Math Club Colloquium

Welcome to the Math Club Colloquium pages! Here you will find a record of colloquium talks dating back to 2010. Talks are accessible to a broad audience of students and faculty in mathematics and related disciplines. It is usually held during common hour on Tuesdays from 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm, but the day, time and location does change so please note the details listed by each talk. 

Academic Year 2024 - 2025  (Club Homepage and Officers)

(Talks/Events are in chronological order. Please scroll to the end of the page to see upcoming Spring 2025 talks.)

FALL 2024

Tue Sep 10, 2024: Math Club Puzzles and Perspectives

Time: 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

Location: 1146 Ingersoll Hall

Tue Sep 24, 2024: Risk & Reward (New York Life Representatives)

Time: 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

Location: 336 New Ingersoll

Tuesday Oct 8, 2024: Heidi Goodson (Brooklyn College)

Time: 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

Location: 1146 Ingersoll Hall

Title: An Exploration of Curves Over Finite Fields

Abstract: Questions of how to find, count, and characterize points on curves have been studied since the days of Diophantus. Nearly 2000 years later, number theorists and arithmetic geometers are still fascinated by curves and are asking ever bigger and bolder questions. In this talk, I will define what it means to be a point on a curve over a finite field and attempt to answer the question "How many?" I'll discuss estimates, exact values, and surprising trends as the order of the field varies. This talk will be partly based on joint work with Brooklyn College math major Rezwan Hoque.

Thursday Oct 24, 2024: Diana Hubbard (Brooklyn College)

Time: 1:15 pm - 2:15 pm

Location: 1146 Ingersoll Hall

Title: The Wild World of Functions

Abstract: In precalculus, students learn about functions that take in one number and produce another number - functions with explicit formulas like f(x) = 3x. In the calculus courses that follow, students continue to learn more and more about this specific class of functions. But functions arise throughout mathematics in all kinds of weird and wonderful ways. In this talk, we'll expand our understanding of what a "function" can be and get a glimpse of how fundamental functions are in many different areas of math.

Thursday Nov 5, 2024:  Graduate School Connect

Time: 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

Location: 1146 Ingersoll Hall

Thursday Nov 7, 2024: Jeffrey Suzuki (Brooklyn College)

Time: 1:15 pm - 2:15 pm

Location: 1146 Ingersoll Hall

Title: Quaternions

Abstract: One of the reasons to study the history of mathematics is to gain insight on how to become a mathematician. One of the best examples of this process is Hamilton’s creation of quaternions. Hamilton’s goal was to introduce a second imaginary quantity and create a new type of number that satisfied the same properties.  We'll start with a brief history of complex numbers, then see how Hamilton's attempt to extend them led to a surprising discovery.

Thursday Nov 14, 2024: David Aulicino (Brooklyn College)

Time: 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm

Location: 1146 Ingersoll Hall

Title: Counting on Tori

Abstract: We will discuss counting and why it can be very hard. Specifically, we will consider a torus--an object in the shape of a donut. We will then consider various objects on it such as closed curves (loops), tripods, and, time permitting, graphs known as Steiner trees.

Thursday Nov 19, 2024: Christian Beneš (Brooklyn College)

Time: 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm

Location: 1146 Ingersoll Hall

Title: Some Fun Facts about Random Walk
Abstract: Random walk has been used for more than a century as a model for random motion in biology, physics, economics, and many other fields. In this talk, I will present some basic results for random walk which will address, in particular, the following questions: Why is it safer for humans to be inebriated than for butterflies? When playing roulette in a casino (if you must), which strategies should you adopt and which should you avoid? 

Thursday Nov 21, 2024: Joint Event with Chemistry Society

Time: 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm

Location: Amersfort Room in SUBO

During this event, students will have an opportunity to compete in a game modeled after the famous gameshow 'Jeopardy'. 

Tuesday Nov 26, 2024: Daniel Ginsberg (Brooklyn College)

Time: 1:15 pm - 2:15 pm

Location: 1146 Ingersoll Hall

Title: An Introduction to the Wave Equation

Abstract: The wave equation, first discovered by d'Alembert in 1746, is a fundamental model for the motion of waves and has applications in the studies of surface waves on the ocean, the formation and propagation of shock waves, general relativity, and many other areas of mathematical physics. In this talk, I will introduce this equation and discuss some of the basic features of one-dimensional wave propagation. We will also discuss some geometric features of three- and higher-dimensional waves, such as causality and the role of the Lorentz group. No background in differential equations will be assumed.

