Proposals
Below are some proposals for talks from the past (and current). By clicking on the ID number, more details are shown. By default, these are sorted chronologically (recent first) and by then by last name. The data can be sorted by alternate means by using the links at the top right, each allowing ascending or descending orders.
Displaying 141-160 of 471 results.
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ID:
429
Year: 2015
Name: Mariah Birgen
Institution: Wartburg College
Subject area(s): Analysis
Title of Talk: How to I keep track of classroom behavior in my IBL Classroom
Abstract: I have been teaching IBL in my upper level classes for several years now, but have struggled with keeping track of participation during class. I want to give my students credit for quality questions and answers, but sometimes (often) things go so fast, or I am so involved with the argumentation, that I can't write things down quickly. Each class starts with the best of intentions, but . . . Today I am going to talk about one nearly fool-proof method that I have discovered that works for me, along with some other ideas that I haven't course-tested, but have strong potential.
Year: 2015
Name: Mariah Birgen
Institution: Wartburg College
Subject area(s): Analysis
Title of Talk: How to I keep track of classroom behavior in my IBL Classroom
Abstract: I have been teaching IBL in my upper level classes for several years now, but have struggled with keeping track of participation during class. I want to give my students credit for quality questions and answers, but sometimes (often) things go so fast, or I am so involved with the argumentation, that I can't write things down quickly. Each class starts with the best of intentions, but . . . Today I am going to talk about one nearly fool-proof method that I have discovered that works for me, along with some other ideas that I haven't course-tested, but have strong potential.
ID:
428
Year: 2015
Name: Christine Caples
Institution: University of Iowa
Subject area(s): Knot Theory
Title of Talk: Tangle Classification
Abstract: A knot can be thought of as a knotted piece of string with the ends glued together. A tangle is formed by intersecting a knot with a 3-dimensional ball. The portion of the knot in the interior of the ball along with the fixed intersection points on the surface of the ball form the tangle. Tangles can be used to model protein-DNA binding, so another way to think of a tangle is in terms of segments of DNA (the strings) bounded by the protein complex (the 3-dimensional ball). Like knots, the same tangle can be represented by multiple diagrams which are equivalent under deformations (no cutting or gluing allowed). A tangle invariant is a value that is the same for equivalent tangles. Tangles can be classified into families which allows one to study properties of tangles that may be useful for solving tangle equations. This talk will be an introduction to knot theory and will investigate how tangle invariants can be used to classify tangles.
Year: 2015
Name: Christine Caples
Institution: University of Iowa
Subject area(s): Knot Theory
Title of Talk: Tangle Classification
Abstract: A knot can be thought of as a knotted piece of string with the ends glued together. A tangle is formed by intersecting a knot with a 3-dimensional ball. The portion of the knot in the interior of the ball along with the fixed intersection points on the surface of the ball form the tangle. Tangles can be used to model protein-DNA binding, so another way to think of a tangle is in terms of segments of DNA (the strings) bounded by the protein complex (the 3-dimensional ball). Like knots, the same tangle can be represented by multiple diagrams which are equivalent under deformations (no cutting or gluing allowed). A tangle invariant is a value that is the same for equivalent tangles. Tangles can be classified into families which allows one to study properties of tangles that may be useful for solving tangle equations. This talk will be an introduction to knot theory and will investigate how tangle invariants can be used to classify tangles.
ID:
427
Year: 2015
Name: Julia Walk
Institution: University of Iowa
Subject area(s): Mathematical Biology
Title of Talk: Building a Model of the Effects of Multiple Myeloma on Kidney Function
Abstract: Multiple myeloma is a type of plasma cell cancer associated with many health challenges, including damage to the kidney. When a patient's kidneys are damaged, waste builds up in the bloodstream and the body begins to shut down. We would like to model what happens as the cancer affects the proximal tubule cells in the kidney, to eventually create a model that doctors can use as a predictive tool to catch problems early. We will explore an initial model that captures the biology of the interaction between kidney cells and proteins produced by the myeloma cells. The discussion will emphasize the development of the model using power law approximations in a system of ODEs.
Year: 2015
Name: Julia Walk
Institution: University of Iowa
Subject area(s): Mathematical Biology
Title of Talk: Building a Model of the Effects of Multiple Myeloma on Kidney Function
Abstract: Multiple myeloma is a type of plasma cell cancer associated with many health challenges, including damage to the kidney. When a patient's kidneys are damaged, waste builds up in the bloodstream and the body begins to shut down. We would like to model what happens as the cancer affects the proximal tubule cells in the kidney, to eventually create a model that doctors can use as a predictive tool to catch problems early. We will explore an initial model that captures the biology of the interaction between kidney cells and proteins produced by the myeloma cells. The discussion will emphasize the development of the model using power law approximations in a system of ODEs.
