Each semester, the mathematics department hosts a seminar series for students and faculty.
Experts present recent research findings, giving students a chance to learn about how what they study now applies to the real world. Students have the opportunity to interact with professionals in the field of mathematics, science, and computer science.
Past Colloquia
Bibliometrics: Computing with Words
Dr. Jan W. Buzydlowski, Assistant Professor, Department of Information Science & Technology, Cabrini College
Monday, February 5, 2007
Bibliometrics is the study of statistical and mathematical techniques applied to the analysis of text and documents. This talk gave a general overview of the subject, along with an in-depth exposition of the author's research on co-citation analysis, a branch of bibliometrics. The talk concluded with the discussion and demonstration of a web-based system, AuthorMap, that illustrates the concepts in real-time with a scholarly, substantive dataset, the Arts and Humanities Citation Index.
Finding Numbers That Are Both Triangular and Square
Robert McGee, Professor Emeritus, Cabrini College
Monday, November 13, 2006
The problem of finding triangular square numbers is based on ideas that are more than 2,500 years old. The solution illustrates classic problem solving techniques such as looking for a pattern and solving simpler problems. This problem also introduces such mathematical topics as Pell's Equations, continued fractions and their convergents, and recursion.
How Large a Sample Size Do We Really Need?
Dr. Bong S. Kim, Assistant Professor, Neumann College
Monday, October 9, 2006
This colloquium discussed the basic trade-offs in statistical estimations: the desire to have a high confidence level, a low margin of error, and a small sample size. This talk answered the common question from decision makers who are planning estimation, "How large a sample size do we really need?"
More Graph Theory
David DiMarco, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Neumann College
Monday, April 24, 2006
This talk described elementary areas of graph theory beyond the ones in Professor DiMarco's previous talk, including subgraphs, trees, bipartite graphs, and abstract and geometric graphs.
The Magic of a Square
Megan Clementi, Adjunct Instructor of Mathematics, Cabrini College
Monday, March 20, 2006
How can a square be magical? In this presentation, Megan Clementi taught how to create your own magic squares without a wand!
Intelligent Design versus Evolution
Dr. David Dunbar, Assistant Professor of Biology, Cabrini College
Monday, February 6, 2006
Dr. Dunbar discussed the intelligent design/evolution controversy. Many feel that certain aspects of intelligent design are at variance with Darwinian evolutionary theory. This talk looked at the theories of intelligent design and evolution and why there are disputes between these two beliefs about how life arose on Earth.
Mathematics and Religion: The Intersection Is Not Empty
Robert McGee, Professor Emeritus, Cabrini College
Carol Serotta, Associate Professor, Cabrini College
Katie Acker, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Cabrini College
Monday, November 14, 2005
We will talk about interesting numbers you meet in the Bible and their special properties. We will also look at the contributions made to mathematics by religious leaders.
The Traveling Salesman Problem and Its Polytope
Dr. Raymond Robb, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Cabrini College
Monday, October 24, 2005
Dr. Robb defined the famous traveling salesman problem and explained its importance, linked the problem to the study of polytopes (basically, polygons in more dimensions), and showed results from his dissertation relating data about the traveling salesman polytope to information about its associated problem.
Of Yeast and Men: What Yeast Can Tell Us About Human Biology?
David Dunbar, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biology, Cabrini College
Monday, April 11, 2005
The fungus yeast is studied extensively as a tool to learn about the molecular mechanisms that govern human cells. Dr. Dunbar presented some of the findings on yeast genetics that he uncovered while working in the laboratory of Dr. Susan Baserga at the Yale School of Medicine.
Slices of Pi
Dr. John F. Brown, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Cabrini College
Monday, March 14, 2005
The number π, the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter, has fascinated people for millennia. In this talk, Professor Brown discussed the history of π, talked about other places π appears, and described a few ways to calculate its value. Refreshments were served shortly before 3:14:16.
