August 27, 2009

Title:	A cohomological approach to Serre's Minkowski-style bounds
Speaker:	Giovanni Di Matteo (`06) Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon (forthcoming) Lyon, France
Abstract:	In recent years, Serre has adapted a classical theorem of Minkowski to give bounds for the ℓ-valuation of |G(k)|, where G is a reductive group or semi-simple of inner type. It was observed by Serre that these bounds may be recovered from ℓ-adic cohomology. We illuminate the cohomological approach in the case of G = GLn.
Location:	Palenske 227
Time:	3:10

September 10, 2009

Title:	Planning for Graduate Study in Mathematics and Computer Science
Speaker:	David A. Reimann Associate Professor Mathematics and Computer Science Albion College Albion, Michigan
Abstract:	A degree in mathematics or computer science is excellent preparation for graduate school in areas such as mathematics, statistics, computer science, engineering, finance, and law. Come learn about graduate school and options you will have to further your education after graduation.
Location:	Palenske 227
Time:	3:10

September 17, 2009

Title:	Exploring the mathematical themes of M. C. Escher's artwork
Speaker:	David A. Reimann Associate Professor Department of Mathematics and Computer Science Albion College Albion, Michigan
Abstract:	M.C. Escher illustrated many mathematical themes in his artwork. In addition to developing many ideas independently, he was inspired by conversations with mathematicians throughout his lifetime. One thing that sets Escher apart from a strict mathematical illustrator is that Escher extensively used concrete objects to help illustrate complex abstract concepts such as infinity. In this talk, we will view many of Escher's artworks and explore some of the mathematical themes present in his work.
Location:	Palenske 227
Time:	3:10 pm

September 24, 2009

Title:	N is a Number: A Portrait of Paul Erdős; A film by George Paul Csicsery
Speaker:
Abstract:	A man with no home and no job, Paul Erdos was the most prolific mathematician who ever lived. Universally revered among mathematicians, Erdos, who was born in Hungary in 1913, was a wandering genius who eschewed the traditional trappings of success, dedicating himself instead to inventing new problems and searching for their solutions. He inspired generations of mathematicians throughout the world with his insightful approach and the wry humor with which he discusses politics, death, and the cosmic struggle to uncover proofs hidden by the most stubborn of adversaries - God. N is a Number, a documentary filmed in England, Hungary, Poland and the United States over four years, presents Erdos's mathematical quest in its personal and philosophical dimensions, and the tragic historical events that molded his life. N is a Number was made with support from the American Mathematical Society, Film Arts Foundation, the Heineman Foundation, the Mathematical Association of America and the National Science Foundation's Informal Science Education Program. http://www.zalafilms.com/films/nisfilm.html.
Location:	Palenske 227
Time:	3:10 PM

October 1, 2009

Title:	Revolution OS - Part 1
Speaker:
Abstract:	REVOLUTION OS tells the inside story of the hackers who rebelled against the proprietary software model and Microsoft to create GNU/Linux and the Open Source movement. On June 1, 2001, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said "Linux is a cancer that attaches itself in an intellectual property sense to everything it touches." Microsoft fears GNU/Linux, and rightly so. GNU/Linux and the Open Source & Free Software movements arguably represent the greatest threat to Microsoft's way of life. Shot in cinemascope on 35mm film in Silicon Valley, REVOLUTION OS tracks down the key movers and shakers behind Linux, and finds out how and why Linux became such a potent threat. REVOLUTION OS features interviews with Linus Torvalds, Richard Stallman, Bruce Perens, Eric Raymond, Brian Behlendorf, Michael Tiemann, Larry Augustin, Frank Hecker, and Rob Malda. To view the trailer or the first eight minutes go to the ifilm website for REVOLUTION OS. Companies such as Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Oracle, Wipro, Ogilvy & Mather, OSTG, and Dreamworks Animation have rented REVOLUTON OS for private theatrical screenings. It has also screened in numerous film festivals including South By Southwest Film Festival, the Atlanta Film & Video Festival, Boston Film Festival, and Denver International Film Festival. REVOLUTION OS won Best Documentary at both the Savannah Film & Video Festival and the Kudzu Film Festival. See www.revolution-os.com/ for more information.
Location:	Palenske 227
Time:	3:10 pm

