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Come for the free coffee and donuts, stay for the math!
The Math Society colloquium series is committed to presenting interesting mathematics in a friendly and
accessible setting. Colloquia are intended for undergraduate students, which means that you don't need to be scared about
the content: it is tailored to YOU.
Colloquia are held every few weeks in the Macphail room (4351HP). Check back in the fall for a more detailed schedule.
Math Colloquium #6
Date: Tuesday March 20 from 10:30AM - 11:30AM
Speaker: Dr. Brett Stevens
Topic: Math in Literature
Abstract: Rarely outside of science fiction do we think of math playing a more essential role in a literary work
and many people would be incredulous at the thought of literature spawning interesting mathematical pursuits. I
intend to give one primary example of both of these more substantial directions of influence. In the first half
of the talk I will discuss the history of the Euler conjecture on pairs Mutually Orthogonal Latin Squares and
their direct application by French Oulipoian author Georges Perec to the plot structure of his novel "Life a User's
Manual" demonstrating how math can play an extremely fertile role in the creation and structure of a novel. In the
second half of my talk, I will investigate a connection between Samuel Beckett's television play "Quad" and Dante's
"Divine Trilogy" that poses a very deep and hard combinatorial question about Gray Codes.
Math Colloquium #1
Date: Wednesday September 28 from 11:30AM - 12:30PM
Speaker: Dr. Moore
Topic: Mathematical Paradoxes
Abstract: Set theory is the underpining of all of mathematics and Cantor's work on the subject opened up a rich theory. When paradoxes
were first brought to light, they caused some consternation and the free and easy way of looking at sets had to be replaced by a more
rigourous approach. We will look at various paradoxes and see how they can be avoided by taking more care in how we work with sets and
classes of objects.
Math Colloquium #2
Date: Wednesday October 19 from 11:30AM - 12:30PM
Speaker: Dr. Bondar
Topic: The Pigeonhole Principle: Pigeons, Prime Numbers and Old Socks: What do they have in common?
Abstract: It is often said that the best mathematics starts with very simple ideas. This is true of the pigeonhole principle which we first
encounter as a riddle which can be solved by elementary school students. The applications of this simple principle lead in many directions:
graph theory, the behaviour of billiards balls, prime numbers, ... Some of these applications are deep and difficult and others are light and
entertaining puzzles. We shall spend most of our time with the latter.
Math Colloquium #3
Date: Wednesday November 9 from 11:30AM - 12:30PM
Speaker: Dr. Amundsen
Panel Discussion
Date: Wednesday November 23 from 11:30AM - 12:30PM
Speakers: Dr. Mezo, Dr. Nielsen, Dr. Panario, Dr. Stevens, and David Thomson
Topic: Honours projects, NSERC grants, and other questions pertinent to honours math undergrads.
Details: Free lunch provided!!!
Workshop on Presentations
Date: Monday November 28 from 4:30PM - 5:30PM
Speaker: Jason Crann
Topic: How to make a good presentation.
Math Colloquium #4
Date: Tuesday February 14 from 10:30AM - 11:30AM
Speaker: Dr. Matt Kennedy
Topic: TBA
Math Colloquium #5
Date: Tuesday March 6 from 10:30AM - 11:30AM
Speaker: Dr. Paul Mezo
Topic: A glimps at the foundations
Abstract: Occasionally, after completing an arduous proof, one wonders whether the proof is truly complete.
Where does the chain of justifications end? What are the fundamental truths of mathematics itself? When
confronted with such questions, most mathematicians say something about set theory and perhaps refer to the axioms
known as ZFC. We will explore these ideas and dissect a few axioms. Anyone who knows (or once knew!) the definition
of a vector space should be able to understand this presentation.
Click here for David Thomson's slides on cryptography.
Click here for Dr. Gary Mullen's slides on sudokus.
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