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Phone: 218-726-8747 / 218-726-8254
Fax: 218-726-8399
Email: mathstat@d.umn.edu
Undergraduate Studies
Email: math.dus@d.umn.edu
Graduate Studies
Email: math.dgs@d.umn.edu
140 Solon Campus Center (map)
1117 University Drive
Duluth, MN 55812-3000
The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers a weekly colloquium series on Thursdays. Most colloquia begin between 3:00 and 3:30. Seminars alternate between those aimed at Undergraduate (type U) and Graduate (type G) audiences.
- Archived 2005-6 Colloquia
- Archived 2006-7 Colloquia
- Archived 2007-8 Colloquia
- Archived 2008-9 Colloquia
- Archived 2009-10 Colloquia
- Archived 2010-11 Colloquia
- Archived 2011-12 Colloquia
Type |
Date |
Title |
Speaker |
U |
12/13/12 |
Luther Qson |
|
G |
12/6/12 |
Marshall Hampton |
|
U |
11/29/12 |
Stephanie Galvin |
|
U/G |
11/28/12 |
Gyula O. H. Katona |
|
G |
11/15/12 |
Jerrold R. Griggs Joint work with Gary D. Hollis, Jr. |
|
U |
11/08/12 |
Matt Ploenzke, Caroline Kioko and Kai Zu UMD Undergraduate Students |
|
U |
10/25/12 |
Kathryn Lenz UMD Department of Mathematics & Statistics |
|
G |
10/18/12 |
John Greene UMD Department of Mathematics & Statistics |
|
U |
10/11/12 |
Douglas Dunham UMD Department of Computer Science |
|
G |
10/4/12 |
Xuemiao Hao University of Manitoba |
|
U |
9/27/12 |
William Krossner President of Psyminn Corporation & Statistics |
|
G |
9/20/12 |
Zhuangyi Liu UMD Department of Mathematics & Statistics |
Stability of an Abstract System of Coupled Hyperbolic
and Parabolic Equations
by
Zhuangyi Liu
Department of Mathematics and Statistics
University of Minnesota Duluth
Abstract:
Time: Thursday, September 20, 3:00 PM
Location: 130 Solon Campus Center
The Most Useful Thing I Ever Learned in Mathematics
(and How It Helped Me Earn Thousands in the Stock Market)
by
William Krossner
President of Psyminn Corporation
Abstract: The most useful thing I ever learned in mathematics is a procedure for helping make decisions under conditions of uncertainty--which is a good description of what we often must do in life. No theory, just a description of the method and how it proved successful in stock market investing over a period of several decades.
Time: Thursday, September 27, 3:00 PM
Location: 150 Chemistry
Finite-time survival probability and credit default swaps pricing under geometric Levy markets
by
Xuemiao Hao
University of Manitoba
Joint work with Xuan Li, Department of Mathematics and Statistics,
and Yasutaka Shimizu, Osaka University
Abstract:
We study the distribution of first-passage time over a fixed level for a general pure-jump subordinator with a negative drift. We obtain a closed-form formula for the survival function of the first-passage time in terms of transition distribution and transition density of the subordinator. Then we apply the formula to calculate finite-time survival probabilities in a structural model of credit risk, in which the asset value process of a company is driven by a geometric L ́evy process. By doing this, we provide a closed-form pricing formula for a single-name credit default swap (CDS). Particularly, the pricing formula explains why the par CDS credit spread is not negligible when maturity becomes short.
Time: Thursday, October 4, 3:00 PM
Location: 130 Solon Campus Center
Hyperbolic Patterns and
Triply Periodic Polyhedra
by
Douglas Dunham
UMD Department of Computer Science
Abstract:
The Dutch artist M.C. Escher was the first person to create artistic repeating patterns on the hyperbolic plane. He also created patterns on symmetric closed polyhedra. In this talk we explain how we have extended his work in these two areas. First, about 30 years ago two students and I designed a program to create repeating hyperbolic patterns, thus extending Escher's work in that area. Second, recently I have created repeating patterns on triply periodic polyhedra in Euclidean 3-space, thus also extending Escher's work on patterned polyhedra. I will explain how these two areas are athematically related and show examples of both kinds of patterns.
Time: Thursday, October 11, 2012, 3:00 PM
Location: 150 Chemistry
Games with Fibonacci Numbers
by
John Greene
Abstract:
We all know the Fibonacci numbers: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, …, where one adds the two previous numbers to get the next. Here is a variation on this sequence: Add the two numbers as usual, but if the sum is divisible by 5, do the division to get the next term. The sequence now goes 1, 1, 2, 3, 1, 4, 1, 1, 2, 3, 1, 4, 1, 1, … We get periodic behavior in this case (starting 1, 1, …). Some years back, Kate Niedzielski and I looked at the following generalization: Define a sequence by
The question: For which rational numbers, r, could we find periodic solutions?
