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 401-420 of 471 results.
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ID:
335
Year: 2012
Name: Rick Spellerberg
Institution: Simpson College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Sabbatical Leave, the Perfect Time to Mentor Undergraduates in Research.
Abstract: During my previous and now current sabbatical I have involved undergraduates in my research activities. I included my intentions in my sabbatical applications and this fact I firmly believe strengthened my proposals. This talk will focus on the strategies I have employed in involving students in my work and the subsequent outcomes.
Year: 2012
Name: Rick Spellerberg
Institution: Simpson College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Sabbatical Leave, the Perfect Time to Mentor Undergraduates in Research.
Abstract: During my previous and now current sabbatical I have involved undergraduates in my research activities. I included my intentions in my sabbatical applications and this fact I firmly believe strengthened my proposals. This talk will focus on the strategies I have employed in involving students in my work and the subsequent outcomes.
ID:
127
Year: 2005
Name: Rick Spellerberg
Institution: Simpson College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: The Evolution of Cooperation
Abstract: This talk will present some of the basic concepts of Evolutionary Game Theory as we discuss models related to the evolution of cooperation. This talk should be of special interest to students or faculty interested in undergraduate research in mathematics. Included will be a preview of a few of the student presentations related to the topic that will be presented at the second annual Midwest Undergraduate Mathematics Symposium held at Simpson College April 9th.
Year: 2005
Name: Rick Spellerberg
Institution: Simpson College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: The Evolution of Cooperation
Abstract: This talk will present some of the basic concepts of Evolutionary Game Theory as we discuss models related to the evolution of cooperation. This talk should be of special interest to students or faculty interested in undergraduate research in mathematics. Included will be a preview of a few of the student presentations related to the topic that will be presented at the second annual Midwest Undergraduate Mathematics Symposium held at Simpson College April 9th.
ID:
169
Year: 2006
Name: Rick Spellerberg
Institution: Simpson College
Subject area(s): Biology / Mathematics
Title of Talk: Sperm Competition Games
Abstract: Sperm Competition occurs when ejaculates of multiple males compete to fertilize the eggs of one female. In this talk we will discuss the work of G.A. Parker in his paper; Sperm Competition: sneaks and extra-pair copulations. In this paper, Parker examines ejaculation strategies for cases when an opportunist male "steals" a mating with the female of a paired male.
Year: 2006
Name: Rick Spellerberg
Institution: Simpson College
Subject area(s): Biology / Mathematics
Title of Talk: Sperm Competition Games
Abstract: Sperm Competition occurs when ejaculates of multiple males compete to fertilize the eggs of one female. In this talk we will discuss the work of G.A. Parker in his paper; Sperm Competition: sneaks and extra-pair copulations. In this paper, Parker examines ejaculation strategies for cases when an opportunist male "steals" a mating with the female of a paired male.
ID:
517
Year: 2018
Name: Chris Spicer
Institution: Morningside College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: On Sheldon Primes
Abstract: In a 2015 MAA Math Horizons article, the authors introduced the concept of a Sheldon prime, based on a conversation between several characters in the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory. The authors left open whether or not any number other than 73 satisfied the specific properties. Recent work has proven that it is in fact unique. We will introduce Sheldon primes and the number theory behind them, and demonstrate its uniqueness.
Year: 2018
Name: Chris Spicer
Institution: Morningside College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: On Sheldon Primes
Abstract: In a 2015 MAA Math Horizons article, the authors introduced the concept of a Sheldon prime, based on a conversation between several characters in the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory. The authors left open whether or not any number other than 73 satisfied the specific properties. Recent work has proven that it is in fact unique. We will introduce Sheldon primes and the number theory behind them, and demonstrate its uniqueness.
ID:
329
Year: 2012
Name: Chris Spicer
Institution: Morningside College
Subject area(s): Combinatorics
Title of Talk: 2-Color Rado Numbers
Abstract: Rado numbers are a branch of Combinatorics and are closely related to Ramsey numbers. In this talk, after discussing some of the historical work done on this topic, we will completely determine the 2-color Rado numbers for equations of a certain form.
Year: 2012
Name: Chris Spicer
Institution: Morningside College
Subject area(s): Combinatorics
Title of Talk: 2-Color Rado Numbers
Abstract: Rado numbers are a branch of Combinatorics and are closely related to Ramsey numbers. In this talk, after discussing some of the historical work done on this topic, we will completely determine the 2-color Rado numbers for equations of a certain form.