ID:
426
Year: 2015
Name: Kristopher Lee
Institution: Iowa State University
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: MATH 106X: A New Course at Iowa State
Abstract: Last year, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Iowa State approved the creation of an inquiry-based mathematics course for the liberal arts. The course has begun this semester, and I will discuss my experience as the faithful guide to the intrepid explorers who so bravely signed up for this journey to discover mathematics.
Year: 2015
Name: Kristopher Lee
Institution: Iowa State University
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: MATH 106X: A New Course at Iowa State
Abstract: Last year, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Iowa State approved the creation of an inquiry-based mathematics course for the liberal arts. The course has begun this semester, and I will discuss my experience as the faithful guide to the intrepid explorers who so bravely signed up for this journey to discover mathematics.
ID:
425
Year: 2015
Name: Jonas Meyer
Institution: Loras College
Subject area(s): Education, Math problem solving, Networking
Title of Talk: Starting a Math Teachers' Circle in Dubuque
Abstract: Math Teachers' Circles are "professional communities centered on mathematics," in which professors and middle school math teachers come together to solve mathematics problems, discuss teaching, and more. The presenter worked with colleagues in Dubuque to start a Math Teachers' Circle this year. He'll provide an overview of what MTCs are, then discuss our Circle, including what we've done so far, our hopes for the near future, and examples of some of the problems and activities we've done.
Year: 2015
Name: Jonas Meyer
Institution: Loras College
Subject area(s): Education, Math problem solving, Networking
Title of Talk: Starting a Math Teachers' Circle in Dubuque
Abstract: Math Teachers' Circles are "professional communities centered on mathematics," in which professors and middle school math teachers come together to solve mathematics problems, discuss teaching, and more. The presenter worked with colleagues in Dubuque to start a Math Teachers' Circle this year. He'll provide an overview of what MTCs are, then discuss our Circle, including what we've done so far, our hopes for the near future, and examples of some of the problems and activities we've done.
ID:
423
Year: 2015
Name: Matt Rissler
Institution: Loras College
Subject area(s): Sports Analytics
Title of Talk: Another College Football Ranking
Abstract: Anyone who has followed D1A college football in the last two decades is aware that there computer rankings and probably has opinions on them. In this talk we will discuss my ranking which is a tweak of the Colley Matrix method, one of the former BCS rankings. My ranking uses a little bit of discrete probability, linear algebra, graph theory, and stochastic systems to arrive at its results.
Year: 2015
Name: Matt Rissler
Institution: Loras College
Subject area(s): Sports Analytics
Title of Talk: Another College Football Ranking
Abstract: Anyone who has followed D1A college football in the last two decades is aware that there computer rankings and probably has opinions on them. In this talk we will discuss my ranking which is a tweak of the Colley Matrix method, one of the former BCS rankings. My ranking uses a little bit of discrete probability, linear algebra, graph theory, and stochastic systems to arrive at its results.
ID:
422
Year: 2015
Name: Susan Crook
Institution: Loras College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Researching in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
Abstract: This summer I attended an MAA minicourse focused on beginning to research in the area of scholarship of teaching and learning and would like to disseminate some of this basic information to our section. Several of the Iowa section schools use Boyer's model of scholarship, which includes SoTL, to evaluate scholarship for tenure and promotion. In this talk, I will give a brief overview of how SoTL research is structured and point to many references for faculty looking to begin research in this area.
Year: 2015
Name: Susan Crook
Institution: Loras College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Researching in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
Abstract: This summer I attended an MAA minicourse focused on beginning to research in the area of scholarship of teaching and learning and would like to disseminate some of this basic information to our section. Several of the Iowa section schools use Boyer's model of scholarship, which includes SoTL, to evaluate scholarship for tenure and promotion. In this talk, I will give a brief overview of how SoTL research is structured and point to many references for faculty looking to begin research in this area.
ID:
421
Year: 2015
Name: Marc Chamberland
Institution: Grinnell College
Subject area(s): general, educational
Title of Talk: Popularizing Mathematics with YouTube
Abstract: How is mathematics being popularized with YouTube? We show various math channels, including the speaker's channel Tipping Point Math, and explain what goes into making such videos.