The Anti-Authoritarian Derivative
Dr. Walter Huddell, Associate Professor of Mathematics, Eastern University
Monday, February 21, 2005
A certain class of continuous linear functionals called distributions defined on the infinitely differentiable functions on R with compact support was considered. Any integrable function can be associated with one of these so-called "generalized functions." After examining the derivative of a distribution, this notion was used to "differentiate" functions that are not differentiable in the traditional sense.
Studying a 250-Million-Year-Old Microbe
Dr. David Dunbar, Assistant Professor of Biology, Cabrini College
Monday, November 15, 2004
This presentation described a research project that Dr. Dunbar and a student were engaged in that involves gaining an understanding of the basic biology of a salt-loving microbe that was extracted from a 250-million-year-old salt crystal from a mine in Carlsbad, New Mexico.
Teaching with Cross Sums
Dr. Raymond Robb, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Cabrini College
Monday, October 18, 2004
A cross sum is a puzzle shaped like a crossword but with number clues and answers. Attendees discussed both the usefulness of cross sums in introducing the idea of proof to students and several solution techniques that range from simple logic to linear algebra.
Separation Anxiety? Just Go with the Flow: How Flow Cytometry is Used to Separate Cells in Biotechnology
Dr. Sherry Fuller-Espie, Associate Professor of Biology, Cabrini College
Monday, April 19, 2004
Flow cytometry is a technology that enables analysis of multiple properties of cells at a rate of 500 – 4,000 cells per second. A flow cytometer is able to measure simultaneously the scatter and fluorescence properties of cells as they pass in a fluid stream through a laser interrogation path. Through a recent DCED state grant, the Science Department at Cabrini College acquired a FACSCalibur flow cytometer and was implementing laboratory assays into the biotechnology curriculum. This talk outlined the basic steps involved in flow cytometry and showcased some of the work conducted by students enrolled in Theory and Practice in Biotechnology I.
Thermal De-polymerization
LCDR David W. Taylor, USN (Retired), Instructor of Chemistry, Engineering Science and Mathematics, Valley Forge Military College
Monday, March 15, 2004
Since early in the 20th Century, scientists have been attempting to synthesize fuels from other organic materials. Until recently, none have been successful. A scientist has developed a combination thermal and mechanical process that breaks down virtually any carbon compound into trace elements, solid carbon, pure water, natural gas, and a fuel that is very similar to home heating oil. The process, in terms of a ratio of energy in compared to energy out, is about 85% efficient. Beyond theory, one full-scale plant is now in operation near St. Louis, Missouri, creating useful compounds from the refuse of a huge poultry processing plant.
An Introduction to Graph Theory
Dr. David DiMarco, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Neumann College
Monday, February 16, 2004
This talk covered some introductory graph theory with some simple applications.
Problem Solving in the Middle School: Using Historical Problems
Robert McGee, Associate Profess or of Mathematics, Cabrini College assisted by his students from the Armenian Sisters Academy
Monday, November 24, 2003
Problem solving is the number one priority in mathematics in the schools. Eighth-grade students at the Armenian Sisters Academy were involved in a project designed to enhance their problem solving skills. Three types of problems were used:
1. General problems from the history of mathematics.
2. Problems from a 19th century American arithmetic text.
3. Problems from a 19th century Armenian arithmetic text.
Students demonstrated their work.
Regression: Theory and Application
Chad May, Coordinator of Institutional Research, Cabrini College
Monday, October 20, 2003
Regression is one of the most-used statistical techniques in all fields of research today. There are applications in fields ranging from the physical sciences to the social sciences and education. There are also many different forms of regression, such as multiple regression, logistic regression, and probit models, among others. This talk introduced the underlying mathematical theory of regression in general and expanded into one application of multiple regression with a model to interpret the results to give those who are familiar with this technique a refresher and those new to this technique an appreciation for the use of this technique in research.
Solar Activity and Sunspots
Joseph Smith, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Cabrini College
Monday, April 28, 2003
Discussion included solar activity and sunspots and, using a special filter, participants took turns looking through a telescope outside to try to observe sunspots.
