From the math of origami to an historical murder mystery to a discussion on voting theory, undergraduate mathematics students and speakers from Northern California universities and colleges will present their theories, research and ideas at a conference at Sonoma State University on April 16.
SSU mathematics professors Brigitte Lahme, Izabela Kanaana and Jerry Morris have organized the department's first annual Northern California Undergraduate Mathematics Conference at various locations on campus during the day. A complete list of speakers can be found at the conference Web site at www.sonoma.edu/math/nocalumc.
"We are very excited about this opportunity to actively involve students in the mathematics community," says Lahme. "This kind of experience often leads to a corresponding growth in mathematical maturity." Kanaana notes that the conference is also a great way to find out what areas of mathematics other students are involved in and "it exposes undergraduates to a variety of non standard mathematical ideas."
The conference gives students an opportunity to practice talking about their work in mathematics in front of a friendly, peer audience. While sharing the results of work with peers is an essential part of an academic career, most national and local mathematics conferences usually only include poster sessions for undergraduates but no oral presentations.
Keynote speaker is Helen Moore, Associate Director of the American Institute of Mathematics, who received a National Science Foundation grant for her research on the theory of minimal surfaces, and currently works on mathematical models of diseases such as leukemia and HIV.
A grant from the National Science Foundation, administered through the Mathematical Association of America, supports the conference. It is the only one being held in California and registration is free. Morning refreshments and lunch will be provided for all conference participants.
For further information, contact Lahme at (707) 664-2238 or e-mail nocalumc@sonoma.edu.
