Center for Applied Mathematics begins spring 2007 colloquium series Wednesday
The Center for Applied Mathematics Spring 2007 Colloquium Series is intended to introduce the University of St. Thomas community to a variety of problems, careers and professional activities involving applications of mathematics. All presentations will begin with refreshments at 2:45 p.m. followed by the presentation at 3 p.m. (exception: March 6 colloquium, which begins at 7:30 p.m.) in 3M Auditorium, Owens Science Hall.
The first talk in the CAM Colloquium Series, titled "Patterns Far From Equilibrium," will be presented by Dr. Arnd Scheel of the University of Minnesota on Wednesday, Feb. 21.
"Equilibrium is the most natural state" – Aristotle and later Boltzman taught that all physical systems eventually come to rest, the most likely state. Yet, every day the most unlikely patterns are encountered: marvelous patterns on animal coats, sand ripples, snowflakes, or the regular beating of your heart. Scheel will show in a few examples how simple and sophisticated mathematics can help explain why the world sometimes is simple – and sometimes wonderfully complex.
Mark your calendar for these upcoming CAM colloquiums:
- March 6, "Algebraic Statistics for Computational Biology," Dr. Bernd Sturmfels, University of California-Berkeley, the only colloquium in the series that begins at 7:30 p.m.
- March 14, "The Square Peg Problem," Dr. Jason Cantarella, University of Georgia
- April 11, "Dynamics of Potassium Channels in the Action Potential," Sean Ewen '07, University of St. Thomas
- May 2, "Future Health Insurance Costs – An Actuarial Perspective," Eric Barrette, University of Minnesota , and Nancy Barker Walczak, senior consultant at Reden and Anders.
For more information, call (651) 962-5524 or visit the Center for Applied Mathematics Web site.
