Visiting professor and UR alumna to offer special section of MATH 323

Dr. Sarah Spence Adams, assistant professor of mathematics at the Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering, will be visiting UR as the Gaines Professor in Mathematics during the fall semester of 2008. Dr. Adams, a UR alumna, received her Ph.D. in mathematics from Cornell University and has worked for the National Security Agency. Her research involves algebraic coding theory, multi-antenna wireless communications systems, graph theory and discrete mathematics.

While visiting UR, Dr. Adams will teach a section of MATH 323: Discrete Mathematical Models. Her section will cover combinatorics (including advanced counting techniques), graph theory (including Hamiltonian and Euler circuits, trees, and graph colorings) and additional topics depending on the background and interests of the students. These additional topics might include elementary number theory, an introduction to group theory with applications to check-digit schemes, recurrence relations and/or combinatorial designs. Emphasis will be placed on creative problem solving, developing an appreciation for rigorous proofs and student-directed projects.

Prerequisites for the course are MATH 235, 245 or 250.

The class will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11:15 a.m. in 109 Jepson Hall.

Posted April 8, 2008