumed that all research fellows have obtained a PhD or equivalent. Research fellows may participate in some lecturing or other teaching activities.

R1 Publishing papers in academic journals Conduct research on your own initiative and in collaboration with others. To Practitioner level (4).

R2 Presenting at conferences and symposia Conduct research on your own initiative and in collaboration with others. To Experience level (4).

Higher Education – Lecturers

L1 Presentation and tutorial skills Carry out lecturing and tutorial activities. To Practitioner level (4).

L2 Course Development Contribution to the development of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. To Experience level (3).

L3 Academic research Conduct research and research activities similar to those carried out by research fellows. To Experience level (3).

L4 Academic administration Contribute to admissions, examinations and other departmental activities. To Experience level (3).

L5 Inter-disciplinary working & communication Work with colleagues in other disciplines. To Experience level (3).

L6 Demonstrate an empathy with students To Practitioner level (4).

Schools and FE Teaching and Lecturing

Hold a post of special responsibility for mathematics and/or teaching to post-GCSE standard.

S1 Presentation and tutorial skills. Teach classes. To Practitioner level (4).

S2 Curriculum development Contribute to curriculum development. To Experience level (3).

S3 Develop extra-curricular maths activities Contribute to extra-curricular mathematical activities. To Experience level (3).

S4 Apply the national curriculum Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of national curriculum issues and other government initiatives. To Experience level (3).

S5 Relate effectively with students Demonstrate an empathy with students and young people. To Practitioner level (4).

S6 Advise students on career opportunities Demonstrate an awareness of opportunities for mathematics students in higher education and employment. To Knowledge level (2).

In Commerce, Engineering, Finance, Science and Technology

B1 Professional mathematical standing Hold a position of professional standing within your organisation. To Practitioner level (4).

B2 Business/commercial awareness/innovation Demonstrate the implementation of a project related to your employment involving the application of mathematics. Demonstrate relevant commercial, communication and management expertise. To Practitioner level (4).