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Applied and Industrial Mathematics
With the AIM program, cadets experience practical applications of applied mathematics and computer science, beyond the classroom. For clients, it offers a range of services from systems analysis and mathematical modeling to data analysis, management solutions, or software design.
For five to ten weeks during the summer, cadets are paired with a faculty advisor and local business or government agency. Faculty advisors are heavily involved in the first couple weeks with the cadet team becoming the primary advisors to the clients for the remainder of the project. Groups give weekly progress reports in the form of oral presentations to faculty advisors, in addition to periodic presentations to their respective clients. Each team also provides a final oral presentation and a written report to the client upon completion of the project.
The AIM program is beneficial to all involved. Cadets are exposed to “real world” applications of mathematics and computer science and work with clients in a multi-disciplinary setting. The faculty advisors have the opportunity to mentor a select group of cadets contributing to research in those fields. Finally, clients have the opportunity to tangibly support education for a low cost, obtain solutions to problems, and, potentially, recruit talented employees from VMI’s corps.
Featured Projects
Cadet uses Math to Eradicate City's Energy Hogs
Robert Michie '15 analyzed the City of Lexington’s energy usage over the past six years to help City Manager Jon Ellestad identify buildings that are “energy hogs."
Cadet Takes AIM on Laser Tag
Joe Bobay ’17 spent his summer working with Laser Tag Source of Lynchburg to strategize a West Coast location through the math internship program.
Applied Math Project Takes on Shakespeare
For one summer, Ryan Poffenbarger ’16 was assigned the task of crunching numbers for the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton. Thanks to his research, the organization now has a better grasp on how to market its product.
AIM Hits Its Targets: Math Applied to Real Problems
A group of cadets used their data analysis skills to help local companies such as the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton and VMI Alumni Agencies to meet their marketing and sales goals.