Mathematics Colloquia

Spring 2008

Past Talks:

• Fall 2002 Talks
• Spring 2003 Talks
• Fall 2003 Talks
• Spring 2004 Talks
• Fall 2004 Talks
• Spring 2005 Talks
• Fall 2005 Talks
• Spring 2006 Talks
• Fall 2006 Talks
• Spring 2007 Talks
• Fall 2007 Talks

February 1 (12:00PM-1:00PM, FO3-200A) Scott Nollet, Texas Christian University

The Jacobian Conjecture.

Abstract: The jacobian conjecture (still open after almost 70 years) asks whether a polynomial map F : C^n -> C^n with non-vanishing jacobian det DF must be bi-jective. Following an excellent 1982 survey article of Bass, Connell, and Wright, I will discuss some history of the conjecture and faulty proofs. Time permitting, I will describe some recent developments.

February 8 (12:00PM-1:00PM, FO3-200A) Edward Mosteig, Loyola Marymount University

An Introduction to Groebner Bases and Their Applications. Abstract

February 15 (12:00PM-1:00PM, FO3-200A) Rosella Santagata, UCI

Video-Based Analysis of Mathematics Teaching: A Tool for Teacher Learning and to Capture Teacher Knowledge. Abstract

February 22 (12:00PM-1:00PM, FO3-200A) Joshua Lamkins, CSULB Student

Checkered Partitions. Abstract

February 29 (12:00PM-1:00PM, FO3-200A) David Poole, Trent University, Ontario, Canada

Everything You Always Wanted To Know About: The Tower of Hanoi. Abstract

April 11 (12:00PM-1:00PM, FO3-200A) Slava Krushkal, University of Virginia

The chromatic polynomial, the golden ratio, and quantum topology.

Abstract: In the 1960s Tutte discovered several remarkable properties of the chromatic polynomial related to the golden ratio. I will explain how these results may be proved and generalized using quantum topology and algebras underlying them. The talk will not assume any special background in topology or combinatorics.

April 25 (12:00PM-1:00PM, FO3-200A) Marija Rasajski, School of Electrical Engineering, University of Belgrade, Serbia, Europe; visiting UCI

Multicyclic Reflexive Graphs. Abstract

May 16 (11:00AM-12:00PM, FO3-200A) Chun-Hsiung Hsia, The University of Illinois at Chicago

An Introduction to Dynamical Bifurcation Theory and Its Applications.

Abstract: In the talk, we introduce the concepts and the machinery of bifurcation theory. Bifurcation theory studies the qualitative changes of the solutions for a system of equations while the control parameters of the equations vary. We will start with algebraic equations and ordinary differential equations to demonstrate basic ideas of bifurcation theory. We present different types of bifurcations including steady-state bifurcation, Hopf bifurcation and attractor bifurcation. We will conclude this talk by showing applications.