MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2005

Geometry/topology seminar 667
Time: 12:20 -- 1.20 p.m.
ROOM: 209A AYRES HALL
Speaker: VF Berestovskiy V.
Title: JSJ-splitting theorem for compact orientable Haken manifolds I.

TIME: 3:35
ROOM: AYRES 104
Speaker: Richard Barrett, Future Technologies Group,Computer Science and Mathematics Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Title: Making Effective Use of High Performance Computers in Computational Science, Part I.

Abstract: Computational scientists use computers to address scientific questions. Using a variety of examples, I will describe some of the issues involved in making effective use of some current and emerging computing environments and programming models.

Part 1 (10/24) will focus on describing the computing platforms and how they may be programmed. Part 2 (10/31) will focus on particular algorithms (e.g.solution methods for linear systems of equations) and some algorithmic implementation details (e.g. gridding techniques in hydrodynamics). Throughout I intend to illustrate various roles mathematics plays in many diverse areas of computational science.

My ultimate goal is to stimulate discussion that considers how algorithms might be developed or Modified to take advantage of the extraordinary computing power available.

This will be in "popcorn talk" format, flying at around 30,000 feet, in interrupt mode, so relax and put your feet up.

First-Year GTA Teaching Seminar
TIME: 3:35 - 4:50 p.m.
ROOM: 309B Ayres Hall
SPEAKER: Ms. Jennifer Fowler
TITLE: Dealing with Difficult Instructor-Student Situations

ABSTRACT: In this meeting, we will:
1. Discuss the differences between dealing with difficult students and difficult teaching situations,
2. Describe some general strategies for clear communication and managing disagreements and confrontations,
3. Discuss the different kinds of difficult behavior that students often exhibit, and strategies for dealing with these specific kinds of behavior.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2005

Geometry/topology seminar 667
Time: 12:20 -- 1.20 p.m.
ROOM: 209A AYRES HALL
Speaker: VF Berestovskiy V.
Title: JSJ-splitting theorem for compact orientable Haken manifolds II.

ALGEBRA SEMINAR
TIME: 3:30
ROOM: 214 AYRES
SPEAKER: George Butler
TITLE: Codes associated to curves II
ABSTRACT: Continuation of the previous talk.

Analysis Seminar
TIME: 3:35
ROOM: 309B AYRES HALL
Speaker: Dr. Fedor Andreev
Title: Painleve Equations: Introduction and Algebraic Solutions to the Sixth Painleve equation

Abstract: Painleve equation is a unique area connecting the theory of rational differential equations in complex plane with complex analysis, group theory, monodromy, and algebraic geometry moduli spaces). In Introduction (lecture 1) I consider all these topics and relations to soliton theory, integral equations, Riemann-Hilbert problem, and special functions. I will also discuss Okamoto's work on proving transcendence of the Painleve equation(s).

Later (lecture 2) I will cover my joint work with Alexander Kitaev on algebraic solutions to P6 (the sixth Painleve equation). Relations to dessins d'enfants will be discussed. The same approach is used to solve 2-centuries old problem (tackled by the likes of Riemann) of finding higher order transformations to Gauss Hypergeometric function.

For students/faculty who are interested: the only essential prerequisites are functions of complex variable and a (rough) idea of ordinary differential equation

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2005

TOPOLOGY SEMINAR
TIME: 12:20 - 1:10 p.m.
ROOM: 209B Ayres Hall
SPEAKER: Virtual guest speaker
TITLE: Asymptotic Topology and splittings of groups

COLLOQUIUM
TIME: 3:35
ROOM: AYRES 214
SPEAKER: David E. Dobbs
TITLE: CLASSIFYING MINIMAL RING EXTENSIONS

Abstract: Ideally, any scientist (and, in particular, any mathematician) wishes to classify the examples or instances of each concept that s/he is studying. Here, “to classify” means giving a list that contains exactly one isomorphic copy of each such instance. In this talk, we accomplish a classification in this sense for the concept of “minimal ring extension” of an arbitrary integral domain. Minimal ring extensions can be thought of as the basic building blocks of arbitrary ring extensions and, thus, are of wide use in both pure mathematics and applications. Classifying minimal ring extensions can be thought of a building a periodic table for ring extensions. Prior to May 2005, such a classification had been accomplished only for the minimal ring extensions of a field (by Daniel Ferrand and Jean-Pierre Olivier in 1970). This talk will describe the work of the speaker of the past several months, some of which was in collaboration with Professor Jay Shapiro (of George Mason University), that led to the classification of the minimal ring extensions of any integral domain. The first half of the talk will provide enough background to make the entire talk accessible to any student or faculty member whose understanding of abstract algebra is at least at the level of UT’s sequence Math 455-456. The second half of the talk will bring the audience up-to-date with our current state of knowledge by summarizing the papers written on the subject since May 2005.