Mathematics Colloquium

Calendar of upcoming talks available here

The Mathematics Colloquia is a series of talks by the Willamette University Math Department and visiting speakers. These talks are aimed at faculty and undergraduate math students and will introduce the audience to fun, interesting applications of undergraduate mathematics, as well as more advanced topics in mathematics research. Unless otherwise noted, Colloquium talks will be held Thursdays at 4:00pm in Ford Room 102. Refreshments will be provided. We hope you can join us! If you would like more information, please contact Prof. Erin McNicholas.

Colloquium Schedule 2011-2012

December 1st, Ford 201 4:00 - 5:00pm

Kristine Pelatt, University of Oregon
The Hairy Ball Theorem

If you have a ball, completely covered with hair, can the hair be combed without a cowlick? We will start by investigating some properties of triangulations of polygons. Using what we learn, we will conclude that the answer to this question is no - every time you comb the hair there will be cowlick. We will end with examples of ``hairy'' shapes which can be combed.

Abstracts Archive

Previous Fall 2011 Talks

November -

11/17 Erin McNicholas, Assistant Professor of Mathematics
Spring Course Preview

11/10 Kathryn Nyman, Assistant Professor of Mathematics
The Peak Algebra of the Symmetric Group

11/3 Colin Starr, Associate Professor of Mathematics
The Nine-Point Circle and Feuerbach's Theorem

October -

10/6 Michael Dorff, Department of Mathematics, Brigham Young University
Soap Bubbles, Shortest Paths, and When Does the Derivative of the Area Equal Perimeter?

10/7 Michael Dorff, Department of Mathematics, Brigham Young University
Toy Story 3, the “real” Iron Man Suit, and advising the President of the United States

September -

9/29 Peter Otto, Willamette University
Mathematics of Mixing Things Up

9/22 Inga Johnson, Willamette University
The Link Smoothing Game