Other Past Events
84th William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition
Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, 9 a.m. through Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, 5 p.m.
16 Vincent Hall
This year, the 84th William Lowell Putnam competition will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2023 in Vincent Hall Room 16 on the East Bank Campus This is a test of mathematical creativity in problem solving, and is directed to students of science and engineering, as well as mathematics.
The exam consists of two three-hour sessions (9am - noon, and 2pm - 5pm), punctuated by a two-hour lunch break. While taking the exam, each participant works independently, and participation also includes a pledge not to post or discuss the exam questions online or otherwise before 7 p.m. (“8 p.m. EST”, which is the end of the exam on the West Coast) that day.
The questions posed in previous editions are posted (together with solutions) on the examination website, and the “Putnam Exam Archive” managed by Kiran Kedlaya (www.kskedlaya.org/putnam-archive/) displays many more.
You are eligible to compete if you are an undergraduate student currently studying here (even as a visiting student), do not already hold a Bachelor's degree (or its equivalent or superior), and have not already participated in four of the previous competitions.
Practice sessions will be held every Wednesday afternoon until the date of the exam, starting on October 11 from 2:30 - 4:00 in Vincent Hall 215.
New Trends in Kinetic and Optimal Transport
Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, 9:30 a.m. through Friday, Oct. 27, 2023, 12:30 p.m.
325 Lind Hall
Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 962 1356 5821
Passcode: A3hX0f
Kinetic theory offers an effective approach to reduce the complexity of particle systems by evolving probability density functions instead of tracking individual particles. This reduction in dimensionality significantly simplifies the problem, enabling efficient analysis and computation. Optimal transport, on the other hand, provides a natural geometric framework for understanding gradient flows, diffusive partial differential equations, and diffusion processes.
The connection between these fields dates back to McKean's work in the 1960s, where he establishes an explicit convergence rate for Kac's caricature, a one-dimensional toy model for the Boltzmann equation. Moreover, optimal transport has played a crucial role in establishing the rigorous theory of mean field limits, bridging the gap between particle systems and mean field kinetic equations. Furthermore, it has emerged as a vital numerical analysis tool for studying particle methods. The remarkable contributions of Cédric Villani in both fields has earned him the Fields Medal in 2010. Recent advancements have deepened the connection between the two fields, opening up exciting new research directions. These include the exploration of sampling techniques, solving inverse problems, quantifying uncertainty, and building mathematical foundations for deep learning.
This workshop aims to foster collaboration and facilitate fruitful discussions among researchers from both backgrounds, with a focus on exploring the interdisciplinary nature of these subjects.
Diving into Math with Emmy Noether
Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023, 7 p.m. through Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023, 9 p.m.
Coffman Memorial Union Theater
300 Washington Ave SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Emmy Noether (1882-1935) was one of the most influential mathematicians of the last century. Her works and teachings left a lasting mark on modern algebra, opening new avenues for a new structural perspective in mathematics. Noether was also one of the first women to gain the right to teach at a German university. She acquired that certification (Habilitation) on June 4, 1919, after submitting a thesis in which she solved one of the central problems in Einstein’s general theory of relativity. Her two celebrated theorems relating symmetries of variational problems and conservation laws of the field equations form the cornerstone of modern physical theories and beyond.
To celebrate the centenary of this event and the career of a unique personality in the history of mathematics, the ensemble Portrait Theater Vienna has produced a biographical play, Diving into Math with Emmy Noether. The production is directed by Sandra Schüddekopf and stars Anita Zieher as Emmy. The play is based on historical documents and events, and was written in cooperation with the historians Mechthild Koreuber and David E. Rowe. Further information can be found on the play’s website.
The University of Minnesota is pleased to announce that an English-language version of the play will be performed on Sep 26, 2023 at 7 p.m. in Coffman Memorial Union Theater. Associated events are being planned to showcase the mathematical, scientific, and philosophical impact of Emmy Noether’s legacy.
Symposium on Fronts, Patterns, and Self-Organization
Tuesday, April 11, 2023, 10:30 a.m. through Tuesday, April 11, 2023, 3:30 p.m.
420 Lind Hall
The Symposium on Fronts, Patterns, and Self-Organization will feature three 40-minute invited presentations on complex systems in the sciences and engineering, where fronts and patterns play an important role in the self-organized properties of the system. The talks will emphasize open questions and leave ample room for discussion. The symposium will also include several shorter contributed presentations.
Fall 2021 Orientation
Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, 9 a.m. through Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, 3 p.m.
Vincent Hall and Online
The School of Mathematics Orientation is mandatory for all incoming Mathematics graduate students. During our orientation you will find out about curriculum requirements, preliminary exams, and opportunities in research, teaching, and service. You will also participate in practice teaching sessions, and your responsibilities as a graduate assistant will be explained. Please make an appointment with your faculty advisor and the director of graduate studies (mcgehee@umn.edu) to make registration plans.
Special Events and Seminars
Monday, March 22, 2021, 11 a.m.
via Zoom https://umn.zoom.us/j/97214138395
Titles and abstracts of the talks will be made available close to each talk at the seminar website https://sites.google.com/view/hagmtpdeseminar. To subscribe to the weekly seminar mailing list, please contact Bruno Poggi Cevallos, at poggi008@umn.edu. The seminar is organized by Bruno Poggi Cevallos (University of Minnesota), Ryan Matzke (University of Minnesota), and José Luis Luna García (University of Missouri).
Multiscale Theory and Computation
Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, Midnight through Monday, Sept. 25, 2017, Noon
University of Minnesota
An International Conference Honoring Mitchell Luskin on the Occasion of his 65th Birthday
Multiscale modeling, theory, and computation have made fundamental contributions to many areas of physical, chemical, and biological sciences. Recent theoretical and experimental advances present new challenges for multiscale theory and computation. This conference will seek to stimulate new approaches and collaborations by bringing together both senior and junior researchers with expertise spanning molecular to continuum scales and stochastic to deterministic methods.