Time: Thursday, October 18, 2012, 3:00 PM
Location: 130 Solon Campus Center
Election Methods: Algorithms, Properties, Propaganda, and Experiments
by
Kathryn Lenz
UMD Department of Mathematics & Statistics
Abstract:
Within the past two decades various cities across the US and in Minnesota have experimented with instant run-off voting (IRV) for municipal elections, and Duluth could be next. These activities demonstrate a desire within the US electorate for replacing plurality voting with something better and they give insight into what US voters want from an election algorithm. Impressions and reactions of voters to IRV elections exemplify the importance of numeracy (the ability to reason and to apply numerical concepts) to the health of democracy. This presentation will describe several single-winner election algorithms including IRV, the Borda count, approval voting and simple score voting, distortions of the properties of IRV propagating in the public arena, and the opportunity this gives mathematically literate people to engage in civic dialogue and the pursuit of better election methods. Recent municipal elections, propaganda found on websites and in print, and reactions of mathematicians and non-mathematicians will be given.
Time: Thursday, October 25, 2012, 3:00 PM
Location: 150 Chemistry
What do Math students do with math?
In this colloquium three UMD Math/Stat majors will
discuss ways they have used mathematics.
My Summer at The Fed
by
Math Ploenzke
Abstract:
This past summer I interned at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. I will be sharing some of the experiences I had, what I learned, and the research I worked on, which included building and analyzing several survey databases using statistical techniques taught at UMD. I will be returning to the Fed upon graduation to work and I encourage all students interested in math, statistics, and economics to apply for this great program.
My internship experience at Bonnie Perkins
Farmers Insurance Agency in Duluth
by
Caroline Kioko
Abstract:
I will discuss how I found this internship opportunity, in addition to what I did as an intern, what I learned, and what the Farmers Insurance Group does. The Farmers Insurance Group is the third-largest provider of both private passenger auto and homeowners insurance in the U.S. It offers property, casualty, and umbrella insurance as well as financial services such as ROTH IRA retirement plans.
Mathematical Models of Chinese Population Dynamics
by
Kai Zu
Abstract:
The objective of this UROP project was to design a model that predicts the population of China up to 2050. A significant demographic transition has taken place in China since 1980s when they began to implement the one child policy. While China is still expected to enjoy a rapid economic growth in the next one or two decades the demographic trends have significant implications for future economic development. Choosing an appropriate mathematical model to estimate the population growth is important. The cohort-component method of population projection is a good choice.
Time: Thursday, November 8, 2012, 3:00 PM
Location: 150 Chemistry
Searching for Simple Symmetric Venn Diagrams
by
Jerrold R. Griggs
Abstract:
Symmetric Venn diagrams for n ≥ 2 sets can be constructed if and only if n is prime. However, known constructions are not simple: Simple Venn diagrams have no more than two curves passing through any point. Simple symmetric Venn diagrams have been found only for n =2, 3, 5, 7. We devised a simple description of the large class of such diagrams called monotone, and carried out a computer search that rediscovered all of the known diagrams for n ≤ 7. It is apparently much harder to find one for n = 11, but Ruskey et al. have very recently posted some.
Time: Thursday, November 15, 2012, 3:00 PM
Location: 130 Solon Campus Center
Towards a Structured Baranyai Theorem
by
Gyula O. H. Katona
Rényi
Institute,
Budapest
Abstract:
Time: Wednesday, November 28, 2012, 4:30 PM
Location: 150 Chemistry
My Journey from College to Career
by
Stephanie Galvin
LSS Data Systems
Abstract:
I came to UMD with a love for math and graduated in 2011 as a double major in math and stats. I will discuss my education experiences, my job search process (the highs and lows!), some of what I do today and how my UMD education has helped me have a successful career. I will also share my wisdom for preparing for the "real world" and suggestions for those about to embark on new journeys after graduation.
Time: Thursday, November 29, 2012, 3:00 PM
Location: 150 Chemistry
New Problems from Ancient Mathematics
by
Marshall Hampton
UMD Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Abstract:
A great deal of mathematics has arisen from problems in celestial mechanics. Calculus, differential equations, and parts of complex analysis, algebraic topology, and chaotic dynamical systems theory are just a few examples. This talk will briefly survey some of these historical developments and then highlight more recent mathematical and astronautical research that relates to the classical Newtonian N-body problem.
Time: Thursday, December 6, 2012, 3:00 PM
Location: 130 Solon Campus Center
by
Luther Qson
The College of St. Scholastica
Abstract:
We'll wave our hands at some physics to write down a differential equation that determines the vibration of a string, and examine the behavior of solutions to that equation. Then, we'll explore some thoughts about harmonic resonance, how that relates to pleasing chords (musical chords, not mathematical ones!) and the way the piano captures the standard western musical scale.
Time: Thursday, December 13, 2012, 3:00 PM
Location: 150 Chemistry
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