Wed, 22 Nov 2017

16:00 - 17:00
C4

Warped cones as coarse invariants for actions.

Federico Vigolo
(University of Oxford)
Abstract

Warped cones are infinite metric spaces that are associated with actions by homeomorphisms on metric spaces. In this talk I will try to explain why the coarse geometry of warped cones can be seen as an invariant of the action and what it can tell us about the acting group.

When they aren't in their offices doing Maths our Faculty can be found in their offices writing books about doing Maths. Here is a recent sample of their labours. 

Richard Earl's 'Towards Higher Mathematics: A Companion' aims, as its title suggests, to bridge the gap between school and University, giving sixth-formers an insight into and preparation for the mathematics they will be studying at University.

Tue, 21 Nov 2017
16:00
L6

Local limit theorem for the number of K4 in G(n,p)

Sophia Saller
(Oxford University)
Abstract

Understanding the distribution of subgraph counts has long been a central question in the study of random graphs. In this talk, we consider the distribution of Sn, the number of K4 subgraphs, in the Erdös Rényi random graph G(n, p). When the edge probability p \in (0, 1) is constant, a classical central limit theorem for Sn states that (Sn−µn)/σn converges in distribution. We establish a stronger form of convergence, namely the corresponding local limit theorem, which is joint work with O. Riordan.
 

Supporting female students is a priority for us, particularly on courses where women have historically been underrepresented. We are delighted that, due to the support of Booking.com, the University can offer 10 scholarships to female Home/EU students studying MScs in mathematics, statistics and computer science in 2018-19.

Supporting female students is a priority for Oxford Mathematics, particularly on courses where women have historically been underrepresented.  We are delighted that, due to the support of Booking.com, Oxford University can offer 10 scholarships to female Home/EU students studying MScs in mathematics, statistics and computer science in 2018-19.

Wed, 22 Nov 2017
11:00
N3.12

The geometric calculus of Newton.

Gareth Wilkes
Abstract

I was speak on the way Newton carries out his calculus in the Principia in the framework of classical geometry rather than with fluxions, his deficiencies, and the relation of this work to inverse-square laws.

Wed, 13 Jun 2018

16:00 - 17:00
C2

Applied mathematics in Czechoslovakia between the two world wars

Jan Kotůlek
(Technical University of Ostrava)
Abstract

The Czech lands were the most industrial part of the Austrian-Hungarian monarchy, broken up at the end of the WW1. As such, Czechoslovakia inherited developed industry supported by developed system of tertiary education, and Czech and German universities and technical universities, where the first chairs for applied mathematics were set up. The close cooperation with the Skoda company led to the establishment of joint research institutes in applied mathematics and spectroscopy in 1929 (1934 resp.).

The development of industry was followed by a gradual introduction of social insurance, which should have helped to settle social contracts, fight with pauperism and prevent strikes. Social insurance institutions set up mathematical departments responsible for mathematical and statistical modelling of the financial system in order to ensure its sustainability. During the 1920s and 1930s Czechoslovakia brought its system of social insurance up to date. This is connected with Emil Schoenbaum, internationally renowned expert on insurance (actuarial) mathematics, Professor of the Charles University and one of the directors of the General Institute of Pensions in Prague.

After the Nazi occupation in 1939, Czech industry was transformed to serve armament of the Wehrmacht and the social system helped the Nazis to introduce the carrot and stick policy to keep weapons production running up to early 1945. There was also strong personal discontinuity, as the Jews and political opponents either fled to exile or were brutally persecuted.

Fri, 09 Nov 2018

15:00 - 16:00
C1

Formulating a theory - mathematics in Thomson and Rutherford's collaboration on x-ray ionisation

Isobel Falconer
(University of St Andrews)
Abstract

In 1897 J.J. Thomson 'discovered' the electron. The previous year, he and his research student Ernest Rutherford (later to 'discover' theatomic nucleus), collaborated in experiments to work out why gases exposed to x-rays became conducting. 


This talk will discuss the very different mathematical educations of the two men, and the impact these differences had on their experimental investigation and the theory they arrived at. This theory formed the backdrop to Thomson's electron work the following year. 

Thu, 25 Jan 2018

17:00 - 18:00
L5

Was James Clerk Maxwell’s mathematics as good as his poetry?

Mark McCartney
(University of Ulster)
Abstract

James Clerk Maxwell (1831–1879) was, by any measure, a natural philosopher of the first rank who made wide-ranging contributions to science. He also, however, wrote poetry.

In this talk examples of Maxwell’s poetry will be discussed in the context of a biographical sketch. It will be  argued that not only was Maxwell a good poet, but that his poetry enriches our view of his life and its intellectual context.

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