Department Of Mathematics, Kansas State University
| MONDAY Aug. 24 : | Undergraduate Lecture |
| Title: | How to Be the Best Math Student You Can Be |
| Marianne Korten, Professor, Department of Mathematics, Kansas State University
Abstract: This talk collects what I wished I had known when I started college, and what I think would have helped the students I taught over the last 20+ years. I spiced it up with snippets of a talk Suzanne Franks used to give to middle school girls and conversations with colleagues of our own and other departments. I expanded it watching my graduate students look for jobs and after writing recommendation letters for them and my graduating undergrads. I hope you have fun and that what you hear will be of good use. | |
| Time and Place: | 1:30 PM CW 122 |
| MONDAY Aug. 31 : | Undergraduate Lecture |
| Title: | The Career Fair, Internships, and Co-op Work Experiences |
| Jacqui Cooper, Assistant Director, College of Arts and Sciences Liason, Career and Employment Services, Kansas State University
Abstract: We will discuss CES Services, career options for math majors, resume development, helpful websites to consider, CES events, fairs, and special programs. | |
| Time and Place: | 1:30 PM CW 144 |
| THURSDAY Sep. 03 : | Function Theory Study Seminar |
| Title: | "The Nitsche conjecture" by T.Iwaniec, L.Kovalev, J.Onninen |
| Pietro Poggi-Corradini
Kansas State University Abstract: In 1962 Nitsche showed that harmonic homeomorphisms between round annuli cannot shrink the modulus too much and conjectured an explicit bound. This was setteld this summer by Iwaniec, Kovalev and Onninen. I will go over their paper in detail. Here is the arXiv link: http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1253 | |
| Time and Place: | 1:30 PM CW120 |
| TUESDAY Sep. 08 : | Faculty Meeting |
| Title: | Graduate Faculty Meeting |
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| Time and Place: | 2:30 PM CW 122 |
| THURSDAY Sep. 10 : | Function Theory Study Seminar |
| Title: | "The Nitsche conjecture" by T.Iwaniec, L.Kovalev, J.Onninen. Part II. |
| Pietro Poggi-Corradini
Kansas State University Abstract: Continuation of last week's talk. | |
| Time and Place: | 1:30 PM CW120 |
| MONDAY Sep. 14 : | Undergraduate Lecture |
| Title: | A Delicious Introduction to Auto Rates and the Actuarial Profession |
| Mark Lesperance, B. S. in Mathematics 1990 and M. S. in Mathematics 1991 Kansas State University
Actuary, Producers Agriculture Insurance Company, Amarillo, Texas Instructor, Department of Mathematics, Kansas State University Abstract: The actuarial profession is a challenging and rewarding field and provides great opportunities to utilize math and statistics in real applications. This presentation will provide a brief background on actuarial careers and job prospects. Through audience participation, we will also discuss the complexities of insurance pricing and utilize M&M's to illustrate a simple example for auto insurance. | |
| Time and Place: | 1:30 PM CW 122 |
| Analysis Seminar | |
| Title: | On the mixed problem for second order elliptic systems |
| Irina Mitrea,
Worcester Polytechnic Institute In this talk I will discuss well-posedness results for boundary value problems for second order elliptic operators with mixed Dirichlet and Neumann type boundary conditions in irregular domains. | |
| Time and Place: | 4:30 PM Cardwell 120 |
| TUESDAY Sep. 15 : | NINTH VIRGINIA L. CHATELAIN MEMORIAL LECTURE |
| Title: | Boundary-Value Problems for Higher-Order Elliptic Operators |
| Irina Mitrea
Worcester Polytechnic Institute Abstract: As is well known, many phenomena in engineering and mathematical physics can be modeled by means of boundary-value problems for a certain elliptic differential operator L in a domain. When L is a differential operator of second order, a variety of tools are available for dealing with such problems, including boundary-integral methods, variational methods, harmonic measure techniques, and methods based on classical harmonic analysis. The situation when the differential operator has higher order (as is the case, for instance, with anisotropic plate bending when one deals with fourth order) stands in sharp contrast with