Center Information

Education and Research

The Minnesota Center for Industrial Mathematics (MCIM),  established in 1994, is the School of Mathematics’ center for research and education in industrial mathematics. MCIM faculty and students use mathematics to discover solutions to problems in industry and business.

MCIM enriches its students’ educational experiences through industrial partnerships, internships, and advising. In addition to top-tier mathematical education,  practical experience in industry helps students gain important skills, such as communication, teamwork, and presentation.

Students' training is broad and interdisciplinary, and prepares them well for careers in industry, business, and higher education.

Undergraduate students can also be assigned to an industrial collaboration team, in which they will work together with industrial researchers, faculty mentors and graduate students.

The center’s director is Gilad Lerman. Previous directors include Avner Friedman, Fadil Santosa, Fernando Reitich, Maria Carme Calderer, and Daniel Spirn.

Industry and Internship

Student interns work under the guidance of industry mentors at top corporate research facilities. Further on-site industrial collaboration may follow the initial internships. Topics for Ph.D. theses, M.Sc. theses, and REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduate) projects can be suggested during industrial internships or by MCIM industrial visitors.

Students’ collaborative research in industry and business, accomplished through their participation in the internship program, serves two purposes for industry. The Center provides industry with (1) resources, in the form of a graduate student supervised by a faculty researcher, to carry out innovative research, and (2) a talented pool of students with the proper background for possible future recruitment. Go to our Industrial Partners page to learn more about the leading industrial corporations that have partnered with MCIM.