SectionNExT – Wisconsin Fall Conference 2016
Saturday, November 5, 2016
8:30 – 9:00 am:Refreshments and Social Hour
9:00 – 9:30 am:SectionNExT – Wisconsin Welcome Addressand Discussion– Eric Eager, University of Wisconsin La Crosse
9:30 – 10:30 am:Measuring Success in Curricular and Pedagogical Design – AminulHuq, University of Minnesota - Rochester
Abstract: I believe all of us have a natural tendency to innovate in our curricular and pedagogical design in order to improve. In this struggle for improvement it is important for us to realize that evidence based design will lead us to better outcomes and provide grounds for others to follow. I'm interested to share some of my struggles, coming into math education research from a purely disciplinarian word, from failures to success in incorporating and measuring various innovations in introductory statistics and mathematics courses such as group exam, team teaching, examining threshold concepts, cross disciplinary projects, etc. through surveys, case studies and assessment data.
10:30 – 11:30 am:Question and Answer Session – AminulHuq
11:30 – 1:30 pm:Break for Lunch
1:30 – 3:30 pm: Member Presentations
A Fast ADI Algorithm for Nonlinear Poisson Equations In Heterogenous Dielectric Media – Wufeng Tian, University of Wisconsin – Barron County
A nonlinear Poisson equation has been introduced to model nonlinear and nonlocal hyperpolarization effects in electrostatic solute-solvent interaction for biomolecular solvation analysis. Due to a strong nonlinearity associated with the heterogeneous dielectric media, this Poisson model is difficult to solve numerically, particularly for large protein systems. A new pseudo-transient continuation approach is proposed in this project to efficiently and stably solve the nonlinear Poisson equation. A Douglas type alternating direction implicit (ADI) method is developed for solving the pseudo-time dependent Poisson equation. Different approximations to the dielectric profile in heterogeneous media are considered in the standard finite difference discretization. The proposed ADI scheme is validated by considering benchmark examples with exact solutions and by solvation analysis of real biomolecules with various sizes. Numerical results are in good agreement with the theoretical prediction, experimental measurements, and those obtained from the boundary value problem approach. Since the time stability of the proposed ADI scheme can be maintained even using very large time increments, it is efficient for electrostatic analysis involving hyperpolarization effects.
Industrial Mathematics from Scratch – Chad Vidden, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
1.5 years ago, myself and acolleague set out to build an industrial math emphasis at UW-La Crosse. Starting with 1 small project, we have built a working relationship with more than a dozen local companies, started a machine learning student research group, and eventually culminated in piloting a formal industrial math course. In this talk, I will share our approach including the many benefits to our students and department.
Exploring Math Explorations- Holly Attenborough, University of Wisconsin - Platteville
Mathematical Explorations is a course at UW-Platteville that meets the general education math requirement, without being the usual algebra fare. It enhances the critical thinking skills of the students and exposes them to higher-level mathematics, but as a first year level course. The topics I choose for the course are Number Theory, Set Theory and Graph Theory and I use group work activities to lead the students through explorations of results of Euclid, Euler, Mersenne, and Cantor. The results have been very positive as the students who think they hate math get excited to find the next perfect number, different sizes of infinity and Eulerian graphs.I will use this talk to discuss my implementation of the course at UW-Platteville.
Undergraduate Research in Mathematical Biology at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse – Eric Eager, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
In this talk we provide an overview of undergraduate research undergone at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse (UW-L) at the interface between mathematics and biology. Example undergraduate projects ranging from the modeling and analysis of swimmer’s itch to the development of Boolean networks to explain the bistability found in the germ layer formation of salamanders and frogs will be discussed. The results of various externally-funded opportunities, such as the Collaboration on Riverine Ecology (CORE), Center for Undergraduate Research in Mathematics (CURM) and Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) in Mathematical Ecology at UW-L will also be discussed.
3:30pm:Break for Dinner/Break for the Evening
Sunday, November 6, 2016
8:00 – 8:30 am:Refreshments and Social Hour
8:30 – 10:30 am:Undergraduate Research or Research with Undergraduates? – Robert Allen, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
Is it feasible to try to conduct research with undergraduates? What does undergraduate research look like? What are typical deliverables of undergraduate research? Do I have time for research with undergraduates? There are many questions that come to mind when considering undergraduate research, and by no means is the above list exhaustive. I will discuss the many facets of undergraduate research (or research with undergraduates) through the lens of my personal experience of conducting undergraduate research for the past 6 years of my career. This talk is to serve as a spring board for conversations about how and why to implement undergraduate research in your scholarship and/or teaching activities
10:30 – 11:00 am:Member Discussion: Direction of SectionNExT – Wisconsin
11:00 am – 12:00 pm: Break for Lunch/Home