this, as only fewer options can be successfully implemented. Alberto Calderon, one of the founders of the modern theory of Singular Integral Operators, advocated in the seventies the use of layer potentials for the treatment of higher-order elliptic boundary-value problems. While the layer-potential method has proved to be tremendously successful in the treatment of second-order problems, this approach is insufficiently developed to deal with the intricacies of the theory of higher order operators. In fact, it is largely absent from the literature dealing with such problems. In this talk I will discuss recent progress in developing a multiple-layer-potential approach for the treatment of boundary-value problems associated with higher-order elliptic differential operators. This is done in a very general class of domains which is in the nature of best possible from the point of view of geometric measure theory. | |
| Time and Place: | 2:30 PM CW 102 |
| This lecture is partially supported by an ADVANCE IAB grant. | |
| MONDAY Sep. 21 : | Undergraduate Lecture |
| Title: | Finding an Actuarial Internship |
| Eric Mann, B. S. in Mathematics and Statistics 2006 Kansas State University
Actuarial Analyst, Allstate Insurance, Mount Prospect, Illinois; Graduate Student, Statistics, Kansas State University Abstract: This talk will cover several important elements for finding an actuarial internship: passing actuarial exams, performing well at college, looking for companies to apply to, preparing a resume and cover letter, and interviewing. It will focus on resources available at K-State to make yourself a great internship candidate. | |
| Time and Place: | 1:30 PM CW 122 |
| TUESDAY Sep. 22 : | Number Theory Seminar |
| Title: | The circle method in function fields, III |
| Craig Spencer
Kansas State University | |
| Time and Place: | 3:30 PM Cardwell 122 |
| Geometry, Topology, and Physics | |
| Title: | Limits and colimits |
| Victor Turchin
Kansas State University Abstract The aim of the talk is to explain the notion of a limit and a colimit. Time permitting I will also discuss the homotopy invariant version of this construction: homotopy (co)limit. From wikipedia: In category theory, a branch of mathematics, the abstract notion of a limit captures the essential properties of universal constructions such as products and inverse limits. The dual notion of a colimit generalizes constructions such as disjoint unions, direct sums, coproducts, pushouts and direct limits. | |
| Time and Place: | 3:30 PM Burt 204 |
| WEDNESDAY Sep. 23 : | Analysis Seminar |
| Title: | Good-lambda inequalities and potentials for non-doubling measures |
| Mukta Bhandari,
Kansas State University We establish a good-lambda inequality relating the distribution functions of a Riesz potential and a fractional maximal function. This is extended to weights. We also derive potential inequalities as an application. | |
| Time and Place: | 4:30 PM Cardwell 120 |
| THURSDAY Sep. 24 : | Function Theory Study Seminar |
| Title: | Szego's theorem on polynomial approximation |
| Xiang Fang
Kansas State University Abstract: Note that this is not Szego's theorem on boundary values of Poisson integrals. It is about using polynomials vanishing at the origin to approximate the constant function. The proof will be a nice combination of classical analysis and functional analysis. I will also talk about its generalization to several variable Fourier series. | |
| Time and Place: | 1:30 PM CW120 |
| MONDAY Sep. 28 : | Undergraduate Lecture |
| Title: | Careers in Finance for Mathematics Majors |
| Roger Bey, Ph. D. Pennsylvania State University
Professor and Chairman, Department of Finance and Operations Management, University of Tulsa Abstract: Roger Bey will discuss how mathematics majors are ideal candidates for graduate programs in finance and why they are excellent candidates for finance careers. He will explain the interrelationship between mathematics and finance, how students can best prepare (select appropriate courses) for graduate business studies, and the various types of graduate business studies. In addition, he will describe the University of Tulsa’s MS in Finance (MSF) program and their dual degree MBA/MSF and MSF/MS in Applied Mathematics programs. Some of the aspects of the University of Tulsa’s programs to be discussed include areas of concentration, curriculum, admission requirements, graduate assistantships, fellowships, year-around corporate internships and placement. Go to http://www.cba.utulsa.edu/msfinance for program details. | |
