The Catawba College Math Department will host the second annual regional Research Undergraduate Mathematics Conference (CAT-RUM 2012), sponsored in part by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) and NSF-RUMC.

At CAT-RUM, undergraduate students have the opportunity to:

1. present their mathematical research
2. hear about other undergraduate research
3. talk to students with similar interests from other colleges

Overview:

• The Research Undergraduate Mathematics Conference will feature contributed undergraduate research talks (15 minutes in length).
  
  
• It is an excellent opportunity for students in Capstone courses, Research courses and courses with a writing component to present their work.
  
  
• Since CAT-RUM is held mid-semester, the students may present preliminary results.
  
  
• Undergraduates from disciplines other than mathematics (biology, chemistry, ecology, statistics, economics, physics, etc.) are invited to present research applying mathematics to their discipline.
  
  
• All undergraduate students with mathematical interests are invited to hear the talks, whether or not they make a presentation.
  
  
• Refreshments and lunch will be provided.

Keynote Speaker

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Thierry Zell, Lenoir-Rhyne University
"How to make $1 million using Mathematics"
One of the hardest ways to use mathematics to make a million dollars: solve the P vs NP question, which is on the list of the Clay Mathematics Institute Millenium Prize Problems. This problem is, without a doubt, the fundamental question in computational complexity theory. It  has a surprisingly simple statement, yet the basic ideas that underlie it are often misunderstood. This talk is meant to clarify the framework of this enigma of pure mathematics which is also at the heart of modern science (not just computer science!).

SCHEDULE

• View Conference Schedule »

LOCATION

CAT-RUM 2012 will be held in the Ketner Building, Catawba College, Salisbury, NC 28144

REGISTRATION

There are limited travel funds to help support students who cannot receive travel funding from their home institution. Travel funds will be awarded in the order of receipt of registrations until depleted. To register, e-mail Dr. Paul Baker at pbaker@catawba.edu by Thursday, February 23, 2012 with the following:

Presenters provide:

• Presenter's Name
• Presentation Title
• Brief Abstract
• School Name
• Advisor's Name
• Presentation Needs (Computer Overhead, Regular Overhead, etc.) Note: Mac users need to bring a DVI-VGS (or mini-DVI-VGA) adaptor
• If a presenter needs more than 15 minutes, indicate that and two time slots will be allotted

• Name, Name of School and Advisor or Advisee

For more information or to register, contact Dr. Paul Baker at pbaker@catawba.edu

Funding for CAT-RUM 2012 is provided by NSF grant DMS-0846477 through the MAA Regional Undergraduate Mathematics Conferences program, www.maa.org/RUMC