NC State MathNews January 2009

2008 in Review by Loek Helminck, Head, Mathematics Department

The year 2008 was an especially eventful one for the NC State
Mathematics Department

If you’ve been to campus recently, you’ve probably noticed the new building going up on the old Riddick Stadium site. It will be the home of the Mathematics and Statistics Departments. The building will feature state-of-the-art classrooms and other facilities. After 47 years in Harrelson Hall, we are looking forward to moving in Spring 2009.

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The Story Behind the New Mathematics-Statistics Building by Professor Emeritus Nick Rose

Harrelson Hall, built in 1962, is a general classroom building that houses the Department of Mathematics in the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences (PAMS) and parts of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHASS). Harrelson Hall is a large cylindrical building that is a landmark on the NC State University north campus. Despite it's striking external appearance, Harrelson Hall was badly in need of renovation.

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Computer Labs for Non-Euclidean Geometry by Assistant Professor Irina Kogan

In a series of books called Elements, which appeared around 300 BC, Euclid of Alexandria systematized many facts about geometric figures and numbers that were known at the time into a consistent mathematical theory. Postulates, i.e., statements accepted without proof, form the foundation of Euclid's work; all other facts are derived using logic. This approach became a paradigm for presenting mathematics that is still followed today.

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Research Training Group in Mathematics of Materials by Professor Ralph Smith

What do artificial cartilage, pharmaceutical dispensers, nanotechnology, atomic force microscopes, and laser welding have in common? All rely on the mathematics of materials for fundamental analysis and to achieve novel designs and advanced performance.

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Receptions for Alumni and Friends

The Mathematics Department held receptions for alumni and friends at the Joint Mathematics Meetings in San Diego in January 2008, at the SIAM national meeting in San Diego in July 2008, and at the Joint Mathematics Meetings in Washington in January 2009. We plan to make these receptions annual events at the national meetings. They are a great opportunity to meet old friends and hear about recent events in the Department.

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