Geneseo Mathematics Colloquium Schedule |
Spring 2012
Friday, February 24, 3:30-4:20pm
Newton 203
Huijun Yi, Southern Illinois University
Statistical Analysis on Contingency Tables
In this talk, contingency tables that display relationships between categorical variables are introduced. To describe a contingency table I define some primary parameters. Also two statistical methods for analyzing contingency tables are presented, namely, independence test and estimation of cell probabilities. These two methods play a vital role in categorical data analysis, and both assume a Multinomial sampling. Lastly I focus on model building for two-way contingency tables, which is connected to the research for my Ph. D. dissertation.
Tuesday, February 28, 3:30-4:20pm
Newton 203
Yusuf Bilgic, Western Michigan University
Title TBA
Abstract TBA
Thursday, March 29, 4-4:50pm
Room TBA
Jacqueline Jensen, Slippery Rock University
Title TBA
Abstract TBA
Wednesday, April 11, 2:30 - 3:20pm
Newton 203
Nicole Juersivich, Nazareth College
Title TBA
Abstract TBA
Wednesday, April 29, 4-4:50pm
Room TBA
Anthony Macula, SUNY College at Geneseo
Title TBA
Abstract TBA
Wednesday, Februrary 1, 2:30 - 3:30pm
Newton 204
Jeff Johannes, SUNY College at Geneseo
Évariste Galois, Hector Berlioz, and Algebraic Equations
This lively (and at times emotional) presentation will feature a history of the solution of algebraic equations and conclude with a discussion of the life and times of composer Hector Berlioz and mathematician Evariste Galois in post-Napoleonic France.
It will be accessible to anyone who understands the quadratic formula.
Thursday, February 16, 4:00 - 4:50pm
Newton 204
Linda Bjork, Munich Reinsurance America
A day in the life of an actuary
A day in the life of an actuaryActuaries analyze risk, forecasting an organization’s potential for loss (or profit), playing a key role in helping organizations plan the future. We use mathematical models to assist in solving complex problems. Today, I will provide a brief overview of my background and current role. Then I will review three “areas” of mathematics that are used during a typical actuary's career. I will provide an example of how loss distributions (the third area) are used to model potential insurance claims. We will explore how these models can be used to determine the potential for losses of different sizes.
Monday, February 20, 3:30-4:20pm
Newton 203
Ryan Pietropaulo, North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
A Vector Approach to Linear Regression
Linear Regression is a commonly used tool in modeling problems but is rarely understood by its users. A vector calculus approach of this topic will be explored to give a geometric interpretation of the ideas behind the regression line, the correlation coefficient, and what is meant by the term “least squares”. An extension to quadratic, cubic, and planar regression will also be developed using basic linear algebra.