ID:
394
Year: 2014
Name: Chris Spicer
Institution: Morningside College
Subject area(s): graph theory
Title of Talk: Cops and Robbers on Oriented Graphs
Abstract: Cops and Robbers is a turn-based game traditionally played on graphs. In this talk, we extend this game to oriented graphs. Although a complete characterization of 1-cop-win graphs is known, there is not yet a corresponding characterization for oriented graphs. Necessary conditions are described for an oriented graph to be 1-cop-win, and several results are provided toward finding sufficient conditions.
Year: 2014
Name: Chris Spicer
Institution: Morningside College
Subject area(s): graph theory
Title of Talk: Cops and Robbers on Oriented Graphs
Abstract: Cops and Robbers is a turn-based game traditionally played on graphs. In this talk, we extend this game to oriented graphs. Although a complete characterization of 1-cop-win graphs is known, there is not yet a corresponding characterization for oriented graphs. Necessary conditions are described for an oriented graph to be 1-cop-win, and several results are provided toward finding sufficient conditions.
ID:
448
Year: 2016
Name: Chris Spicer
Institution: Morningside College
Subject area(s): combinatorics, math education
Title of Talk: Extreme Wild Card Poker, or, Engaging Women in Undergraduate Research
Abstract: The first half of this talk will describe a research project completed with 3 undergraduate students last year involving poker played with wild cards. We find the minimum number of wild cards needed to ensure five-of-a-kind is the most common hand. The second half will discuss preliminary results regarding engaging more women in undergraduate mathematics research.
Year: 2016
Name: Chris Spicer
Institution: Morningside College
Subject area(s): combinatorics, math education
Title of Talk: Extreme Wild Card Poker, or, Engaging Women in Undergraduate Research
Abstract: The first half of this talk will describe a research project completed with 3 undergraduate students last year involving poker played with wild cards. We find the minimum number of wild cards needed to ensure five-of-a-kind is the most common hand. The second half will discuss preliminary results regarding engaging more women in undergraduate mathematics research.
ID:
286
Year: 2010
Name: Jitka Stehnova
Institution: Mt. Mercy College
Subject area(s): Number Theory, Representation Theory
Title of Talk: Representation Theory
Abstract: In this talk, we first give an introduction to the representation theory of p-adic groups. We will then focus on the subset of unitary groups, specifically U(1,1) and U(2) and show a process of parametrization of irreducible admissible supercuspidal representations.
Year: 2010
Name: Jitka Stehnova
Institution: Mt. Mercy College
Subject area(s): Number Theory, Representation Theory
Title of Talk: Representation Theory
Abstract: In this talk, we first give an introduction to the representation theory of p-adic groups. We will then focus on the subset of unitary groups, specifically U(1,1) and U(2) and show a process of parametrization of irreducible admissible supercuspidal representations.
ID:
325
Year: 2012
Name: Jitka Stehnova
Institution: Mt. Mercy University
Subject area(s): Grants for Math
Title of Talk: Pi Day, STEM MNOS and ExploreU@MMU
Abstract: Last year, our department was able to secure funding for several different events and programs supporting mathematics on various levels. In this talk, I will talk about these programs, funding opportunities and grant writing.
Year: 2012
Name: Jitka Stehnova
Institution: Mt. Mercy University
Subject area(s): Grants for Math
Title of Talk: Pi Day, STEM MNOS and ExploreU@MMU
Abstract: Last year, our department was able to secure funding for several different events and programs supporting mathematics on various levels. In this talk, I will talk about these programs, funding opportunities and grant writing.
