Date: Wednesday April 20, 2005

Time: 11:00am-11:50am

Location: Robinson 324

Speakers: Dr. Karen Clark, Department Mathematics, The College of New Jersey

Topic: Effective Conductivity Functions for Composite Materials

Abstract: This talk will summarize some well-known bounds for effective conductivity functions for a composite of two pure materials. A linear fractional transformation will be introduced that allows bounds to be narrowed as more known information about the functional behavior of the effective conductivity is incorporated.

Date: Thursday April 14, 2005

Time: 3:15pm-4:05pm

Location: Robinson 310

Speakers: Dr. Abdul Hassen, Department Mathematics, Rowan University

Topic: More hypergeometric zeta functions

Abstract:
This is the continuation of the talk given by Dr. Hieu Nguyen on the topic. We begin by a review of the main properties of the Riemann’s Zeta function and (re)introduce the Hypergeometric Zeta Functions. We will consider further properties of these functions and talk about the zeros of

Date: Wednesday April 6, 2005

Time: 11:00am-11:50am

Location: Robinson 324

Speakers: Eduardo V. Flores, Department of Physics & Astronomy, Rowan University

Topic: Einstein's Cosmological Constant

In this talk we will present the main concepts needed to derive the "Standard Model" in cosmology. We will look at the reason why Einstein introduced the cosmological constant and why he said latter that this was the major blunder of his career. Today, the cosmological constant plays a major in the dynamics of cosmology. Some physical effects of the cosmological constant will be considered.

Speaker: Dr. John Hasse and Dr. Richard Scott (Rowan anthropology and geography), and Dr. Chris Lacke

Date/Time: March 31, 2005 @ 3:15-4:05

Location: Robinson 310

Topic: Networks, Geographical Information Systems and Mathematics

Network analysis has a wide variety of applications, including geography. Drs. Hasse and Scott will provide an introduction to Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and show how GIS software can be use to determine optimal routes in a complex network. Dr. Lacke will then describe the mathematics behind some of the algorithms used to find the "shortest" path(s) in a network. The mathematics used in this presentation is at the level of discrete mathematics, so the talk is appropriate for all levels.

Note: The Department of Anthropology and Geography offers a concentration in GIS. Some recent math majors have completed this concentration and found jobs related to this field. Math, CS, and Engineering majors who are looking for a minor would be well served to consider this concentration. Please come to the seminar and learn more about the bridge between all of these fields.

Date: Wednesday, March 23, 2005

Time: 11:00am-11:50am

Location: Robinson 324 (3rd floor Robinson)

Speaker: Dr. Rajan Naik (Rowan University)

Title: Line Graphs of Graphs and HyperGraphs

Abstract: This will be a short survey on Line Graphs of Graphs and HyperGraphs. It will cover materila beginning with Krausz type characterizaion (1943) to almost all known results. I will also discuss my contibutions to this area and developments done later by others.

Speaker: Dr. Ed Sandifer (Western connecticut State University)

Date/Time: March 10, 2005 @ 3:15 -4:05 PM

Location: Robinson 310

Title: Euler's Proof of Fermat's little Theorem

Speaker: Dr. Marvin Knopp (Temple University

Date/Time: March 3, 2005 @ 3:15-4:05 PM

Location: Robinson 310

Title: On the signs of Fourier coefficients of cusp forms

Speaker: Dr. Tom Osler

Date/Time: February 17th, 2005 @ 3:15 -4:05 PM

Location: Robinson 310

Title: What is Student Research, and How Do You Get Started?

This talk is for students and faculty who are interested in student research. I will discuss my experience in working with students and publishing joint papers with them in an assortment of expository journals. I will show how I find appropriate projects, and also what topics to avoid. I encourage all students interested in an unusual research challenge to attend this talk, as well as faculty who are thinking about sponsoring student research.

The final Fall mathematics colloquium.