Year: 2015
Name: Marc Chamberland
Institution: Grinnell College
Subject area(s): general, educational
Title of Talk: Popularizing Mathematics with YouTube
Abstract: How is mathematics being popularized with YouTube? We show various math channels, including the speaker's channel Tipping Point Math, and explain what goes into making such videos.
ID:
420
Year: 2015
Name: Angela Kohlhaas
Institution: Loras College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Using Math to Create Music
Abstract: In this talk I will present some of the activities my students engaged in and compositions they created in the math of music portion of my January-term course at Loras College. We will apply fractals to musical form, modular arithmetic to chords, transposition, and serialism, and function transformations to counterpoint. No musical background is needed for this talk.
Year: 2015
Name: Angela Kohlhaas
Institution: Loras College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Using Math to Create Music
Abstract: In this talk I will present some of the activities my students engaged in and compositions they created in the math of music portion of my January-term course at Loras College. We will apply fractals to musical form, modular arithmetic to chords, transposition, and serialism, and function transformations to counterpoint. No musical background is needed for this talk.
ID:
419
Year: 2015
Name: Sean Bradley
Institution: Clarke University
Subject area(s): Teaching Statistics
Title of Talk: Intro Stats Project: Handwriting and Gender
Abstract: Can you tell the gender of a writer from a sample of handwriting? A simple survey leads provides perhaps surprising answers. The resulting data set proves unexpectedly rich in terms of the number of questions students can ask. Most of the questions are suitable for a first course in statistics for a general audience. (Side questions: Many math departments are asked to teach elementary statistic courses. Is this math? Should it be?)
Year: 2015
Name: Sean Bradley
Institution: Clarke University
Subject area(s): Teaching Statistics
Title of Talk: Intro Stats Project: Handwriting and Gender
Abstract: Can you tell the gender of a writer from a sample of handwriting? A simple survey leads provides perhaps surprising answers. The resulting data set proves unexpectedly rich in terms of the number of questions students can ask. Most of the questions are suitable for a first course in statistics for a general audience. (Side questions: Many math departments are asked to teach elementary statistic courses. Is this math? Should it be?)
ID:
418
Year: 2015
Name: Kevin Gerstle
Institution: University of Iowa
Subject area(s): Algebra
Title of Talk: Algebras and Coalgebras
Abstract: While algebra is widely recognized as an important branch of mathematics, most people do not know how the objects called algebras play a vital role in our understanding of many commonly used number systems such as the real and complex numbers. In addition, the dual notion of coalgebras give us a way to introduce a new type of structure to these systems allowing us novel, exciting ways to talk about numbers. In this talk, we will explore the interplay between algebras and coalgebras, and I will show what information these algebraic structures give us about some of our favorite number systems.
Year: 2015
Name: Kevin Gerstle
Institution: University of Iowa
Subject area(s): Algebra
Title of Talk: Algebras and Coalgebras
Abstract: While algebra is widely recognized as an important branch of mathematics, most people do not know how the objects called algebras play a vital role in our understanding of many commonly used number systems such as the real and complex numbers. In addition, the dual notion of coalgebras give us a way to introduce a new type of structure to these systems allowing us novel, exciting ways to talk about numbers. In this talk, we will explore the interplay between algebras and coalgebras, and I will show what information these algebraic structures give us about some of our favorite number systems.
ID:
417
Year: 2015
Name: Catherine Patterson
Institution: University of Iowa
Subject area(s): Mathematical biology, applied math, modeling
Title of Talk: Modeling the Effects of Multiple Myeloma Bone Disease
Abstract: Cancer is a lot like a hurricane; you can see it coming, but you don't know exactly where it will go or how much damage it will do. However, by combining a mathematical model with patient data, we can make predictions about the development of a patient's cancer. My research focuses on multiple myeloma, a plasma cell cancer that disrupts the bone remodeling process. In multiple myeloma patients, bone destruction outpaces bone replacement, producing bone lesions. This talk will describe the cell dynamics that regulate bone remodeling and explain how they are impacted by multiple myeloma. I will then discuss techniques used to model this system, including Savageau's power law approximations.