ID:
263
Year: 2009
Name: Bridgette Stevens
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s): Mathematics Education
Title of Talk: Mathematics Courses for Elementary Education Majors
Abstract: At the recent IMSEP Summit for math and science educators in August, it was discussed that mathematics educators should begin a dialogue regarding a set of core competencies (content) for teaching elementary mathematics in the state of Iowa. To in part meet that need, this is a working group session in which participants will discuss a variety of issues around the mathematics courses offered for prospective elementary mathematics teachers at Iowa
Year: 2009
Name: Bridgette Stevens
Institution: University of Northern Iowa
Subject area(s): Mathematics Education
Title of Talk: Mathematics Courses for Elementary Education Majors
Abstract: At the recent IMSEP Summit for math and science educators in August, it was discussed that mathematics educators should begin a dialogue regarding a set of core competencies (content) for teaching elementary mathematics in the state of Iowa. To in part meet that need, this is a working group session in which participants will discuss a variety of issues around the mathematics courses offered for prospective elementary mathematics teachers at Iowa
ID:
438
Year: 2016
Name: Meghan Stevens
Institution: Drake University
Subject area(s): Ordinary Differential Equations, Mathematical Biology, Global Dynamics
Title of Talk: Global Dynamics of a Breast Cancer Competition System
Abstract: In this talk I present a system of five ordinary differential equations to model the competition for space and resources between breast cancer cells and healthy cells. Included is the cancer stem cell hypothesis, which states that there exist proliferating cancer stem cells that repopulate non-proliferating tumor cells and can lead to tumor recurrence. These cancer stem cells exist in a smaller population, making them harder to detect. Additionally, the system contains an equation for the immune system in order to show how the body naturally defends itself from invading tumors. Finally, because the majority of breast cancer cells are estrogen-receptor positive, the role of excess estrogen in the body introduced through birth control in included. Estrogen increases the amount of cancer cells while hindering the effectiveness of the immune system. Its presence also increases the likelihood that healthy cells will mutate.Through stability analysis of sub-models in addition to the full model, states in which cancer is eradicated are found, as well as states in which cancer persists, given certain parameter values.
Year: 2016
Name: Meghan Stevens
Institution: Drake University
Subject area(s): Ordinary Differential Equations, Mathematical Biology, Global Dynamics
Title of Talk: Global Dynamics of a Breast Cancer Competition System
Abstract: In this talk I present a system of five ordinary differential equations to model the competition for space and resources between breast cancer cells and healthy cells. Included is the cancer stem cell hypothesis, which states that there exist proliferating cancer stem cells that repopulate non-proliferating tumor cells and can lead to tumor recurrence. These cancer stem cells exist in a smaller population, making them harder to detect. Additionally, the system contains an equation for the immune system in order to show how the body naturally defends itself from invading tumors. Finally, because the majority of breast cancer cells are estrogen-receptor positive, the role of excess estrogen in the body introduced through birth control in included. Estrogen increases the amount of cancer cells while hindering the effectiveness of the immune system. Its presence also increases the likelihood that healthy cells will mutate.Through stability analysis of sub-models in addition to the full model, states in which cancer is eradicated are found, as well as states in which cancer persists, given certain parameter values.
ID:
278
Year: 2010
Name: K Stroyan
Institution: University of Iowa
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Projects in Calculus Class
Abstract: My favorite calculus question is: Why did we eradicate polio by vaccination, but not measles? I use this as a training project for student projects in calculus. I'll talk about my experience with "modeling" projects in calculus.
Year: 2010
Name: K Stroyan
Institution: University of Iowa
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Projects in Calculus Class
Abstract: My favorite calculus question is: Why did we eradicate polio by vaccination, but not measles? I use this as a training project for student projects in calculus. I'll talk about my experience with "modeling" projects in calculus.
ID:
131
Year: 2005
Name: K Stroyan
Institution: University of Iowa
Subject area(s): Trig and basic calculus
Title of Talk: Retinal disparity via computer
Abstract: The horizontal separation of our eyes causes the image each eye receives to fall on a slightly different portion of the retina. This difference is called "retinal disparity" and has been studied extensively for its relation to depth perception. (This kind of depth perception is called stereopsis. Helmholtz' book in 1910 is an old "standard" reference to this) Recently a psychologist friend mentioned that he was studying how retinal disparity changes as a driver views two objects off to the side of the road. He also mentioned that most of his colleagues are "math-o-phobic" and used rather coarse approximations to retinal disparity. I wrote a Mathematica animation to show the motion of the eyes of a driver and compute the time derivative of retinal disparity. We corresponded sending graphs via email until I had a start at what interests the scientists. The math is simple vector geometry with some arc tangents, but it is a little messy, so I didn't immediately look at the formulas. When I did, I had a surprise. And I believe the surprise means we could train better users of mathematics if we worked towards better integration of modern computing in basic math. We hope to build a web-Mathematica site for psychologists to use for their computations.
