Special REU Presentations
Introduction to Numerical Monoids and My PURE Math 2014 Experience
Meghan Malachi
This summer I spent five weeks as a Pacific Undergraduate Research Experience (PURE) Math intern at the University of Hawai’i at Hilo. I was introduced to the Factorization Theory of Numerical Monoids. Numerical monoids are co-finite, additive subsets of the set of natural numbers. Factorization theory of numerical monoids has recently become a pivotal as well as lucrative topic in mathematical research, as numerical monoids are non-unique factorization domains; there are several invariants for measuring how many ways to factor a particular element in a numerical monoid. These non-unique factorizations provided a basis for my team’s research on irreducibility and primality within numerical monoids. This talk will provide an introduction to numerical monoids, a presentation of my research team’s ultimate findings on primality, and a brief description of my overall experience with PURE Math this summer.
A Semester of Mathematics in Budapest
Tucker Kibbee
“Clearly, the Hungarian educational system has been the most successful for pure mathematics; it’s a model that ought to be studied very carefully because it works.” – Donald Knuth, Two Year College Mathematics Journal, Vol. 13
This past spring, I studied abroad in a math program called Budapest Semesters in Mathematics (BSM). The talk will involve a complete (and hopefully not too nostalgic) overview of the program and my stay in Budapest, including courses, professors, food, drink, and fun. I will have veteran tips for the aspiring BSM-er as well as some funny stories and some not-so-funny stories that should entertain those who have returned from their study abroad and instruct those yet to embark. BSM is a unique program in a unique city, and in my talk I will try to do justice to the cultural and educational experience that was my semester in Budapest.