Year: 2015
Name: Catherine Patterson
Institution: University of Iowa
Subject area(s): Mathematical biology, applied math, modeling
Title of Talk: Modeling the Effects of Multiple Myeloma Bone Disease
Abstract: Cancer is a lot like a hurricane; you can see it coming, but you don't know exactly where it will go or how much damage it will do. However, by combining a mathematical model with patient data, we can make predictions about the development of a patient's cancer. My research focuses on multiple myeloma, a plasma cell cancer that disrupts the bone remodeling process. In multiple myeloma patients, bone destruction outpaces bone replacement, producing bone lesions. This talk will describe the cell dynamics that regulate bone remodeling and explain how they are impacted by multiple myeloma. I will then discuss techniques used to model this system, including Savageau's power law approximations.
ID:
412
Year: 2014
Name: Jonas Meyer
Institution: Loras College
Subject area(s): functional analysis, complex variables
Title of Talk: Interplay between function theory and Hilbert space
Abstract: Some classic results in Hilbert space theory are best described through the lens of functions of a complex variable, and vice versa. This survey talk will focus on some examples of that interplay, including how invariant subspaces of some operators on Hilbert space can be described using complex functions, and how Hilbert space theory can be used to prove results on interpolation with analytic functions.
Year: 2014
Name: Jonas Meyer
Institution: Loras College
Subject area(s): functional analysis, complex variables
Title of Talk: Interplay between function theory and Hilbert space
Abstract: Some classic results in Hilbert space theory are best described through the lens of functions of a complex variable, and vice versa. This survey talk will focus on some examples of that interplay, including how invariant subspaces of some operators on Hilbert space can be described using complex functions, and how Hilbert space theory can be used to prove results on interpolation with analytic functions.
ID:
411
Year: 2014
Name: Riley Burkart
Institution: Central College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: History of the Iowa Section of the MAA
Abstract: The history of the Iowa Section stretches back to 1915, even predating the foundation of the Mathematical Association of America by a month. In this talk, the speaker will present his research on the history of the Iowa Section from its origin to the present, examining the trends and changes in the organization.
Year: 2014
Name: Riley Burkart
Institution: Central College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: History of the Iowa Section of the MAA
Abstract: The history of the Iowa Section stretches back to 1915, even predating the foundation of the Mathematical Association of America by a month. In this talk, the speaker will present his research on the history of the Iowa Section from its origin to the present, examining the trends and changes in the organization.
ID:
410
Year: 2014
Name: Jennifer Good
Institution: University of Iowa
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: What did J.S. Bach know about fractals?
Abstract: The mathematical term 'fractal', coined in the late 20th century, is used to describe detailed mathematical objects with certain repeating patterns. Bach's 3rd cello suite, composed 250 years earlier, contains evidence of a fractal embedded in one of its movements. Come learn about fractals as we see (and hear) how one appears in this famous piece of music!
Year: 2014
Name: Jennifer Good
Institution: University of Iowa
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: What did J.S. Bach know about fractals?
Abstract: The mathematical term 'fractal', coined in the late 20th century, is used to describe detailed mathematical objects with certain repeating patterns. Bach's 3rd cello suite, composed 250 years earlier, contains evidence of a fractal embedded in one of its movements. Come learn about fractals as we see (and hear) how one appears in this famous piece of music!
ID:
409
Year: 2014
Name: Angela Kohlhaas
Institution: Loras College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Patterns and Perspective: Math in Art and Music
Abstract: During January term at Loras College, we offer various courses which fulfill our mathematical modeling general education requirement as well as our experiential learning J-term requirement. I designed a course in this category which investigates mathematical reasoning underlying perspective art and musical compositions. I will discuss the class structure, activities, and assignments I plan to use when teaching it this January.
Year: 2014
Name: Angela Kohlhaas
Institution: Loras College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Patterns and Perspective: Math in Art and Music
Abstract: During January term at Loras College, we offer various courses which fulfill our mathematical modeling general education requirement as well as our experiential learning J-term requirement. I designed a course in this category which investigates mathematical reasoning underlying perspective art and musical compositions. I will discuss the class structure, activities, and assignments I plan to use when teaching it this January.
ID:
408
Year: 2014
Name: Matt Rissler
Institution: Loras College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Adding Context to Calculus
Abstract: This semester in Calculus I, my students have been doing weekly assignments to help provide them with context for the mathematics they are learning in the rest of the course. These assignments have investigated connections to historical and present day developments in mathematics, as well as to the utility of calculus for problem-solving in students' current lives and future careers. I will discuss what assignments I have done/will do and how students have responded to them.
Year: 2014
Name: Matt Rissler
Institution: Loras College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Adding Context to Calculus
Abstract: This semester in Calculus I, my students have been doing weekly assignments to help provide them with context for the mathematics they are learning in the rest of the course. These assignments have investigated connections to historical and present day developments in mathematics, as well as to the utility of calculus for problem-solving in students' current lives and future careers. I will discuss what assignments I have done/will do and how students have responded to them.