| Time and Place: | 1:30 PM CW 122 |
| TUESDAY Sep. 29 : | TENTH VIRGINIA L. CHATELAIN MEMORIAL LECTURE |
| Title: | The Cauchy Integral in C^n |
| Loredana Lanzani
University of Arkansas Abstract: The classical Cauchy integral is a fundamental object of complex analysis whose analytic properties are intimately related to the geometric properties of its supporting curve. In this talk I will begin by reviewing the most relevant features of the classical Cauchy integral. I will then move on to the (surprisingly more involved) construction of the Cauchy integral for a hypersurface in C^n; I will conclude by presenting new results joint with E. M. Stein concerning the regularity properties of this integral and their relations with the geometry of the hypersurface. | |
| Time and Place: | 2:30 PM CW 102 |
| This lecture is partially supported by an ADVANCE IAB grant. | |
| Geometry, Topology, and Physics | |
| Title: | Homotopy (co)limits |
| Victor Turchin
Kansas State University Abstract This is a continuation talk. The disadvantage of limits and colimits is that they are not homotopy invariant. I will give an alternative definition of a limit for the topological category. An appropriate deformation of this definition provides a construction for homotopy invariant limits and colimits. | |
| Time and Place: | 3:30 PM Burt 204 |
| THURSDAY Oct. 01 : | Function Theory Study Seminar |
| Title: | Szego's theorem on polynomial approximation II |
| Xiang Fang
Kansas State University Abstract: Continuation of last week's talk. | |
| Time and Place: | 1:30 PM CW120 |
| FRIDAY Oct. 02 : | Conference |
| Title: | The Ninth Annual Prairie Analysis Seminar |
| October 2 and 3, Friday afternoon and Saturday
Invited Speakers: Emmanuele DiBenedetto, Vanderbilt University will give two one-hour lectures, and Ugo Gianazza, University of Pavia, and Vicenzo Vespri, University of Florence, will each give a one-hour lecture. There will be over 20 contributed talks. | |
| Time and Place: | 12:30 PM Cardwell 103 |
| NINTH PRAIRIE ANALYSIS SEMINAR | |
| Title: | Measure Theoretical Methods in Degenerate and/or Singular Parabolic PDES I |
| Emmanuelle DiBenedetto
Vanderbilt University | |
| Time and Place: | 2:20 PM CW 103 |
| NINTH PRAIRIE ANALYSIS SEMINAR | |
| Title: | A New Regularity Approach for Weak Solutions of Degenerate Parabolic Equations |
| Vincenzo Vespri
University of Florence | |
| Time and Place: | 3:40 PM BT 114 |
| SATURDAY Oct. 03 : | NINTH PRAIRIE ANALYSIS SEMINAR |
| Title: | Measure Theoretical Methods in Degenerate and/or Singular Parabolic PDES II |
| Emmanuele DiBenedetto
Vanderbilt University | |
| Time and Place: | 2:15 PM CW 102 |
| NINTH PRAIRIE ANALYSIS SEMINAR | |
| Title: | Continuity of the Saturation in the Flow of Two Immiscible Fluids in a Porous Medium |
| Ugo Gianazza
University of Pavia | |
| Time and Place: | 3:40 PM CW 102 |
| TUESDAY Oct. 06 : | Geometry, Topology, and Physics |
| Title: | Homotopy (co)limits |
| Victor Turchin
Kansas State University Abstract This is a continuation talk. The disadvantage of limits and colimits is that they are not homotopy invariant. I will give an alternative definition of a limit for the topological category. An appropriate deformation of this definition provides a construction for homotopy invariant limits and colimits. (This is a continuation talk, but it should be understandable to those who were absent last time.) | |
| Time and Place: | 3:30 PM Burt 204 |
| THURSDAY Oct. 08 : | Function Theory Study Seminar |
| Title: | Another proof of Szego's theorem by F. Holland. |
| Shkelzen Mansaku,
Kansas State University Abstract | |
| Time and Place: | 1:30 PM CW120 |
| Faculty Meeting | |
| Title: | Permanent Faculty Meeting |
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| Time and Place: | 2:30 PM CW 122 |
| MONDAY Oct. 12 : | Undergraduate Lecture |
| Title: | Graduate Studies in Mathematics |
