REU Site: Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Industrial Mathematics and Statistics

该奖项支持REU网站“伍斯特理工学院工业数学和统计学本科生的研究经验”。每年将有12名学生参加为期9周的暑期REU项目。该计划通过向参与者介绍数学家和统计学家在学术环境之外使用数学的方式，为参与者提供独特的数学科学教育体验。学生以小组形式完成两到三个具有工业和数学意义的研究问题；这些问题直接由工业界提供，与该计划有关的公司直接感兴趣。学生与公司代表协调，确定问题并制定解决方案。他们与教师顾问密切合作，以保持对项目核心数学和统计学的明确关注。这个暑期研究项目涉及传统本科项目所没有面临的挑战，并让参与者参与到对具有强大数学背景的学生开放的许多职业可能性中。这个以行业为重点的REU项目的参与者首先与教师顾问和公司联络人协商，制定项目目标声明。整个夏季，学生们在进行实际研究的同时，向主办机构的学术观众和赞助公司的企业观众展示他们的进展。在课程的最后一周，学生在两种情况下都要进行口头陈述，并提交最终的书面报告。专业发展活动提出数学的职业选择在学术界和工业界补充研究计划。选拔过程侧重于具有强大学术背景的学生，但在本国机构进行数学研究的机会有限。选择过程中的一个重点是追求与行业启发研究问题性质一致的一系列研究方向的开放性。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This award supports the REU site "Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Industrial Mathematics and Statistics at Worcester Polytechnic Institute." Twelve students per year will participate in a 9 week summer REU program. The program provides participants with a distinctive educational experience in the mathematical sciences by introducing them to the ways in which mathematicians and statisticians use mathematics outside of the academic environment. Students work in teams on two to three research problems of industrial and mathematical significance; these problems are provided directly from industry and are of immediate interest to the companies affiliated with the program. Students coordinate with company representatives to define the problem and to develop solutions. They work closely with faculty advisors to maintain a clear focus on the mathematics and statistics at the core of the project. This summer research program involves challenges not faced in traditional undergraduate programs and engages participants with some of the many career possibilities open to students with a strong mathematical background.Participants in this industry-focused REU program begin by developing a project goals statement, in consultation with a faculty advisor and a company liaison. Over the course of the summer, students conduct the actual research while presenting their progress to both an academic audience at the host institution and a corporate audience at the sponsoring company. During the final week of the program, students give an oral presentation in both settings and submit a final written report. Professional development activities presenting mathematical career options in academia and industry complement the research program. The selection process focuses on students with a strong academic background but with limited opportunities for research in mathematics at their home institutions. One emphasis in the selection process is an openness to pursue a range of research directions consistent with the nature of an industry-inspired research problem.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.