Year: 2005
Name: K Stroyan
Institution: University of Iowa
Subject area(s): Trig and basic calculus
Title of Talk: Retinal disparity via computer
Abstract: The horizontal separation of our eyes causes the image each eye receives to fall on a slightly different portion of the retina. This difference is called "retinal disparity" and has been studied extensively for its relation to depth perception. (This kind of depth perception is called stereopsis. Helmholtz' book in 1910 is an old "standard" reference to this) Recently a psychologist friend mentioned that he was studying how retinal disparity changes as a driver views two objects off to the side of the road. He also mentioned that most of his colleagues are "math-o-phobic" and used rather coarse approximations to retinal disparity. I wrote a Mathematica animation to show the motion of the eyes of a driver and compute the time derivative of retinal disparity. We corresponded sending graphs via email until I had a start at what interests the scientists. The math is simple vector geometry with some arc tangents, but it is a little messy, so I didn't immediately look at the formulas. When I did, I had a surprise. And I believe the surprise means we could train better users of mathematics if we worked towards better integration of modern computing in basic math. We hope to build a web-Mathematica site for psychologists to use for their computations.
ID:
437
Year: 2016
Name: Keith Stroyan
Institution: University of Iowa
Subject area(s): Vector Calculus
Title of Talk: Advanced Calculus using Mathematica
Abstract: Advanced Calculus using Mathematica is a complete text on calculus of several variables written in Mathematica NoteBooks. The eText has large movable figures and interactive programs to illustrate things like “zooming in” to see “local linearity.” In addition to lots of traditional style exercises, the eText also has sections on computing with Mathematica. We will discuss some of the novel features of the text including the explicit, implicit, parametric organization and topics often omitted from "regular" texts (like "vector potentials.") We use the text in a second semester multivariable calculus course and a more advanced course.
Year: 2016
Name: Keith Stroyan
Institution: University of Iowa
Subject area(s): Vector Calculus
Title of Talk: Advanced Calculus using Mathematica
Abstract: Advanced Calculus using Mathematica is a complete text on calculus of several variables written in Mathematica NoteBooks. The eText has large movable figures and interactive programs to illustrate things like “zooming in” to see “local linearity.” In addition to lots of traditional style exercises, the eText also has sections on computing with Mathematica. We will discuss some of the novel features of the text including the explicit, implicit, parametric organization and topics often omitted from "regular" texts (like "vector potentials.") We use the text in a second semester multivariable calculus course and a more advanced course.
ID:
222
Year: 2008
Name: K Stroyan
Institution: University of Iowa
Subject area(s): Trig, Calculus, and Vision
Title of Talk: A new formula for depth perception
Abstract: When you are moving, such as walking, and fix your gaze at an object ahead, but off to the side, say a tree, stationary objects behind the tree seem to move in the same direction as you, while objects in front seem to move in the opposite direction. This is a monocular cue to depth, as opposed to binocular disparity - the difference in the images in your two (separated) eyes. Working with a vision researcher, we have found a simple new formula for depth in terms of motion. Work is in progress in his laboratory to see how much of the geometric information contained in the formula is actually used by humans. The proof of the formula is a very simple application of trigonometry and infinitesimal calculus. We were led to discover it through experimental intuition and some interactive programs that we will demonstrate.
Year: 2008
Name: K Stroyan
Institution: University of Iowa
Subject area(s): Trig, Calculus, and Vision
Title of Talk: A new formula for depth perception
Abstract: When you are moving, such as walking, and fix your gaze at an object ahead, but off to the side, say a tree, stationary objects behind the tree seem to move in the same direction as you, while objects in front seem to move in the opposite direction. This is a monocular cue to depth, as opposed to binocular disparity - the difference in the images in your two (separated) eyes. Working with a vision researcher, we have found a simple new formula for depth in terms of motion. Work is in progress in his laboratory to see how much of the geometric information contained in the formula is actually used by humans. The proof of the formula is a very simple application of trigonometry and infinitesimal calculus. We were led to discover it through experimental intuition and some interactive programs that we will demonstrate.
ID:
375
Year: 2013
Name: Wartburg Students
Institution: Wartburg College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Survivor X
Abstract: Based on CBS’s widely-seen show Survivor, the math capstone class project Survivor X will incorporate mini math challenges in search of a final victor. Participants will be split into teams competing together for immunity. Eventually the teams will be merged and the game will turn to an individual competition. But watch out for those voted out, they will decide who is to be given the title of sole mathematical survivor.
Year: 2013
Name: Wartburg Students
Institution: Wartburg College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Survivor X
Abstract: Based on CBS’s widely-seen show Survivor, the math capstone class project Survivor X will incorporate mini math challenges in search of a final victor. Participants will be split into teams competing together for immunity. Eventually the teams will be merged and the game will turn to an individual competition. But watch out for those voted out, they will decide who is to be given the title of sole mathematical survivor.
