This is a practice-oriented program that prepares students for successful careers in industry. The graduates are expected to be generalized problem-solvers, capable of moving from task to task within an organization.
In industry, mathematicians need not only the standard mathematical and statistical modeling and computational tools, but also knowledge within other areas of science or engineering. This program aims at developing the analytical, modeling and computational skills needed by mathematicians who work in industrial environments. It also provides the breadth required by industrial multidisciplinary team environments through courses in science or engineering.
The connection between academic training and industrial experience is provided by an industrial professional master’s project or internship that involves the solution of a concrete, real-world problem originating in industry. The department, through the industrial connections of the faculty affiliated with the Center for Industrial Mathematics and Statistics, may help students identify and select suitable industrial internships. Graduates of the program are expected to start or advance their professional careers in industry.
Degree Requirements
The master’s program in Industrial Mathematics requires a minimum of 30 credit-hours of coursework. Students must complete four foundational courses, which include MA 500*, MA 510, and two other courses from either MA 502, MA 508, MA 530, and/or MA 540.
(*) Students who have taken a rigorous real analysis course (at the level of WPI’s undergraduate MA 3831/ MA 3832 sequence or above) should substitute this course by a more advanced analysis or measure theory course such as MA 503, MA 505 or MA 528.
Students must also develop a 12-credit-hour module composed of 6 credits of coursework in Mathematical Sciences and 6 credits of coursework from a graduate program outside of Mathematical Sciences.
Up to six credits of upper-level (i.e., 4000-level) undergraduate courses in mathematics or another department may be taken for graduate credit, subject to the approval of the program coordinator.
In addition, students are required to complete a 3-credit- hour elective from the Mathematical Sciences Department and a 3-credit-hour master’s project or internship on a problem originating from industry. Candidates are required to successfully complete the Professional Master’s Seminars MA 562A and MA 562B. The Plan of Study and the project or internship topic require prior approval by the departmental program coordinator.