Math

Philosophy of Mathematics

Posted: May 2, 2022 at 6:49 pm

The philosophy of mathematics is the branch of philosophy that explores the foundation that is, the structural nature of mathematics and its implications. After a concise review of its historical development, we will briefly touch on the various schools of philosophy of mathematics such as formalism, intuitionism, logicism, Platonism, conventionalism, constructivism, empiricism, and quasi-empiricism. Our […]

A/V requirements: Laptop, LCD Projector

Ilhan Izmirli

Mathematics and Music

Posted: May 2, 2022 at 6:47 pm

From a purely computational point of view, there are several well-known applications of mathematics in music from basic arithmetic (to study such fundamental elements of music such as tempo and meter), to the golden ratio and Fibonacci numbers (to determine the number of notes in subsections of longer works), to Fourier series (to understand the […]

A/V requirements: Laptop, LCD Projector

Ilhan Izmirli

The Science of Climate Change

Posted: February 21, 2020 at 3:34 pm, Last Updated: September 13, 2021 at 7:02 pm

A simple description of the basic science of climate change. What is known for sure, and what is uncertain.

A/V requirements: LCD Projector, Screen

Robert Ehrlich (no evening engagements)

Where Are the Time Travelers?

Posted: November 21, 2019 at 9:16 pm, Last Updated: April 23, 2021 at 5:17 pm

Einstein’s theory of relativity suggests that time travel might be possible. We consider why this is true, and how one might build a time machine. We also consider the paradoxes involved with time travel and how they might be resolved.

A/V requirements: LCD Projector, Screen

Robert Ehrlich (no evening engagements)

Tachyons: Messengers from the Future?

Posted: November 21, 2019 at 9:11 pm, Last Updated: March 29, 2021 at 6:31 pm

Einstein claimed that faster-than-light (FTL) speeds are impossible, but some physicists are no longer so sure about that notion. Hypothetical subatomic particles that travel at FTL speed are known as tachyons. In this talk we consider how tachyons might be used to send messages back to the past, and how the existence of tachyons can […]

A/V requirements: LCD projector and screen

Robert Ehrlich (no evening engagements)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Nightmare Scenarios: Summoning the Demons?

Posted: October 31, 2019 at 6:18 pm, Last Updated: June 22, 2021 at 5:24 pm

Some may think of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in terms of Boston Dynamics’ Robot dog, Spot or of software that can defeat the very best human player in Go or Jeopardy. This course is about a much more sinister and serious aspect of AI, the various “nightmare scenarios” that are appearing regularly in the technical literature […]

A/V requirements: LCD Projector, Screen, Laptop

Steve Ruth

Computing in Science and Society

Posted: July 23, 2019 at 6:12 pm, Last Updated: June 22, 2021 at 3:45 pm

Computing is now so ubiquitous that we tend to forget the profound consequences it is having in science and society. The talk explores the advent and evolution of computing in science and society, and attempts to predict future developments.

A/V requirements: Laptop, LCD, Screen

Rainald Lohner

Renewable Energy, Nuclear Energy and Climate Change

Posted: September 29, 2014 at 2:45 pm, Last Updated: September 13, 2021 at 7:04 pm

This talk considers the impetus to move away from fossil fuels and towards greater usage of renewable energy. It also considers the advantages and problems associated with renewable energy, a possible future for nuclear energy, and the best science-informed policy with regard to our energy future.

A/V requirements: LCD projector and screen

Robert Ehrlich (no evening engagements)

Nuclear Power — Is it Green?

Posted: September 26, 2014 at 9:30 pm, Last Updated: September 13, 2021 at 7:05 pm

A discussion of the past, present and future of nuclear power, and its contribution to our quest for clean energy.

A/V requirements: LCD projector and screen

Robert Ehrlich (no evening engagements)

Crazy Ideas in Science

Posted: September 10, 2014 at 12:12 pm, Last Updated: March 29, 2021 at 6:32 pm

In this talk I consider how crazy ideas can sometimes lead to great scientific advances, and even cause us to re-examine the nature of science itself. This light-hearted talk will also serve as a template for some creative and humorous uses of PowerPoint that can add interest to your own presentations.

A/V requirements: LCD projector and screen

Robert Ehrlich (no evening engagements)

Could Einstein Have Been Wrong?

Posted: September 10, 2014 at 12:11 pm, Last Updated: March 29, 2021 at 6:32 pm

Einstein in his theory of relativity claimed that faster-than-light speeds are impossible. But some physicists are no longer so sure about that notion. This talk will take a look about what faster-than-light speeds imply, and the evidence as to whether faster-than-light particles might actually exist.

A/V requirements: LCD projector and screen

Robert Ehrlich (no evening engagements)

Computational Sciences: The Third Pillar of Empirical Science

Posted: September 10, 2014 at 12:08 pm, Last Updated: March 29, 2021 at 7:00 pm

For hundreds of years, empirical sciences as we know them today were based on either direct measurement of objects (or scaled models) or on simple analytic solutions of partial differential equations. The advent of supercomputers in the 1980s added a third option: computational sciences. The talk explores the origin, outlook and consequences of this third […]

A/V requirements: Laptop, LCD, Screen

Rainald Lohner