ID:
407
Year: 2014
Name: Kenneth Driessel
Institution: Iowa State University
Subject area(s): economics, ordinary differential equations
Title of Talk: Business cycles and predator-prey ordinary differential equations
Abstract: Richard M. Goodwin (1913-1996) was an American mathematician and economist. During most of his career he taught at the University of Cambridge. Goodwin studied economic growth and the business cycle. In 1967 he published a paper with title "A Growth Cycle". In this paper he described an economic model consisting of two nonlinear first order ordinary differential equations that exhibits cyclic behavior. This system is similar to the well-known system of predator-prey equations of Lotka and Volterra. Goodwin seems to have had mixed opinions about his system. He writes (in 1967): "Presented here is a starkly schematized and hence quite unrealistic model of cycles in growth rates." He also writes (in 1972): "[These assumptions] were chosen because they represent, in my opinion, the most essential dynamic aspects of capitalism; furthermore, they are factually based, to the order of accuracy implicit in such a model." In this talk, I shall present my version of Goodwin's growth cycle system.
Year: 2014
Name: Kenneth Driessel
Institution: Iowa State University
Subject area(s): economics, ordinary differential equations
Title of Talk: Business cycles and predator-prey ordinary differential equations
Abstract: Richard M. Goodwin (1913-1996) was an American mathematician and economist. During most of his career he taught at the University of Cambridge. Goodwin studied economic growth and the business cycle. In 1967 he published a paper with title "A Growth Cycle". In this paper he described an economic model consisting of two nonlinear first order ordinary differential equations that exhibits cyclic behavior. This system is similar to the well-known system of predator-prey equations of Lotka and Volterra. Goodwin seems to have had mixed opinions about his system. He writes (in 1967): "Presented here is a starkly schematized and hence quite unrealistic model of cycles in growth rates." He also writes (in 1972): "[These assumptions] were chosen because they represent, in my opinion, the most essential dynamic aspects of capitalism; furthermore, they are factually based, to the order of accuracy implicit in such a model." In this talk, I shall present my version of Goodwin's growth cycle system.
ID:
406
Year: 2014
Name: Mike Johnson
Institution: Luther College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Missing Avalanche Sizes in the 1 dimensional sandpile model
Abstract: The one-dimensional sandpile model has many interesting connections with number theory. When looking at the size of sandpile avalanches, powers of 2 seem to be mysteriously absent. Using a trough model, we classify avalanches into two categories. The size of each type can be described as either a sum of consecutive integers or a product of two integers with controlled sum. Since powers of two cannot be written as a sum of two or more consecutive positive integers, this explains why powers of two are not common avalanche sizes. We then estimate the minimal sandpile length required to find an avalanche of a given size.
Year: 2014
Name: Mike Johnson
Institution: Luther College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Missing Avalanche Sizes in the 1 dimensional sandpile model
Abstract: The one-dimensional sandpile model has many interesting connections with number theory. When looking at the size of sandpile avalanches, powers of 2 seem to be mysteriously absent. Using a trough model, we classify avalanches into two categories. The size of each type can be described as either a sum of consecutive integers or a product of two integers with controlled sum. Since powers of two cannot be written as a sum of two or more consecutive positive integers, this explains why powers of two are not common avalanche sizes. We then estimate the minimal sandpile length required to find an avalanche of a given size.
ID:
405
Year: 2014
Name: Ruth Berger
Institution: Luther College
Subject area(s): Geometry
Title of Talk: Conic Sections in Grid City
Abstract: I will present some word problems that can be used at the high school level, or with pre-service teachers, to make students think about the definition of distance and the definitions of the figures known as conic sections in Euclidean Geometry. These real-world problems about distance measurement on a city grid introduce students to Taxicab geometry, an easily accessible topic that can lead to thought provoking questions at many different levels.
Year: 2014
Name: Ruth Berger
Institution: Luther College
Subject area(s): Geometry
Title of Talk: Conic Sections in Grid City
Abstract: I will present some word problems that can be used at the high school level, or with pre-service teachers, to make students think about the definition of distance and the definitions of the figures known as conic sections in Euclidean Geometry. These real-world problems about distance measurement on a city grid introduce students to Taxicab geometry, an easily accessible topic that can lead to thought provoking questions at many different levels.