MathSciNet Reviews Course

Tom Alberts

About MathSciNet

MathSciNet is the American Mathematical Society’s fully searchable online database of published mathematical sciences literature. It indexes articles published in hundreds of mathematical journals going back almost a century, and is an excellent source for literature reviews. See the MathSciNet information page for more details.

MathSciNet Reviews

In addition to bibliographic data, the AMS strives to include a short summary review of each paper in its database. Typically no more than a few paragraphs long, these reviews complement the paper’s abstract as an explanation of the main results and how the paper fits into existing literature. While the database is maintained by AMS staff the reviews are written by volunteers, typically postdocs or professors. More explanation can be found at the MathSciNet Guide for Reviewers.

Purpose of this Course

Writing MR Reviews brings several benefits to participants. The purpose of this course is to give PhD students experience with writing paper reviews in a standardized format, and to become familiar with a body of recent literature. It also has substantial benefit for the wider mathematical community, and you can get research credits for it.

For Students

Benefits

  • Become familiar with a recent body of literature in your field of study
  • Learn how to write short paper reviews, which is useful for both writing grant applications and writing referee reports
  • Have your name listed in the MathSciNet database as a reviewer, which you can link to from your CV or webpage
  • Earn university research credits for participating in this activity
  • Earn AMS points that can be used towards purchasing books and other publications
  • See this article for a list of further benefits

Expectations

  • Complete 2-3 reviews per semester, which means roughly 6-8 weeks per review
  • Find a faculty supervisor who is willing to review your reviews
  • Meet once or twice per semester with other students to share your reviews

For Faculty

Benefits

  • Your name will be listed in MathSciNet as a co-author of the review
  • Can be used as broader impact and a training activity in grant applications
  • You can participate without AMS sending you other review requests
  • You might learn something about a new field of research

Expectations

  • Read your students reviews promptly and provide suggested improvements
  • Identify MSC subject classification numbers that are relevant for the subject matter
  • Identify three journals in the field that are at an appropriate level for students
  • Possible: Don’t forget to assign your student a grade at the end of the semester

How to Participate

  • Students find a faculty member to be their mentor for this course
  • Student and faculty find MSC subject classification numbers and three journals that they might review for
  • Fill out this Google form to submit the info above to Tom Alberts, who will communicate it to the AMS
  • Students enroll in Math 6970 for thesis research credits, under the direction of the faculty mentor (Unsure if students enroll under each mentor’s section, or under one person such as myself)
Teaching