Mathematics in Science & Society
Spring 2001

Archive

Tuesday, February 13, 4:00 p.m., 245 Altgeld Hall

Speaker: Provost Richard Herman, UIUC

Title: A View From Inside the Beltway

Abstract: Provost Herman, a mathematician, will speak on mathematics and science funding and the political process.

Tuesday, February 20, 4:00 p.m., 245 Altgeld Hall

Speaker: Rick Stone, Northwest Airlines Operations Research Unit

Title:Airline Planning Problems

Abstract: In many ways a major airline can be viewed as one large planning problem which is usually approached as many interdependent smaller (but still imposing) planning problems. The list of things which need planning seems endless: crews, reservation agents, luggage, flights, through trips, maintenance, gates, inventory, equipment purchases. Each planning problem has its own considerations, its own complexities, its own set of time horizons, its own objectives, but all are interrelated. In this talk, we will briefly look at a few of these airline planning problems. For each, we will outline the basic problem, considerations, and objectives. In addition, for each planning problem we review, we will discuss how one might quantitatively approach the problem so as to intelligently support the planning process.

Host: Joe Rosenblatt, jrsnbltt@math.uiuc.edu

Friday, April 6, 3:00 p.m., 314 Altgeld Hall

Speaker: Professor John Lawrence, University of Waterloo, Canada

Title:Group Theory and the Enigma

Abstract: Professor Lawrence will describe his mathematical analysis of the Enigma machine. In the early 1930s a young mathematician, Marian Rejewski, led the Polish cipher bureau's attack on the German military Enigma code machine. His work allowed the Polish cipher bureau to read secret German communications until just before the Second World War. Professor Lawrence will bring a working World War II Enigma machine for demonstration.

This lecture, co-sponsored by CSL and MSS/Department of Mathematics, is part of CSL's Golden Anniversary Spring Lecture Series.

Friday, April 6, 4:15 p.m., 314 Altgeld Hall

Speaker: Dr. Simon Singh

Title:The Secret History of Public Key Cryptography

Abstract: Dr. Simon Singh, author of Fermat's Enigma, The Code Book, and The Science of Secrecy, will lecture about the invention of public key cryptography, an incredible encryption system that revolutionized security and allowed the information age to blossom. He will reveal the true story behind its invention, which was until very recently hushed up by the British Government.

Dr. Singh is an author, journalist, and television producer specializing in science and mathematics. Dr. Singh completed a Ph.D. in particle physics at Cambridge University and at CERN in Geneva. In 1990, he joined BBC's Science Department as a producer and director of programs. In 1996, he directed Fermat's Last Theorem, a documentary about the world's most notorious mathematical problem. Most recently he directed a 5-part series called The Science of Secrecy and wrote the companion book. www.simonsingh.com

This lecture, co-sponsored by CSL and MSS/Department of Mathematics, is part of CSL's Golden Anniversary Spring Lecture Series.

Tuesday, April 10, 4:00 p.m., 245 Altgeld Hall

Speaker: Mary Gray, American University, Washington, D.C.; first president of the Association for Women in Mathematics

Title:Statistics, Sex and the Law

Abstract:
"Statistics tell us much and the Courts are willing to listen."

U.S. v. Alabama

The U.S. women's basketball team won the Olympics.

Women now enjoy the same pension rights as their male colleagues.

Over a third of medical school graduates today are women and hearly half of law school graduates are women.

Women faculty --at some institutions-- have achieved salary equity with their male colleagues.

All of these victories for sex equality are due, at least in part, to statistical evidence brought before the courts. But what are statistics --or rather statisticians-- telling the courts and what are the courts really hearing? This talk addresses some of the statistical techniques employed in notable cases. The focus is more on the implications than on the statistical theory.

Last modified March 20, 2001