The 20th Industrial Mathematical & Statistical Modeling (IMSM) Workshop for graduate students will take place at North Carolina State University July 14–22, 2014.
The IMSM workshop exposes graduate students in mathematics and statistics to real-world problems from industry and government. The corresponding problems are not the kind of academic exercises often considered in classrooms. The issues raised in these problems typically require fresh insight for both formulation and solution. Often, the biggest challenge is figuring out what the real question is. Students learn how to do this and how to get a usable result under a tight deadline.
By providing a unique experience of how mathematics and statistics are applied outside academia, the workshop has helped many students decide on the kind of career they want. In some cases, this help has taken the form of direct hiring by the participating companies. By broadening the horizon beyond what is usually presented in graduate education, the workshop gives students interested in academic careers a new excitement about their field.
Additionally, students gain experience in the team approach to problemsolving. During the workshop, they are divided into six-member teams. Each team is mentored by both the problem presenter and a faculty advisor. The team members work to produce an oral presentation and written report of their results, which can lead to subsequent journal publications. Often, the teams come up with useful solutions to a company’s problem. Moreover, projects presented at the workshop have the ability to result in long-term collaboration between students and faculty and the companies involved. Many companies, large and small, have shown continued interest and enthusiasm about the workshop.
The workshop is sponsored by the Statistical and Applied Mathematical Science Institute (SAMSI), Center for Research in Scientific Computation (CRSC), and North Carolina State University Department of Mathematics.
Local and travel expenses are covered for students at U.S. institutions. The application deadline is April 15, 2014. Information is available at the SAMSI website, and questions can be directed to grad@samsi.info.
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