Upcoming Events
Wall-crossing in Mathematics and Physics
The Department of Mathematics will host a conference "Wall-crossing in Mathematics and Physics" May 24-28, 2010. Visit the conference website for more information.
In the News
Christopher Leininger named Helen Corley Petit Scholar
Assistant Professor Christopher Leininger has been named as a 2010-2011 Helen Corley Petit Scholar by Ruth Watkins, Dean of the College of LAS, effective July 1, 2010. The endowment that funds this position was created to develop scholarship and teaching of early career faculty members in the College. Dean Watkins cites Dr. Leininger's extraordinary record in bestowing this honor upon him.
Philippe Tondeur named AAAS Fellow
Professor Emeritus Philippe Tondeur has been named an AAAS Fellow by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Election as a fellow is an honor bestowed upon members by their peers because of their efforts to advance science or its applications that are deemed scientifically or socially distinguished. Tondeur served as Chair of the Department of Mathematics at Illinois from 1996-1999 and then as Director of the Division of Mathematical Sciences at the National Science Foundation from 1999-2002. Read more about this national honor.
Paul Halmos remembered
Paul Halmos (Ph.D. 1938) is remembered in the article "What I Learned from Paul Halmos" by Peter Ross in the latest issue of MAA Focus (pp 4-6). Halmos majored in mathematics and philosophy at the University of Illinois. After receiving his bachelor’s degree, he stayed at Illinois to pursue graduate studies, and he earned his Ph.D. in mathematics in 1938 under the direction of Joseph Doob. Halmos is a famed mathematician, master expositor, author of several influential books, and originator of the “Halmos symbol” (the end-of-proof box). He died on October 2, 2006 in Los Gatos, California. He was the author of more than a dozen books and was acknowledged for his expository skill, both in writing and speaking. Halmos’ writing had worldwide impact. His book “Finite-dimensional vector spaces” was studied by an entire generation of aspiring mathematicians. In 1979 he was the invited lecturer for the department's Trjitzinsky Memorial Lectures. He received many awards during his lifetime, including the AMS Steele Prize (1983, for his many graduate texts) and the MAA Gung and Hu Award (2000, for distinguished service to mathematics).
Math Times
Read more news about the Department of Mathematics in the Math Times.
Announcements
Flu Season
The Department of Mathematics is taking steps to reduce the spread of flu while ensuring that it is possible for students to continue to learn. The University is advising students who are sick to avoid coming to class and if they have a fever greater than 100 degrees to go to the McKinley Health Center to be seen by a nurse or doctor. Read more about what you can do to stop the spread of flu.
Math Placement at Illinois
In order to better assess the prerequisite knowledge of individual students, the University of Illinois uses a pre-calculus learning and placement tool called the U of I Math Placement Exam through ALEKS for its pre-calculus and all beginning calculus courses. Read more about math placement.