Date:12/01/04

Time: 11:00-11:50 AM

Location: Robinson 324

Speaker: Dr. Marcus Wright (Rowan Math)

Title:

THEON’S LADDER FOR
ERECTING, ASCENDING, DESCENDING, SHOWING WHY IT LEADS WHERE IT LEADS
(Is this a fixed point I see before me?)

Theon’s ladder, also known as the Babylonian ladder, is an ancient algorithm for calculating rational approximations for . It features two columns of integers, (called a ladder), in which the ratio of the two numbers in each row is an approximation to . It is remarkable for its simplicity, as all calculations are linear.. This algorithm can easily be generalized to find rational approximations to any square root. In this talk we will investigate how Theon’s original method can be generalized for the calculation of any root, , where 1< c. In the generalization given here we require n columns of numbers as we generate rational approximations to an n th root. All calculations with again be linear and in fact matrices can be helpful, but not essential in defining the process. Continuing to pursue a theme eloquently and enthusiastically developed by Dr. Frank Swenton in his talk a few weeks ago, we will show how the concept of a fixed point can be used to understand Theon’s ladder.

This talk will be self-contained and elementary, and most of it can be understood by students who know some discrete mathematics and calculus. A little bit a linear algebra (matrices and eigenvalues) will enter into the discussion at a late stage.

Date: Wednesday, November 24, 2004

Time: 11:00am-11:50am

Location: Robinson 324 (3rd floor Robinson)

Speaker: Dr.Yassar Sozen (Rowan University)

Date: Wednesday, November 17, 2004

Time: 11:00am-11:50am

Location: Robinson 324 (3rd floor Robinson)

Speaker: Prof. Jay Schiffman (Rowan University- Camden)

Title: AMAZING NUMBER THEORETIC FACTS

Abstract: Contributions to the theory of numbers have included both
professional and amateur mathematicians. In this talk, we will view a
dash of anecdotal history, a touch of humor, a sprinkling of obscure yet
remarkable tidbits, and a brief journey into a sea of some fascinating
unsolved problems in the field all in one tidy package. The presentation
will be self contained so that no previous knowledge of the discipline
is required.

Date: Wednesday, November 10, 2004

Time: 1:45 PM - 2:45 PM

Location: Robinson 310 (3rd floor Robinson)

Speaker: Dr. Frank Swenton (Middlebury College / Princeton University)

Title: Fractals and fixed points

This talk deals with some very visual mathematics. It should be of
interest to both lower-level and upper-level students as well as
faculty.

Date: Wednesday, November 3, 2004

Time: 11:00am-11:50 noon

Location: Robinson 324 (3rd floor Robinson)

Speaker: Dr. Chris Simons (Rowan University - Mathematics )

Title: Fibonacci Imposters Done Right

Abstract:
In this elementary talk, we start with the well-known Fibonacci
sequence and search out so-called Fibonacci Imposters. On our journey
we will discover several fascinating and less well-known recursive
properties. One of the highlights will be a beautiful proof that a
positive integer x is a Fibonacci number if and only if at least one of
5x^2 - 4 or 5 x^2 + 4 is a square.

Background:

This talk should be accessible to students who have taken or are
currently taking discrete mathematics (or more advanced courses).

Date: 10/27/04

Time: 11:00am-11:50am

Location: Robinson 324

Speaker: Behailu Mammo (Temple University)

Title: On the Number of Abelian Extentions of a Number Field

Time: 11:10am-12:00 noon

Location: Robinson 324 (3rd floor Robinson)

Speaker: Dr. Ranjan Naik (Rowan Math)

Title: Graph theory, degree sequences and frequency partitions

Abstract: I will talk on the basics of graph theory and then move onto some open problems in graph realizations (degree sequences and frequency partitions) in conjunction with some well-known results.

Dr. Naik is a new full-time member of the Mathematics department at Rowan University. Please join us in welcoming him to the department.

