The REU in Industrial Mathematics and Statistics at WPI focuses on mathematics and statistics applied to industrial problems. Teams of 2 - 4 students will work for eight weeks on problems that come from businesses and industries that have collaborated in the past years with the Center for Industrial Mathematics and Statistics (see the Center's web page www.wpt.edu/~cims). The students will work closely with a company representative who will introduce the problem and help guide their work toward a solution that the company can really use. They will also work closely with a faculty advisor to maintain a focus on the mathematical issues at the core of the problem. Organized visits to each of the sponsoring companies will give the students the dimension of the importance of their project by learning more about the range of problems facing the companies. In addition there will be presentations and discussion sessions with mathematicians working in industry. The whole experience is designed to provide the students with a glimpse of the ways that advanced mathematics is used to solve real-world problems. The projects will help develop some of the skills in communication and teamwork that are crucial for success in a nonacademic environment. Each participant will receive a stipend of $ 2400 and university housing. A travel stipend of up to $ 400 will be available as needed.
