Undergraduate Colloquium Winter 2017
January 12, 2017
No Colloquium
January 19, 2017
No Colloquium
January 26, 2017
Richard Gottesman, UCSC
"Mathematics and Poetry"
Abstract: Sophia Kovalevskaya said that "It is impossible to be a mathematician without being a poet in soul." I will present several poems related to mathematics and mathematicians by Carl Sandburg, JoAnne Growney, Wislawa Szymborska, Rita Dove, and Edna St. Vincent Millay. Poems will touch on non-Euclidean geometry, Emmy Noether, the number Pi, and other topics. Feel free to bring your favorite poems about mathematics to share!
February 2, 2017
Jamison Barsotti
"Intrinsically Knotted Graphs"
In 1983, Conway and Gordon published a landmark paper tying the study of knots and graphs together. In this talk, we will discuss these results as well as some related open questions.
February 9, 2017
February 16, 2017
Ben Fisher and Frank Bäuerle
"The Undergraduate Mathematics Major "
Abstract: At this colloquium you have the opportunity to meet our undergraduate advisor Ben Fisher and undergraduate vice chair Frank Bäuerle. We are available to answer questions about:
- the math major and its three tracks
- the math minor
- CSET waiver for prospective teachers
February 23, 2017
Shay Gilpin
"A Mathematician's Approach to Quantum Mechanics"
Abstract: Quantum mechanics is often considered a subject for physics and chemistry, but in fact quantum mechanics has mathematics at its roots. Important concepts from linear algebra, partial differential equations, and functional analysis serve at the foundations for the study of quantum systems and help us better understand the nature of the electron. For this talk, no physics or chemistry background is needed, only an open mind to see the ways math can be used to tackle physical problems.
March 2, 2017
Sean Gasiorek
"The Mathematics of Doodling"
Abstract: We will explore the mathematics of doodling. Starting with simple shapes, and drawings, we will explore perimeter, area, and tour higher dimensions, advanced topics in mathematics, and famous problems. We will also search for patterns, ways to explain them, and attempt to extend them. Firsthand experience with doodling will be expected, but not required.
- March 9, 2017
- March 16, 2017
- March 23, 2017
