Algebraic Geometry:

A Conference for Undergraduate Mathematics Majors

Rice University, February 10-12, 2006

The general goal of the biennial Rice University Undergraduate Mathematics Conference is to expose undergraduates from many universities to current research in mathematics. Several researchers from Rice University will discuss classical and current results and open questions at a level accessible to junior mathematics majors. There will also be some interactive sessions Saturday afternoon.

Presenters:

Tim Cochran (Mathematics)
Ron Goldman (Computer Science)
Shelly Harvey (Mathematics)
Brendan Hassett (Mathematics)
Frank Jones (Mathematics)
Chris Rasmussen (Mathematics)
Mike Wolf (Mathematics)

Graduate Assistants:

Andrew Elliot (Mathematics), Peter Horn (Mathematics), Amanda Knecht (Mathematics), Ning Song (Computer Science)

Conference Schedule

Friday, February 10:

6:30 - 7:30 pm: Complimentary Buffet, (HB 438) (Room 438 in Herman Brown Building)

8:00 pm (HB 227): Brendan Hassett: Introduction to algebraic geometry and applications (abstract)

Saturday, February 11:

9:00 am (HB438) Coffee, juice, donuts, fruit

9:30 am (HB227): Frank Jones: Descartes Circle Theorem (abstract)

11 am (HB227) Tim Cochran: Knots, Links and Singularities (abstract)

12:00 noon: Lunch with Rice Undergraduates

1:30 pm (HB227) Ron Goldman: Algebraic Geometry and Geometric Modeling OR Is There Life After Graduate School?

3:00 pm: Two concurrent"lab" activities:

I. (Herman Brown 227) Brendan Hassett, Amanda Knecht, and Ning Song : Computational Algebraic Geometry Lab (abstract)

II. (Herman Brown 223) Shelly Harvey, Andrew Elliot, and Peter Horn: Polynomials from Topology (abstract)

6:00 pm: Pizza party with Rice graduate students.(2043 McClendon (1 1/2 blocks from Best Western Hotel) 713-6677946)

Sunday, February 12:

9:00 am (HB438): Coffee, Juice, donuts, fruit

9:30 am (HB227): Mike Wolf: Analytic Approaches to the Moduli Space of Curves: (abstract)

11:00 am (HB227): Chris Rasmussen: The Congruent Number Problem. (abstract)

12:00 noon: Lunch (in RiceVillage)

Afternoon: games (frisbee?, soccer?, chess?)

Conference Information:

The Herman Brown Building is located near entrance 21, on RiceBoulevard on the north side of campus. Near this entrance there should be adequate visitor parking available. If not, proceed west to the stadium lot.

For a map and further information see "The Department" in the Rice Mathematics Department homepage (http://math.rice.edu).

Registration:

Please complete--as soon as possible--the following information by e-mail (hardt@math.rice.edu) or fax (713-348-5231) or snail-mail (Math. Dept., Rice University, PO Box1892, Houston, TX 77251).

Name:
Address:
Phone Number:
E-Mail:
University:
Class (sophomore, junior, senior, etc.):
Arrival date and time (and fight information):
Departure date and time (and fight information):

Organizers:

Chris Rasmussen (Rice University-Mathematics), Brendan Hassett (Rice University-Mathematics), Bob Hardt (Rice University-Mathematics)

CONFERENCE PHOTOS