| LaVerne Bitsie Baldwin, M. S. in Math 2000 Kansas State University
Director of the Multicultural Engineering Program, Kansas State University Rachel Manspeaker, Peter Nguyen, and Vincent Pigno, Graduate/Doctoral Students, Department of Mathematics, Kansas State University Abstract: The Director of the I-Center and the Undergraduate Director will be hosting a panel about Graduate Studies in Mathematics. The main questions we want to consider are:
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| Time and Place: | 1:30 PM CW 122 |
| TUESDAY Oct. 13 : | Geometry, Topology, and Physics |
| Title: | Classifying space of a small category and BK construction of a cofibrant diagram |
| Victor Turchin
Kansas State University Abstract In the talk I will explain how such ideas as nerve of a category and classifying space of a category can be used to construct cofibrant objectwise contractible diagrams. This construction is due to Bousfield and Kan and can be used for a functorial definition of homotopy (co)limits. | |
| Time and Place: | 3:30 PM Burt 204 |
| THURSDAY Oct. 15 : | Function Theory Study Seminar |
| Title: | MOVIE: "What the heck is Haar measure" |
| Persi Diaconis at MSRI
Abstract: In this expository talk Persi Diaconis will introduce us to the real meaning of Haar measure. This talk was given at MSRI in July of 2009. I will start the video 1 minute earlier because it goes 60 minutes. | |
| Time and Place: | 1:30 PM CW120 |
| MONDAY Oct. 19 : | Undergraduate Lecture |
| Title: | Undergraduate Research in Mathematics |
| Marianne Korten, Director of the I-Center, Department of Mathematics, Kansas State University
Todd Cochrane and Virginia Naibo, Professors, Department of Mathematics, Kansas State University Chris Juarez, Undergraduate Math Stat Major, Kansas State University Abstract: The Director of the I-Center and the Undergraduate Director will be hosting a panel about Undergraduate Research in Mathematics. Virginia, Ricardo, and Todd have supervised undergraduate research in different contexts: I-Center, Goldwater, Clare Boothe Luce, McNair, and BRIDES/Developing Scholars scholarships; some of the projects were interdisciplinary. Undergraduate math/stat major Chris participated in a statistics conference at Berkeley this past summer and is a McNair Scholar. The main questions we want to look at are:
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| Time and Place: | 1:30 PM CW 122 |
| TUESDAY Oct. 20 : | Geometry, Topology, and Physics |
| Title: | Model categories |
| Victor Turchin
Kansas State University Abstract (From wikipedia) A model category is a category with distinguished classes of morphisms called 'weak equivalences', 'fibrations' and 'cofibrations'. These abstract from a conventional homotopy category, of topological spaces or of chain complexes (derived category theory). This concept was introduced in 1967 by Daniel G. Quillen. As a main reference I will be using the following paper by Dwyer and Spalinski: http://hopf.math.purdue.edu/Dwyer-Spalinski/theories.pdf | |
| Time and Place: | 3:30 PM Burt 204 |
| THURSDAY Oct. 22 : | Function Theory Study Seminar |
| Title: | "Lack of sphere packing of graphs via non-linear potential theory", by I. Benjamini and O. Schramm |
| Pietro Poggi-Corradini
Kansas State University Abstract: A theorem of Koebe shows that given a finite planar graph (no loops and no multiple edges) there is a disk packing in the plane with contact graph the given graph. The authors explore the question of which graphs admit a quasi-sphere packing in R^N, N>2. A quasi-spheres are domains for which the ratio between the outer radius and the inner radius is uniformly bounded. One of their tools is a discrete version of the p-Laplacian. | |
| Time and Place: | 1:30 PM CW120 |
| MONDAY Oct. 26 : | Undergraduate Lecture |
| Title: | West African Experiences |
| Gary Lortscher, B. S. in Feed Technology 1963 Kansas State University
President, Lortscher Agri Service, Inc., Bern, Kansas Betty Lortscher, M. S. in Textiles and Clothing 1971 Kansas State University Secretary - Treasurer, Lortscher Agri Service, Inc., Bern, Kansas Abstract: Combined, we've spent nearly 10 years in Guinea and Nigeria, West Africa; Gary with the Peace Corps and USAID and Betty with CIDA. We'd like to share some of our experiences. | |