ID:
431
Year: 2015
Name: Francis Su
Institution: Harvey Mudd College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Voting in Agreeable Societies
Abstract: When does a majority exist in a voting situation? How does the geometry of the political spectrum influence the outcome? What does mathematics have to say about how people behave? When mathematical objects have a social interpretation, the associated results have social applications. We will show how math can be used to model people's preferences and understand voting in "agreeable" societies. This talk also features research with undergraduates.
Year: 2015
Name: Francis Su
Institution: Harvey Mudd College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Voting in Agreeable Societies
Abstract: When does a majority exist in a voting situation? How does the geometry of the political spectrum influence the outcome? What does mathematics have to say about how people behave? When mathematical objects have a social interpretation, the associated results have social applications. We will show how math can be used to model people's preferences and understand voting in "agreeable" societies. This talk also features research with undergraduates.
ID:
508
Year: 2018
Name: Ross Sweet
Institution: Simpson College
Subject area(s): math education, online learning
Title of Talk: Facilitating Peer Feedback in an Online Course
Abstract: When adapting a face-to-face course to an online format, many of our usual course activities are difficult to implement. In an introductory quantitative reasoning course, writing assignments with peer feedback were an essential part of the face-to-face course. When adapting this course to an online version, keeping the spirit of these assignments was a primary goal. An online question and answer platform, Piazza, was used for asynchronous peer feedback on writing assignments for the online version. In this context, we will discuss some benefits and drawbacks of this format and tool along with future refinements.
Year: 2018
Name: Ross Sweet
Institution: Simpson College
Subject area(s): math education, online learning
Title of Talk: Facilitating Peer Feedback in an Online Course
Abstract: When adapting a face-to-face course to an online format, many of our usual course activities are difficult to implement. In an introductory quantitative reasoning course, writing assignments with peer feedback were an essential part of the face-to-face course. When adapting this course to an online version, keeping the spirit of these assignments was a primary goal. An online question and answer platform, Piazza, was used for asynchronous peer feedback on writing assignments for the online version. In this context, we will discuss some benefits and drawbacks of this format and tool along with future refinements.
ID:
175
Year: 2006
Name: Jim Tattersall
Institution: Providence College
Subject area(s): History of Mathematics
Title of Talk: Episodes in The Early History of The Lucasian Chair
Abstract: In 1663, Henry Lucas, the long-time secretary to the Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, made a bequest, subsequently granted by Charles II, to endow a chair in mathematics. A number of conditions were attached to the Chair. Among the more prominent Lucasian professors were Newton, Babbage, Stokes, Dirac, and Hawking. We focus attention on the early Lucasians. Many of whom were very diligent in carrying out their Lucasian responsibilities but as history has shown such was not always the case. In the process, we uncover several untold stories and some interesting mathematics
Year: 2006
Name: Jim Tattersall
Institution: Providence College
Subject area(s): History of Mathematics
Title of Talk: Episodes in The Early History of The Lucasian Chair
Abstract: In 1663, Henry Lucas, the long-time secretary to the Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, made a bequest, subsequently granted by Charles II, to endow a chair in mathematics. A number of conditions were attached to the Chair. Among the more prominent Lucasian professors were Newton, Babbage, Stokes, Dirac, and Hawking. We focus attention on the early Lucasians. Many of whom were very diligent in carrying out their Lucasian responsibilities but as history has shown such was not always the case. In the process, we uncover several untold stories and some interesting mathematics
ID:
176
Year: 2006
Name: Jim Tattersall
Institution: Providence College
Subject area(s): History of Mathematics
Title of Talk: Vignettes in Number Theory
Abstract: Properties and the history of several numbers that lend themselves naturally to undergraduate research projects will be discussed. Topics include Demlo numbers, polite numbers, sad numbers, decimal Columbian numbers, Smith numbers, and Niven numbers.
Year: 2006
Name: Jim Tattersall
Institution: Providence College
Subject area(s): History of Mathematics
Title of Talk: Vignettes in Number Theory
Abstract: Properties and the history of several numbers that lend themselves naturally to undergraduate research projects will be discussed. Topics include Demlo numbers, polite numbers, sad numbers, decimal Columbian numbers, Smith numbers, and Niven numbers.