A student in the program will complete a year of core course work in applied mathematics, computational mathematics and statistics. During this time they will become integrated into an existing faculty-industry partner collaboration, and spend the summer between the first and second year working on-site with the industry pa rtner. In the second year the student will continue work on the project, which will become his/her thesis project. The student will be required to write a technical memo and present a technical presentation commensurate with duties of a professional in that industry. Also in the second year, the student will complete the remainder of the course work which will focus on interdisciplinary topics appropriate for completion of the industrial project. A capstone course for the Masters program, entitled ``Projects in Industrial Mathematics," will focus on group solutions to industrial problems. Students in the class will learn about the mechanics of working within interdisciplinary teams and giving technical presentations as well as writing technical reports and solving relatively complicated applied problems. When possible students at the graduate and undergraduate level will be incorporated into existing groups (of faculty, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students and undergraduates) and involved in projects from industrial applications. Current industry contacts include Boeing, Thiokol, and the USDA Forest Service.
This program is designed to provide an exciting environment for research, teaching and learning. We offer weekly meetings for sharing results, the Projects course, and a monthly interdisciplinary lecture series in conjunction with the department of Physics with speakers from industry, other universities and USU departments. (See current events for more information on upcoming lectures and visitors.)
The Industrial Math Masters is an important part of our department's general effort in applied mathematics, comprised of financial math, mathematical biology in the study of ecology and natural resources, and industrial mathematics. The industrial math program offers many benefits to the three groups it seeks to unite: faculty, students and industry partners. The most obvious benefit for students is preparation for today's industrial job market, but also includes the sharpening of communication skills, and experience with working in groups. Faculty members benefit through an increase in the number of talented graduate and undergraduate research students, collaborations with postdocs and industry experts, and the identification of new areas of research. Benefits for industry are access to computing facilities, technical expertise of faculty members, postdocs and students, and identification/training of potential future employees.