Tuesday Dec 3, 2024: Stephen Preston (Brooklyn College)

Time: 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm

Location: 1146 Ingersoll Hall

Title: A Tour of Geometric Statistics

Abstract: Probability distributions are defined by parameters, such as the mean and standard deviation. What is the most natural geometry on such spaces? This question is important for seeing how a distribution might evolve in time, or finding the average of a sampling of distributions. The most natural way to define a geometry is using the Fisher-Rao Riemannian metric, based on the Fisher information. I will show how this geometry looks in several examples. No prior knowledge of differential geometry or statistics will be assumed, but it will help if you have some familiarity with basic probability distributions like the binomial and Gaussian. 

Thursday Dec 5, 2024: Noson Yanofsky (Brooklyn College)

Time: 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm

Location: 1146 Ingersoll Hall

Title: Toy Marbles, Graphs, and Quantum Realms 

Abstract: Discover the fascinating world of quantum mechanics and quantum computing through a simple game of toy marbles rolling along the edges of a graph. This engaging analogy helps us grasp fundamental concepts such as superposition, measurement, and entanglement. We'll delve into the double-slit experiment, Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, Schrödinger's cat, and qubits. The only requirement for this talk is to know how to multiply a matrix with a vector! 

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SPRING 2025

Thursday Feb 20, 2025: Mark Gibson (Brooklyn College)

Time: 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm

Location: 1146 Ingersoll Hall

Title: Classifying Surfaces: A Topological Perspective
Abstract: This talk offers an accessible introduction to the topological classification of surfaces. We will begin by defining what a surface is and exploring three key topological invariants: boundary, Euler characteristic, and orientability. These invariants, together, completely determine a surface (up to homeomorphism). We will then uncover a classification theorem for closed surfaces, revealing that any such surface is fundamentally a sphere, a connected sum of tori, or a connected sum of projective planes. This talk is designed for students of all levels.

Thursday Feb 20, 2025: Jeff Suzuki (Brooklyn College)
Time: 12:15 - 2:00 PM
Location: New Ingersoll 330

Title: Fun with Permutations

Abstract: Given a set of objects, a permutation is some rearrangement of the objects. If we view the permutation as a function, we can create an "algebra of rearrangements" to study how the rearrangement occurs: a permutation group. We'll look at some permutation groups that have shown up in poetry, dance, and on network television.

Thursday Mar 13, 2025: Pi Day Celebration
Time: 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Location: 1310 Ingersoll Hall

The BC Math Club, School of Natural and Behavior Sciences Office of the Dean, and the Mathematics Department's Outreach Committee are sponsoring a celebration of Pi Day. There will be pizza, fruit pies, activities, and various fun competitions with prizes.  

Tuesday Mar 18, 2025: Yechezkel Steiner (Brooklyn College)
Time: 12:30 - 2:00 PM
Location: Ingersoll 1146

Title: Beyond the Limits of Calculus
Abstract: This talk is about limits as a theme across different branches of mathematics. In calculus, a limit can be thought of as the optimal solution obtained as the distance to a point is brought towards zero. This allows us to compute quantities such as derivatives and integrals. More broadly, we can conceive of a limit as providing the 'optimal' or 'closest' solution to some problem. In this talk, we will explore how this broader idea of a limit appears as a constant and unifying theme across different branches of mathematics. A background in linear algebra, group theory, or topology would be helpful, though

Tuesday Mar 25, 2025: Career Panel (Brooklyn College)
Time: 12:30 - 2:00 PM
Location: Ingersoll Ext 148

The mathematics department is delighted to host a career panel. All are welcome, whether you’re in your first semester at Brooklyn College or your last! The panel will feature four Brooklyn College alumni who earned majors or minors from the mathematics department:

• Margaret Cagara, Strategist and Lead Data Analyst at Artemis Connection

• Dr. Emmanuel Ekwedike, Business and Marketing Data Scientist at Google

• David Jahn, Software Engineer at MongoDB

• Sanford Wilson, P&C Actuarial Consultant at Oliver Wyman

Please join us to hear their stories, learn about the doors a math degree can open for you, and get advice on how to make the most of your time at Brooklyn College and land that first job after graduation!

