MAA-NCS 2009 Summer Seminar


ACTUALLY DOING IT!:

A Hands-On Approach to Computational Combinatorial Geometry


Principal Lecturer: Professor Jesús De Loera,
University of California, Davis


Location: St. John's University, Collegeville, Minnesota


Dates: July 19-24, 2009


Contact: Jennifer Galovich jgalovich@csbsju.edu


Information Sheet Registration Form Tentative Schedule

The Program: It is undeniable that computers have changed the way we create and teach mathematics. Even classical old subjects such as geometry have not been immune to this influence. Among the most beautiful parts of geometry is combinatorial geometry, which deals with questions of geometric structures composed of finitely many elements. Examples of key structures include convex polytopes, hyperplane arrangements and point configurations. In this short course we introduce the audience to some fascinating computational problems that are at the same time profoundly deep and important but are beautiful and simple to understand. We will include daily hands-on laboratories using POLYMAKE and TOPCOM. Each day will be divided into theory and practice/exercise sessions. Topics of study include:

The Lecturer: Jesús De Loera is a member of the Mathematics faculty University of California, Davis, where his interests in discrete and computational geometry have afforded him regular crossover contacts as a member of the graduate groups in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science programs. Dr. De Loera received his B.S. in Mathematics from the National University in Mexico, and his Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from Cornell University. Prior to his current role at UC Davis, Professor De Loera has held positions at the Geometry Center at the University of Minnesota, the Swiss Federal Technology Institute, the Mathematical Sciences Institute at Berkeley (where he organized a special semester on Discrete and Computational Geometry), and the Universität Magdeburg in Germany. Dr. De Loera's research has been recognized through an Alexander von Humboldt Award. His teaching and service to students has been widely recognized; among the honors he has received at UC Davis are 2003 Chancellor's Fellow, 2006 Diversity Award, and 2007 Award for Excellence in Service to Graduate Students.

Previous NCS Summer Seminars

MAA-NCS 2007

Experimental Mathematics in Action: Insight Through Computation

Jonathan Borwein, Dalhousie University
Carleton College, Northfield, MN
July 16-20, 2007

MAA-NCS 2005

Bioinformatics: Where Mathematics Meets Molecules

Laurie Heyer, Davidson College
University of Minnesota-Duluth, Duluth, MN
July 18-22, 2005

MAA-NCS 2003

A Tour of Combinatorial Games

Elwyn Berlekamp
Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, MN
August 4-8, 2003

MAA-NCS 2001

The History of Mathematics

V. Frederick Rickey, United States Military Academy
Bemidji State University, Bemidji, MN
July 24-27, 2001

MAA-NCS 1999

Counting and Calculus

Richard Askey, University of Wisconsin - Madison
University of Minnesota - Duluth, Duluth, MN
August 9 - 13, 1999

Comments or corrections can be sent to the webmaster.