Math Monday, Pi Day!, BMT Meeting, and more

[Berkeley MUSA]

Hi all,

Make sure you've sprung forward so you can attend this week's events! 

Math Monday: Monday, March 12, 4pm (1015 Evans)

Note the change in time and location.

Title:  What is a quantum metric space?

Speaker: Professor Marc Rieffel

Abstract: I will indicate some issues in high-energy quantum physics that suggest the need for a definition of a “quantum metric space”, and then I will proceed to show how to obtain a useful definition, concentrating on “compact” (and “finite”) ones. I will indicate many examples. If time allows, I will also indicate how to define the distance between compact quantum metric spaces, with examples. This is a relatively new topic, with many aspects remaining to be explored. Useful background for my talk is Math 104, 110, and a bit of 113, but this is not necessary. No physics background is needed (though it would be a bit helpful).

Pi Day Celebration: Wednesday, 3/14, 6pm (732 Evans)

To celebrate the annual approximation of pi, 3/14, we'll be hosting a trivia night! We'll have small teams competing in traditional "pub style" trivia similar to our Halloween trivia night from last semester. Come and enjoy some pancakes and pie while fighting for glory and somewhat adequate and transcendental prizes. Be sure to study up on all things relating to this irrational number.

Berkeley Math Tournament Meeting: Thursday, March 15, 6pm (1015 Evans)

For those who don't know, BMT is not a variation of a BLT sandwich, but rather the annual Berkeley Math Tournament. Basically, we invite hundreds of high schoolers to swarm the campus and take tricky, challenging math tests that we designed. This major event is always looking for more volunteers, such as check-in helpers, souvenir sellers, exam proctors, speakers, and even campus tour guides. 

This year's BMT will be held on Sunday, March 18th, 2018. If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out 

bit.ly/bmt2018, and attend the meeting on Thursday.

 As always, BMT will provide free breakfast, free lunch, and free dinner that day, as well as a free shirt for all volunteers! If you have friends who might be interested in volunteering, please help us spread the word!

Logic for Undergrads:

While the previous President concluded that the field of mathematical logic was a scam, my opinion hasn't been fully developed yet. In light of this, I would like to share a great opportunity for anyone interested in logic, which is basically the study of the validity of arguments. In a mathematical setting, logic studies how arguments are carried out in mathematical proofs or how mathematical objects are studied. In mathematical logic, there are 4 main aspects: model theory, set theory, recursion theory, and proof theory. If you went to the Math Monday seminar a few weeks ago featuring logician grad student James Walsh, you know a little bit of proof theory!

So, are you a reasonable, rational undergrad interested in learning more logic? One of our members, Java Villano, is organizing a mailing list to send out events and potential get-togethers for undergrad logicians. Please fill out the form at https://tinyurl.com/undergradlogic if you're interested! People of any expertise are welcome to fill out the form! 

Shadow a Math Major Volunteers:

Please sign up to volunteer for Shadow a Math Major Day if you haven't already! You can sign up using this form. Volunteer sign-ups will close March 30. This is a great way to get more involved with MUSA and the math community.

WiM Presents Alex Carney: Monday, March 12, 6pm (1015 Evans)

Alex Carney, a graduate student, will be speaking on Local and Global Geometry in Number Theory. Here is the Facebook event.

Applied Predictive Technologies Case Competition: March 14-16

Are you interested in consulting??????????????? There's an APT case competition happening this week; check out this link for more info. Teams of 3-5 or individuals (who will be placed on a team) are encouraged to register for a chance to win $1000, dinner with APT-ers, and an interview at APT.

Math of Misinformation REU: See attached flyer.

Best,

Ryan Shaw

--

To join our email list visit <https://groups.google.com/a/lists.berkeley.edu/forum/#!forum/musa> or send an empty email to <musa+su...@lists.berkeley.edu>. Alternatively, feel free to stop by 938 Evans Hall Monday through Friday from 10am to 4pm during the semester or visit our website at <http://musa.berkeley.edu> to find out about our events and how to get involved.