Thursday Mar 27, 2025: Pi Mu Epsilon Induction Ceremony

Time: 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm

Location: 148 New Ingersoll

The New York Gamma Chapter of Pi Mu Epsilon (PME) has been reactivated at Brooklyn College. Pi Mu Epsilon is a national honor society in mathematics recognizing talent and ambition for mathematical excellence. To qualify for membership, you must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Completed at least two semesters of calculus and completed two additional math courses at, or above, the calculus level that count toward a major in the mathematical sciences

2. Maintained at least a 3.0 GPA in all mathematics courses required for the major

3. Maintained at least an overall 3.0 GPA in all courses required for an undergraduate degree.

There’s a one-time initiation fee of $30, which includes a lifetime PMU membership and a one-year subscription to the PMU Journal.

Tuesday April 1, 2025:  Liem Nguyen

Time: 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm

Location: 1146 Ingersoll

Title: The Mathematics of Dance

Abstract: Many mathematical structures and concepts arise naturally in dances. In this talk, we’ll look at the presence of mathematics in various dance forms and movements. We’ll also explore how mathematical ideas can be applied to create and inspire new choreography.

(Joint with the Computer Science Club)

Tuesday April 3, 2025:  Drew Parker (Sandbox Quantum)

Time: 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm

Location: 330 New Ingersoll

Title: From Calculus to Conversation: Inside LLMs
Abstract: This talk explores the mathematical foundations and evolutionary trajectory of Large Language Models (LLMs). We begin by examining the pre-training mechanics—how models learn to predict tokens through probability distributions and gradient descent optimization across vast corpora of human language. We'll investigate why these statistical approaches to language processing present unique challenges for mathematical reasoning, where symbolic manipulation differs fundamentally from natural language processing.

We will further explore fine-tuning’s effects on model behavior as well as reinforcement learning’s efforts to redirect models toward human-aligned responses. We'll analyze the architecture of model conversations, examining system prompts and model responses, while considering the technical challenges in maintaining alignment.

We'll conclude by exploring the formal reasoning capabilities of modern LLMs and the emerging paradigm of AI agents, offering practical strategies for effectively communicating with these systems. Throughout, we'll provide a balanced perspective on both the capabilities and limitations of LLMs, offering insights valuable to anyone interested in the intersection of mathematics, computer science, and artificial intelligence.

Tuesday April 10, 2025:  Student Talks

Time: 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm

Location: 1146 Ingersoll

Lise Augustin: Tackling Academia

Nana Kiziriya: Collatz Conjecture

Tuesday April 22, 2025:  Jonathan Schacter

Time: 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm

Location: 330 New Ingersoll

Title: Model Risk Management: A Textbook for Financial Engineers

Tuesday April 24, 2025: Andrew Will (Brooklyn College)

Time: 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm

Location: 330 New Ingersoll

Title: A Winding Journey Through Mathematical Thought

Distinguished Lecture Series
Thursday May 1, 2025: Steven Strogatz (Cornell University

Time: 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm

Location: 148 New Ingersoll

Title: Infinite Powers: The Story of Calculus

Professor Strogatz is the Susan and Barton Winokur Distinguished Professor for the Public Understanding of Science and Mathematics at Cornell University, and he has authored many articles in the New York Times as well as several prize-winning books. He has won numerous awards, including the AAAS Public Engagement with Science Award in 2013 for his exceptional commitment to and passion for conveying the beauty and importance of mathematics to the general public. 

In this talk, Professor Strogatz will try to clarify the fantastic idea at the heart of calculus. With the help of pictures and stories, he’ll trace where calculus came from and then show how it—in partnership with medicine, philosophy, science, and technology—reshaped the course of civilization and helped make the world modern. This talk is intended for everyone, whether you’ve taken calculus or not, and whether you like math or not! By the end, Prof. Strogatz hopes to convince you that calculus is one of the greatest triumphs of human creativity ever.

Following his talk at 1:30 PM, Prof. Strogatz will engage in a student-centered discussion intended primarily for students to engage directly with him in the seminar room (IG 1146).