Colloquia

Department Colloquia

In a typical year, four or more colloquium talks are given on mathematical topics that are accessible, interesting and new to students. The speakers, usually visitors from other institutions, aim their talks at an undergraduate audience. Students can broaden their knowledge and awareness of mathematics at these venues. Both before and after the talk, there are opportunities to chat with the speaker as well as with faculty members and other students. If you have questions about the colloquia, contact Melanie Chamberlin to find out who is the acting coordinator.

These are the scheduled colloquia for the academic year 2012-2013.

  • Keith Conrad from the University of Connecticut
    Date: September 25, 2013
  • Ruth Charney from Brandeis University
    Date: October 17 (Heard Lecture)
  • Cassandra Pattanayak from the Wellesley Quantitative Reasoning Institute
    Date: November 6
  • Erica Camacho from Arizona State University
    Date: November 19

Martha Davenport Heard Lecture

The twelfth annual Martha Davenport Heard Lecture is scheduled for Thursday, October 17. This year we are excited to hear from Professor Ruth Charney from Brandeis University.

Our past Heard lecturers have been:

  • 2002-2003: Robin Lock, St. Lawrence College (Random Behavior: An essential tool in the statistician's toolbox)
  • 2003-2004: Peter Winkler, Dartmouth College (Probability and Intuition)
  • 2004-2005: Art Benjamin, Harvey Mudd College (Mathemagics)
  • 2005-2006: Sir Randolph Bacon III, sponsored by his cousin-in-law, Colin Adams, Williams College (Blown Away: what Knot to Do When Sailing)
  • 2006-2007: Jennifer Quinn, Executive Director of the Association for Women in Mathematics (Determinants via Determined Ants)
  • 2007-2008: Jill Pipher, Brown University (Public key cryptography, lattices and NTRU)
  • 2008-2009: Karen Parshall, University of Virginia (Internationalization of Mathematics in a World of Nations: 1800-1960)
  • 2009-2010: Francis Su, Harvey Mudd College (Voting in Agreeable Soceties)
  • 2010-2011: Carolyn Gordan, Dartmouth College (You can't hear the shape of a drum)
  • 2011-2012: Tara Holm, Cornell University (Dance of the Astonished Topologist (or How I Left Squares and Hexes for Math))
  • 2012-2013: Setyan Davados, Williams College (The World of Particle Collisions)
  • 2013-2014: Ruth Charney, Brandeis University

Upcoming Events

 

Monday, Sept 30, SCI 362/364

Laura Bruno is this week's speaker in the student seminar. She'll give a talked entitled School's in Session: The Locker Problem. We'll meet in 362 for lunch around 12:20, then head over to 364 around 12:35 to hear the talk.
 

Thursday, Oct 17, SCI 362/396

Ruth Charney from the Brandeis will give the 12th annual Heard Lecture.  The title of her talk is Robotics and Geometry. We'll meet around 3:45 for some refreshments and socializing before heading to room 396 for the talk at 4:15.  Everyone is welcome to attend!  Afterward the department will hold a banquet dinner in honor of the speakers.  Students who are interested in joining us for the dinner should speak with a professor or with Melanie.

 

Want e-updates?

Want to hear about the latest events in the math department via email?  Join the department's Google group by signing up here!