October 8, 2009

Title:	Revolution OS - Part 2
Speaker:
Abstract:	REVOLUTION OS tells the inside story of the hackers who rebelled against the proprietary software model and Microsoft to create GNU/Linux and the Open Source movement. On June 1, 2001, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said "Linux is a cancer that attaches itself in an intellectual property sense to everything it touches." Microsoft fears GNU/Linux, and rightly so. GNU/Linux and the Open Source & Free Software movements arguably represent the greatest threat to Microsoft's way of life. Shot in cinemascope on 35mm film in Silicon Valley, REVOLUTION OS tracks down the key movers and shakers behind Linux, and finds out how and why Linux became such a potent threat. REVOLUTION OS features interviews with Linus Torvalds, Richard Stallman, Bruce Perens, Eric Raymond, Brian Behlendorf, Michael Tiemann, Larry Augustin, Frank Hecker, and Rob Malda. To view the trailer or the first eight minutes go to the ifilm website for REVOLUTION OS. Companies such as Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Oracle, Wipro, Ogilvy & Mather, OSTG, and Dreamworks Animation have rented REVOLUTON OS for private theatrical screenings. It has also screened in numerous film festivals including South By Southwest Film Festival, the Atlanta Film & Video Festival, Boston Film Festival, and Denver International Film Festival. REVOLUTION OS won Best Documentary at both the Savannah Film & Video Festival and the Kudzu Film Festival. See www.revolution-os.com/ for more information.
Location:	Palenske 227
Time:	3:10 pm

October 15, 2009

Title:	Teaching Robots to See
Speaker:	Nathan Sprague Assistant Professor of Computer Science Department of Mathematics and Computer Science Kalamazoo College Kalamazoo, Michigan
Abstract:	I will present some recent research at the intersection of machine learning, computer vision, and robotics. The objective of my work is to understand how machines and organisms can learn to extract relevant information from the noise and confusion of unprocessed visual input. I will also describe recent work at Kalamazoo College to develop a simulator and controller framework for the iRobot Create robotic platform.
Location:	Palenske 227
Time:	3:10 pm

October 29, 2009

Title:	The Fibonacci Sequence: Melody and Harmony
Speaker:	Vivek Dhand Postdoctoral Fellow Department of Mathematics Michigan State University East Lansing, Michigan
Abstract:	The Fibonacci numbers are famous for their intriguing appearances in art and nature, and their mathematical properties have been extensively studied. Remarkably, the Fibonacci sequence is periodic mod n, for any positive integer n. In fact, we can produce many such periodic sequences by simply changing our initial conditions. We interpret these sequences in terms of points on a torus, and then as a musical score.
Location:	Palenske 227
Time:	3:10 pm

November 5, 2009

Title:	The P2 + P problem and conjectures of Pólya
Speaker:	Stephanie Edwards Associate Professor Department of Mathematics Hope College Holland, Michigan
Abstract:	One of the problems stated in the Pólya and Szegö text from the early 1900's, "Aufgaben und Lehrsätze aus der Analysis," is: If P is a real polynomial with only real zeros, find the number of non-real zeros of P2 + P. If one removes the hypothesis that P has only real zeros, the problem becomes quite hard and was not solved until the 1980's. We will solve the P2 + P problem when P has only simple real zeros. Further, we will show how the problem can be restated in terms of the number of non-real zeros of the second derivative of a real entire function and discuss the research and progress which has been made in the area of distribution of zeros of real entire functions.
Location:	Palenske 227
Time:	3:10

November 12, 2009

Title:	Simplified Assembly Language Programming
Speaker:	James T. Streib Professor and Chair of Computer Science Department of Computer Science Illinois College Jacksonville, Illinois
Abstract:	Assembly Language is a low-level language that uses mnemonics and has a one-to-one correspondence to the machine language (which uses ones and zeros) of a particular processor. Understanding the fundamentals of assembly language need not be intimidating and programming can be simplified by using techniques involved in learning high-level languages. This talk is based on a previously published paper by the same name in the Journal of Computing for Small Colleges, November 2000, and also an upcoming text tentatively entitled Guide to Assembly Language: A Look at the Intel Processor to be published by Springer Verlag London Ltd.
Location:	Palenske 227
Time:	3:10 pm

November 19, 2009

Title:	Minimal Requirements for Representation in the Democratic Primary
Speaker:	Michael A. Jones Associate Editor Mathematical Reviews American Mathematical Society Ann Arbor, Michigan
Abstract:	In the Democratic Party Primary, presidential candidates are assigned delegates based on their share of the vote in each primary state using Hamilton's method of apportionment. However party rules state that candidates receiving less than 15% of the vote are not awarded any delegates. In this talk, we look at the consequences of such a cut-off for Hamilton's method and several other apportionment methods. For each method, we find the threshold of inclusion (the level of support necessary to possibly receive a delegate) and the threshold of exclusion (the level of support necessary to assuredly receive a delegate). We compare these values and determine the relationship between the thresholds and the Democratic Party cutoff of 15%. We also examine a new apportionment paradox that can arise when cut-offs are applied to Hamilton's method.
Location:	Palenske 227
Time:	3:10 pm