MCSP Seminar - Brownian Motion and HMD-Functions

The final MCSP Seminar of the term will take place on Tuesday, March 25 at 11:30 in SC 134.  The featured speaker will be Kevin Gerstle, a graduate student in mathematics at the University of Iowa.  He will deliver a presentation entitled, "Brownian Motion and HMD-Functions."
(See below for an abstract.)  As always, refreshments (cookies and beverages) will be provided.  We hope to see you and your students there!

-Ben


March 25 Speaker: Kevin Gerstle, University of Iowa graduate student

Title: "Brownian Motion and HMD-Functions"

Abstract:
Models of random motion can be used in all scientific disciplines to study phenomena ranging from the rise and fall of stock prices to the motion of pollen particles through water. In particular, models of Brownian motion can be used to describe the behavior of random, continuous motion through any number of dimensions.

By letting these randomly moving particles, ie: Brownian particles, travel through a two-dimensional domain, we can learn valuable information about the shape and structure of the domain by determining how far from their starting points Brownian particles will first hit the domain's boundary. In doing so, we will construct the "harmonic measure distribution functions" (HMD-functions) for these domains and discuss just what information these functions encode. For example: are the domains bounded? Do they have any corners or cusps? Do they have any holes in them? Are their boundaries connected?

We will examine the HMD-functions of several different types of domains using both geometrical and computational methods and then look in particular at a class of circle domains for which the HMD-functions are of particular interest. In doing so, we will use concepts from analysis, geometry, probability, and computational theory in order to define these functions and to explain their significance.

2014 Science Demo Show

PIMS Undergraduate Workshop on Supersymmetry

The PIMS Undergraduate Workshop on Supersymmetry will be held at the
Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences at the University of
British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, on May 25-31, 2014.

In physics, supersymmetry is a pairing between different types of
particles.  One may study supersymmetry mathematically by using graph
theory and abstract algebra.  The PIMS workshop is a weeklong program
for undergrads.  It will combine lectures introducing research problems
in math and physics with problem-solving sessions and opportunities for
career development.

For more information, or to apply, visit the workshop website:

http://people.uwec.edu/whitchua/supersymmetry/

Travel funding is available for US and Canadian citizens and permanent
residents.