Time: 4:00pm-4:40pm

Location: Math conference room (3rd floor Robinson)

Speaker: Dr. Tom Osler (Rowan University - Mathematics)

Title: The General Vieta-Wallis Product for Pi

Abstract:

Vietas' famous product and Wallis' product are both special cases of a
very general formula.

Background: Suitable for junior and senior math majors.

Date: Wednesday, September 29, 2004,

Time: 11am

Location: Robinson 324

Speaker: Hieu D. Nguyen

Title: Hypergeometric Zeta Functions

Abstract:

In 1859 Bernhard Riemann wrote a paper on the distribution of prime
numbers that revolutionized the field of number theory. In it he
develops entirely new methods for studying the zeta function based on
complex integration theory
(http://mathworld.wolfram.com/RiemannZetaFunction.html). In
addition, he briefly mentions a conjecture regarding the nontrivial
zeros of the zeta function. This conjecture, famously known as the
Riemann Hypothesis, remains unsolved to this day
(http://www.claymath.org/millennium/Riemann_Hypothesis/).

In my talk I will present some of Riemann's results on the zeta
function and then discuss a generalization of zeta based on one of his
integral formulas. This generalization leads to a family of
higher-order 'hypergeometric' zeta functions. I will present some
analytical and combinatorial properties of these functions based on my
preliminary work and make comparisons with Riemann's zeta function.

Background:

The first half of my talk is intended to be accessible to undergraduate
students possessing a background in first-year calculus, especially
integration and infinite series, and a basic understanding of complex
numbers and complex functions. The second half of the talk will require
students to be familiar with contour integration and residues (complex
analysis).

Date: Wednesday, September 22, 2004

Time: 11:00 AM-11:50 AM

Location: Robinson 324

Speaker(s): Dr. Yasar Sozen (Rowan University-Math Department)

Topic: Teichmuller space of a Hyperbolic surface and Geodesic Laminations

Abstract : For a compact (orientable) surface, there are three main
geometries: Spherical, Euclidean, and Hyperbolic. In this talk, we will consider only
compact (orientable) hyperbolic surfaces i.e. sphere with at least two handles attached.
We will describe the Teicmuller space of a fixed hyperbolic surface. Through examples,
we will also explain one of the main tools of low dimensional geometry/topology, namely
geodesic laminations. The talk will end by stating a few observations. We would like to
reach as many people as possible, so we rated the talk as E for Everybody .

Date: Wednesday, September 15, 2004

Time: 11:00 AM-11:50 AM

Location: Robinson 324

Speaker(s): Dr. Karen Heinz (Rowan University-Math Department)

Topic: Considering Students' Understandings as a Basis for Teacher Decision Making

Abstract:

What are my students' understandings of fraction? ratio? arithmetic
mean? variable? function? limit? derivative? What understandings would I
like them to have? In what ways can considering students' understandings
be useful to me as I plan and implement lessons designed to teach
students mathematics they do not already know? During this seminar,
aspects of these issues will be explored. One domain of mathematics
education research consists of
characterizing useful ways to think about students' mathematics
conceptions and postulating how they are similar to and differ from the
mathematics
concepts as understood by mathematics experts. During this seminar, I
will share examples from this type of research.

Dr. Heinz is the newest tenure-track member of the mathematics
faculty. Her specialty is mathematics education. Please join us in
welcoming her.

Speaker:  Mike Orchard
Date & Time :  Thursday, October 30th,
Location: Math Conference Room, 3rd Floor Robinson

Title: Theon's ladder or Cube Roots and Beyond

All Students & Faculty  were welcome

AGENDA:  ELECTION OF OFFICER PLANNING FOR SEMESTER

MOVIE- "INSIDE OUT"

Speaker: Todd Pelletier
Date & Time: Thursday, October 16, @ 3:15
Location: Math Conference Room

Title: The Partition Funciton and its Extension to Gaussian Intergers

All students and faculty are welcome

A background in series from Calculus 2 is helpful.