The Department of Mathematics and Statistics has an open position for a full-time lecturer/instructor to start Fall 2013. To apply or to find out more about the position, see the announcement on the SFA HR website at this link.
On April 22nd at 3:30 PM, Dr. Nick Long will be talking about “The Shapes of Things”. This talk will be accessible to all students and especially applicable for students interested in Abstract Algebra.
Abstract: From our earliest exposure to mathematics, the idea of shape has been an important descriptor. We are used to thinking about shapes like triangle, circle, and octagon. What shape does the set {1,2,3} have? What about a Rubik’s Cube? What about the NCAA Basketball tournament? What about a Cantor set? This talk will be interesting to anyone who has an interest in mathematics: students, faculty, and fans of math. (flyer in PDF form)
On Monday March 4th at 3PM on Math Building 357, Dr. Christopher Harder will be talking about “Finite Element Methods: Some Difficulties and Solutions.”
Abstract: Differential equations are used to describe a wide variety of phenomena. However, finding solutions to a given problem can be difficult, if not impossible. For this reason, methods are employed to find approximate solutions. These methods of approximation often come with their own set of complications. In this talk, we will consider finite element methods, a common approximation technique based on the weak formulation of the problem. Beginning with simple examples, we will explore the ideas underlying these techniques. The examples help to indicate potential difficulties, and we will consider approaches which have been put forth to overcome them. (Flyer in PDF form)
Today at 3:30 PM in Math 357, Dr. Scott Cook will be giving a talk titled “From Billiard Dynamics to Thermodynamics”. This talk should be interesting to all levels of students.
Abstract: Like billiards? You would probably beat me. But, can you *build* an engine using billiards? Come to my talk and I will show you how.
Billiards are an important type of a dynamical system. We will add a little randomness and make a (continuous) Markov chain. We will see that these billiard Markov models have a natural notion of temperature. Then, we will see that, if we make two of them with different temperatures and let them interact, heat will flow. So, we’ll harness that heat flow to do work by *building* a simple engine.
* – in the mathematical sense, of course
Today at 3:30 PM in Math Building 357, Dr. Lynn Greenleaf will be talking about “The Tornado”. This talk should be interesting to any students who have had vector calculus.
Abstract:
Tornadoes possess the most powerful winds on Earth with wind speeds approaching 320 miles per hour. The physics of a tornado and the resulting models used by meteorologists will be discussed. Doppler radar primarily provides tangential wind measurements when tracking a tornado. The radar also picks up occasional radial and vertical wind measurements, although rarely enough to create a complete profile. Meteorologists would like to create complete wind profiles and to analyze measurements more quickly than is presently done so that critical information can be made available to scientists and the public. With this in mind, tangential wind data is fitted to a known model and used to provide estimates of radial and vertical wind profiles using simplified calculations. (flyer in PDF form)
Dr. Matthew Beauregard of Baylor University will speak today, January 22 at 3:30 pm in Math Building 257 on Numerical Methods & Analysis: A Cautionary Tale from Numerical Approximations to Singular Reaction-Diffusion
Abstract: The development of numerical methods continues to have a tremendous impact on scientific research, in particular, to the study of partial differential equations. Compact methods serve as a fruitful way of increasing the accuracy of a numerical method without increasing the computational cost. As a result, a tremendous amount of focus in the literature has been placed on the study of compact methods and their applications. Still, their application is often done blindly, without proper numerical analysis of the numerical method. Here, the numerical solution of a nonlinear, degenerate reaction-diffusion equation of the quenching type is investigated. An adaptive compact scheme is employed to obtain solutions for the discretized system. The temporal step is determined adaptively through a suitable arc-length monitor function. It is shown that the numerical solution acquired preserves the positivity and monotonicity of the analytical solution. Strong stability is proven in a Von-Neumann sense via the ℓ2- norm. In light of these achievements, subtle restrictions are imposed as a result of implementing the compact scheme, providing a cautionary tale that employing numerical methods without proper analysis is a recipe for divergence, inaccuracy, and inconsistent results. Undergraduate students are encouraged to attend as the talk siphons directly from knowledge of calculus and linear algebra. (Flyer in PDF form)
The Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Stephen F. Austin State University anticipates filling three tenure-track assistant/associate professor positions beginning with the 2013-2014 academic year. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in mathematics, statistics, applied mathematics, or mathematics education and have a strong commitment to quality teaching, research, and academic service. For one position, preference will be given to applicants in mathematics education with a record of publication; applicants must have the equivalent of a master’s degree in mathematics. For the second and third positions, preference will be given to applicants in statistics and applied mathematics, respectively. Applications from candidates in other areas are welcome. Applicants with strong records of research and externally funded projects will be considered for associate professor rank. See the attached announcement for more details.