The Early History of Computers
David DiMarco, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Neumann College
Monday, March 17, 2003
Dr. DiMarco described the history of calculating devices up to the time of Charles Babbage in the 19th century.
The Distribution of Decimals
John Brown, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Cabrini College
Monday, February 24, 2003
Let x be a real number and (x) be its decimal part so 0 ≤ (x) < 1
In this talk, Dr. Brown described how the values in a particular sequence are distributed and extended the results to other related sequences.
Look at What we Discovered About Mathematics and Computer Science on Stamps
Robert McGee, Associate Professor of Mathematics, Cabrini College
Gerald Satlow, Associate Professor of Information Science and Technology, Cabrini College
Monday, November 18, 2002
We have collected more than 1,000 stamps with mathematical themes. In this talk we discussed some of our favorites.
Codes of Our Life
Carol Serotta, Associate Professor of Mathematics, Cabrini College
Monday, October 21, 2002
What do the expiration dates on your credit cards, bar codes, ISBNs, checking accounts, and UPCs have in common? With just elementary school mathematics we can begin to understand some of the mysteries of the high tech codes of our lives.
Artificial Intelligence and the Genetic Equations
Adam Chalemian, Valley Forge Military Academy and College
Monday, May 6, 2002
Discussion of artificial intelligence and the connection between it and problem solving with the genetic model as compared to brute force
Cryptography
Eric Lubow, Valley Forge Military Academy and College
Monday, May 6, 2002
Various types of cryptography were discussed, along with their uses, history, and other related issues.
Vedic Mathematics
Ankur Makhija, Cabrini College
Monday, April 8, 2002
This presentation demonstrated a way of seeing mathematics in a new perspective using the ancient Indian Vedic mathematics laws.
The Logic of Lewis Carroll
Alison Colantonio and Lisa Meehan, Cabrini College
Monday, April 8, 2002
In this presentation, we will take a glimpse into the logic and mind of Lewis Carroll. He viewed logic as a game and, using examples from his book, we will play a game with logic.
Paradoxes in Probability
John Brown, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Cabrini College
Monday, March 11, 2002
Dr. Brown described some well-known and some recently publicized unexpected results in probability and statistics, including Simpson's paradox, the Monty Hall problem, the Hat Puzzle, and Parrondo's paradox.
Colorful Problems
Robert McGee, Associate Professor of Mathematics, Cabrini College
Bonnie Ganime, Mathematics Instructor, Cabrini College
Benjamin Bass, Cabrini College
Monday, December 3, 2001
We have collected over 1000 stamps with mathematical themes. In this talk we discussed some of our favorites.
An Introduction to Scientific Workplace
John Brown, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Cabrini College
Monday, October 29, 2001
Scientific Workplace is a combination of the mathematical typesetting program LaTex and the computer algebra program MAPLE. In this talk, Dr. Brown demonstrated the capabilities of Scientific Workplace and showed how it can be used in upper level mathematics courses.
Mathematics in the Movies
Chad May and Teresa Milliken, Cabrini College
Monday, April 30, 2001
A discussion about how mathematics and mathematicians are portrayed in films and stereotypes that exist
Game Theory and the Old Testament
Lisa Meehan and Abel Rodriguez
Monday, April 30, 2001
An overview of game theory and some applications in Biblical conflicts
Mathematics and Art: Some Connections
Robert McGee, Associate Professor of Mathematics, Cabrini College
Lisa Learner, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Cabrini College
Monday, March 26, 2001
Discussion about the paintings of Crockett Johnson, the subject of our talk at NCTM, as well as other intersections of mathematics and art
Why 00 is usually 1
John Brown, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Cabrini College
Monday, February 26, 2001
In the treatment of L'Hopital's rule and indeterminate forms given in calculus books, most examples of the indeterminate form 00 result in an answer of 1. In this talk, Dr. Brown explained why this is so.