March 15, 2013, Jonathan Huntely, title: The geomerty of the Heisenberg group
March 8, 2013, Maria Mercedes Franco, title: tba.
Abstract: What do permutations, snowflakes, M.C. Escher prints, and a kaleidoscope all have in common? They are all related to reflection groups. We'll explore these groups (which you might encounter in abstract algebra) through the lens of combinatorics. That means we'll do some counting and there will be plenty of pretty pictures to see. Once we have discussed some backgrounds, I'll share some of my recent search on the topic. Come join us!
Abstract: Currently in our department, there is a DoE/MSEIP grant supported initiative to improve retention and passing rates for under represented minority students in college algebra and precalculus courses (MA 119 -formerly MA 120- and MA 440). Service-learning (SL) is one of the strategies implemented under this grant. So far, curricular SL has been used in two sections of College Algebra and two sections of Pre-Calculus. In addition, a co-curricular SL experience has been implemented in a new Minority Student Mentoring Program offered to students form these target courses. Attendees will learn about the initiative in general and about the SL pedagogy. In addition, they will learn from colleagues about the challenges and successes of integrating SL into mathematics courses.
Date: 2/9/2012 Time: 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 pm Room: S220
Speaker:
Dr.
Mercedes Franco of QCC
Abstract: In today’s highly technological world and global economy, one goal of education emerges as timeless and well respected: producing adaptable workers with good levels of mathematics fluency. In this context, what should be the goals for mathematics instruction at the community college? What is math fluency and what does it look like in the classroom? Does instruction focused on math fluency mitigate the divide between passing grades and preparedness for future courses and work? In this seminar, Dr. Franco will talk about her on-going pedagogical research on Math Fluency, which includes a semester-long project with her Spring 2011 Differential Equations course.
Date: 2/23/2012 Time: 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 pm Room: S220
Speaker:
Dr. G. Michael Guy of QCC
Abstract: Over the last several years the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science has been experimenting with strategies to improve student success in the developmental sequence. In Fall 2011, the Arithmetic WARM UPS version (5M) of developmental arithmetic was scaled to include the vast majority of students. In this talk, we will give a first look at the outcomes of this scale. We will include a look at how various elements factored into student outcomes including student's placement scores and the lack of apparent achievement gaps. Moreover, we will highlight some of the impacts of the student supports including our Math Learning Center (Directed by Ms. Elizabeth Nercessian) and our Computing Facilities (Directed by Mr. Ed Molina). While discussing this progress, we will highlight challenges that remain a ripe opportunity for improvement as we move to scale success to an entire developmental sequence rather than a single course. This is joint work with Jonathan Cornick, Bob Holt, and Andrew Russell and has been possible thanks to Departmental, College and University funding and support.
Date: 3/7/2012 Time: 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 pm Room: S220
Speaker: Professor Bahman Kalantari, Department of Computer Science and DIMACS, Rutgers University
Abstract: We will survey several novel results on algebraic and geometric properties of complex polynomials and describe variety of iterative algorithms for the computation of zeros and their visualization through polynomiography. Polynomiography is a creative computer vi- sualization that renders spectacular 2D images of a polynomial equation. We will describe applications of polynomiography in math and science, education, art and design and also exhibit sample polynomiographs. In particular, we will describe educational experiences with polynomiography at middle and high schools, and at undergraduate and graduate level courses. In an interdisciplinary course based on polynomiography we connect art, mathematics, and algorithms, while promoting creativity of different kinds. Polynomiog- raphy inspires the discovery of new polynomial properties and novel applications, also giving rise to new and challenging research problems. Among the results to be described are: a geometric modulus principle and its applications in proving the fundamental the- orem of algebra, the maximum modulus principle, the Gauss-Lucas theorem, a Newton- Ellipsoid method for root-finding, Voronoi diagram properties of the roots of a complex polynomial in the context of root-finding, their connections to computational geometry, and their polynomiography.
Date: 3/29/2012 Time: 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 pm Room: S220
Speaker:
Dr. Daniel Garbin of QCC
Abstract: We consider families of hyperbolic Riemann surfaces having conical ends. Degeneration occurs when some of these conical ends are converted into cusps. In this setting, we study the behavior of some spectral functions (e.g. spectral counting functions and spectral zeta) associated to such degenerating families.
Speaker:
Dr. Daniel Garbin of QCC
Abstract: We consider families of hyperbolic Riemann surfaces having conical ends. Degeneration occurs when some of these conical ends are converted into cusps. In this setting, we study the behavior of some spectral functions (e.g. spectral counting functions and spectral zeta) associated to such degenerating families.
Date: 5/9/2012 Time: 1:10 p.m. - 3:00 pm Room: S213
Speaker: Professor John Conway of Princeton University
Date: tba Time: 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 pm Room: S220
Speaker: Dr. Karan Puri of QCC
Abstract: We will begin by defining a Moebius transformation in dimension n and see that the set of these transformations forms a group under composition called the Moebius group (Moeb(n)). We will then state some basic facts and discuss the classification of Moebius transformations into conjugacy classes using some invariants. Against this background, if time permits, we will discuss recent results on generators of the Moebius group by conjugacy classes of involutions (joint with Ara Basmajian).
updated April 25, 2012