| Time and Place: | 1:30 PM CW 122 |
| TUESDAY Oct. 27 : | Operator Algebras Seminar |
| Title: | Graph Algebras I |
| We will read Chapter 1 from Ian Raeburn's book: "Directed Graphs and Cuntz-Kreiger families." | |
| Time and Place: | 1:00 PM BH 204 |
| Semninar duration: 1 hour 30 min. | |
| Faculty Meeting | |
| Title: | Tenured Faculty Meeting |
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| Time and Place: | 2:30 PM CW 122 |
| Geometry/Topology/Physics Seminar | |
| Title: | State-Sum Constructions in Topological Quantum Field Theory, I |
| David Yetter
Kansas State University We will consider various constructions using objects and arrows of suitable categories as local states on faces of a triangulation of a manifold to give construct topological quantum field theories, including Dijkgraaf-Witten Theory, Turaev-Viro Theory, and Crane-Yetter Theory. | |
| Time and Place: | 3:30 PM Burt 204 |
| WEDNESDAY Oct. 28 : | Analysis Seminar |
| Title: | Weighted multilinear Poincaré inequalities, Part I. |
| Diego Maldonado
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| Time and Place: | 4:30 PM Cardwell 120 |
| THURSDAY Oct. 29 : | Function Theory Study Seminar |
| Title: | "Lack of sphere packing of graphs via non-linear potential theory", by I. Benjamini and O. Schramm, Part II |
| Poggi-Corradini
Kansas State University Abstract: A theorem of Koebe shows that given a finite planar graph (no loops and no multiple edges) there is a disk packing in the plane with contact graph the given graph. The authors explore the question of which graphs admit a quasi-sphere packing in R^N, N>2. A quasi-spheres are domains for which the ratio between the outer radius and the inner radius is uniformly bounded. One of their tools is a discrete version of the p-Laplacian. | |
| Time and Place: | 1:30 PM CW120 |
| MONDAY Nov. 02 : | Undergraduate Lecture |
| Title: | Careers Using Mathematics and Statistics in the Pharmaceutical Industry |
| Lane Senne, M. S. in Statistics 2005 Kansas State University
Senior Biostatistician, PRA International, Lenexa, Kansas Abstract: I will provide some background on PRA International and an overview of the drug development process and explain the roles of the biostatistician and analysis programmer in clinical trials. I will also describe a training program at PRA International for which we are recruiting new college graduates for careers as analysis programmers. | |
| Time and Place: | 1:30 PM CW 122 |
| WEDNESDAY Nov. 04 : | Analysis Seminar |
| Title: | Weighted multilinear Poincaré inequalities, Part II |
| Virginia Naibo
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| Time and Place: | 4:30 PM Cardwell 120 |
| THURSDAY Nov. 05 : | Function Theory Study Seminar |
| Title: | The mathematics behind Google's PageRank algorithm |
| Virginia Naibo
Kansas State University Abstract: The title says it all! Come to learn the elegant math behind Google's PageRank. This talk will be accessible to anyone who has taken a course in linear algebra. | |
| Time and Place: | 1:30 PM CW120 |
| MONDAY Nov. 09 : | Undergraduate Lecture |
| Title: | The Mathematical Process |
| Brian Pasko, M. S. in Mathematics 2001, Ph. D. in Mathematics 2006 Kansas State University
Professor, Eastern New Mexico University, Portales, New Mexico Abstract: I will use the undergraduate article A Strategy for a Class of Games by R.S. Pierce to illustrate the process of picking, piecing and solving interesting problems. Math is not just facts, formulae and theorems! It is also beautiful, powerful and fun! | |
| Time and Place: | 1:30 PM CW 122 |
| TUESDAY Nov. 10 : | Geometry/Topology/Physics Seminar |
| Title: | State-Sum Constructions in TQFT, II |
| David Yetter
Kansas State University We continue laying the groundwork for constructions of TQFT's based on triangulations of manifolds with a quick review of basic concepts from PL topology. | |
| Time and Place: | 3:30 PM Burt 204 |
| THURSDAY Nov. 12 : | THIRTY-FIFTH WILLIAM J. SPENCER LECTURE |
| Title: | Frames and the Discrete Fourier Transform |
| John Benedetto
