Mathematics and Computer Science Chats - Fall 2008

The "Math/CS Chats" is a series of colloquia where students and faculty have a chance to hear about interesting mathematics and computer science. Typically these Chats occur at noon on Tuesdays in Tome 115.

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This Semester's Chats

[9/30] [9/16] [9/2]

9/30: A gentle introduction to fixed point theory

Chris Staecker
Asst. Professor of Mathematical Sciences
Messiah College

We will chat about fixed point theory, the study of points p which do not change when a function is applied: f(p) = p. Motivating examples from calculus, topology, economics, and compiler optimizations will be discussed, along with some surprising and beautiful theorems from topological fixed point theory.

Date: 9/30
Location: Tome 115
Time: 12:00-12:50
Lunch provided

9/16: Constraints, Conundrums and Convergence: Moving A/V into an IT World to Enhance Education

Dr. Russell Scaduto
Associate Professor of Cellular and Molecular Physiology
Director of Education Technology
Director, MultiMedia Solutions
The Penn State University College of Medicine

This discussion will focus on the challenges faced by higher-education institutions in adopting technical solutions to promote education. The ultimate goals in adopting technology to enhance teaching and learning are two-fold: to minimize the time required to learn and to promote information retention. Can advances in technology help educators achieve these goals? At the basic level, as learners, we assimilate information in an analog format using primarily two sensors, our eyes and ears. The storage and delivery of this information today, however, utilizes digital solutions. The challenges in adopting these technologies in an academic institution can be financial or political, but technical barriers limit what can be achieved. Thus, while these solutions afford new possibilities, technical barriers impose constraints. We will review the use of video technology as a prime example of a relatively new educational approach and discuss its strengths and limitations.

Date: 9/16
Location: Tome 115
Time: 12:00-12:50
Lunch provided

9/2: Executing JML Specifications of JavaCard Applications

Tim Wahls
Associate Professor of Computer Science
Dickinson College

Formal specifications are more useful and easier to develop if they are executable. This talk introduces the JML specification language, the jmle tool for executing specifications and the JavaCard application framework, and then describes how jmle was used to execute the specification of an electronic purse application developed for JavaCard. Applying jmle uncovered numerous errors and other specification weaknesses, as well as exposing errors and omissions in the implementation of jmle itself.

Date: 9/2
Location: Tome 115
Time: 12:00-12:50
Lunch provided