University of Maryland Abstract: A new role for the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) is described. The setting is the theory of frames, whose history involves Riemann, Weber, Dini, Paley and Wiener, Duffin and Schaeffer, Beurling, and Henry Landau. The topics include the analysis of phase-coded waveforms, quantization methods, and vector-valued ambiguity functions. Each of the topics has basic applicability in modern communications and radar. Further, each of the topics is best understood mathematically with tools from number theory and harmonic analysis. There are also finite-unit, norm-tight frames associated with the DFT matrix. These frames have significant generalizations parameterized by finite abelian groups and unitary operators in one direction and by Hadamard matrices in another. | |
| Time and Place: | 2:30 PM CW 102 |
| FRIDAY Nov. 13 : | Analysis Seminar |
| Title: | Frames for wavelet sets and classification of spectral data |
| John J. Benedetto,
University of Maryland The theme is the role of frames in providing effective tools to deal with large data sets. There are two case studies. The mathematical tools are wavelet theory, Fourier analysis, and frame potential energy analysis. The first case constructs simple, smooth dyadic wavelet frames for Euclidean space from ONE wavelet. A surprising phenomenon, called a frame bound gap arises; and these gaps are analyzed and computed. The second case designs a classification algorithm, where frames are required to balance classification with dimension reduction. The technology naturally combines frame potential energy with discrete Wiener amalgam spaces. Examples include the analysis of hyperspectral and retinal data. | |
| Time and Place: | 4:30 PM Cardwell 120 |
| MONDAY Nov. 16 : | Undergraduate Lecture |
| Title: | Curiosity is the Ants in the Pants of Life |
| Evan Stewart, B. S. in Mathematics 1965 Kansas State University
Vice President and CIO B/E Aerospace, Inc. Winston-Salem, North Carolina Abstract: Hypothesis - better questions result in better answers - better questions improve communications - better questions speed evolution - better questions improve with the study and use of mathematics. | |
| Time and Place: | 1:30 PM CW 122 |
| WEDNESDAY Nov. 18 : | Analysis Seminar |
| Title: | Implicit function theorem via the Dynamical Systems Method (DSM) |
| A.G. Ramm
The Dynamical Systems Method (DSM) for solving a class of nonlinear operator equations F (u) = f in a Hilbert space H is discussed. Sufficient conditions are given for an implicit function theorem to hold. The result is established by an application of the version of the Dynamical Systems Method (DSM), a Newton-type method. This result allows one to solve the above equations in the case when the Frechet derivative F'(u) of the nonlinear operator F is a smoothing operator, so that its inverse is an unbounded operator. The DSM version we discuss is: u(t) = -[F'(u(t)]^-1 (F(u(t)) - f ), u(0) = u_0 . Under suitable assumptions we prove that a) the above problem has a global solution, b) there exists u(\infty),and c) F (u(\infty)) = f. | |
| Time and Place: | 4:30 PM Cardwell 120 |
| MONDAY Nov. 23 : | Undergraduate Lecture |
| Title: | What Can You Do With Your Math Degree? |
| Donald Adongo, Ph. D. in Mathematics 2008, Kansas State University
Professor of Mathematics, Murray State University, Murray, Kentucky Abstract: What is your major? Mathematics! What will you do with that? This conversation or a variation of it takes place many times. We will explore many areas open to mathematics majors and discuss ways that would contribute towards success in these areas. | |
| Time and Place: | 1:30 PM CW 122 |
| MONDAY Nov. 30 : | Undergraduate Lecture |
| Title: | TBA |
| Julie Pool, M. S. in Mathematics 1994 Kansas State University
Director of Information Technologies, Koch Pipeline, Wichita, Kansas Abstract: TBA | |
| Time and Place: | 1:30 PM CW 122 |
| MONDAY Dec. 07 : | Undergraduate Lecture |
| Title: | TBA |
| Christopher Schroeder, Ph. D. in Mathematics 2002, Kansas State University
Professor of Mathematics, Morehead State University, Morehead, Kentucky Abstract: TBA | |
| Time and Place: | 1:30 PM CW 122 |
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