Oral Talk Project
Overview
My goal is for you to explore some area of mathematics or computer science that is of interest to you.
You will give a 10-15 minute talk on a topic related to mathematics or computer science
that you find interesting.
This talk must be distinct from a similar talk you may have given for another course.
You should come see me to make sure you topic meets the course requirements.
The scope of the talk is up to you, but I suggest some of
the following:
- Colloquium Topic
- Expand and further explore a colloqouim topic from this semester or even a previous semester.
- Topic Review
- Identify a collection of sources on a topic and write a summary article on the topic.
- Paper Review
- Take a peer-reviewed research journal article you find interesting and summarize the interesting points.
- Course Topic
- Write about a topic from one of your favorite courses, but not covered in that course. For example,
considering writing about a topic touched on in a homework problem or in a chapter not covered.
- Historical Biography
- Write a biography of a famous mathematician or computer scientist.
- Classical Problem
- Write about a classical mathematics or computer science problem that had a significant impact on the field.
- Popular Press Book Summary
- Write about a popular press mathematics or computer science book summarizing the important points of the book.
- Honors Thesis Prospectus
- Outline your plans for an honors thesis.
- Research Plans
- Provide detailed plans of a FURSCA or other research project you plan to perform.
- Detailed Proof
- Provide a detailed proof of a mathematical theorem that goes beyond the scope of material in our undergraduate courses, but aimed at students in the audience.
- Project Summary
- Provide a detailed account of a FURSCA project, directed study, internship, or research project you have conducted.
- Math/CS Contest Problem
- Start with an interesting problem from either a mathematics contest (Putnam, MATH Challenge, LMMC, etc)
or computer science contest (ACM, Denison, etc).
Solve the problem completely and correctly. Generalize the problem and provide a solution to the generalized problem.
Your paper will include an overview of the problem, why it is interesting, why your generalization is nontrvial,
and your solutions to the both the original and generalized problems.
Deliverables
A paragraph (roughly 200 words) describing the topic and
scope of your paper
must be sent via email to me by the due date.
You should include a statement of the importance of the topic and
why it is of interest to you.
After reading
your proposal, I may suggest you broaden, narrow, or possibly
change your topic.
Once your topic is agreed upon, you will need to consult me
regarding any changes you might want to make later in the term.
You will need to create slides using LaTeX (with the beamer package).
Students opting for a chalkboard talk will need prepare LaTeX notes.
Harcopies of slides or notes need to be delivered to me in advance of your talk.
I strongly encourage you to prctive your talk and I am happy to critique your talk in advance.
Yout talk!
References
- Public Speaking
- Technically Speaking
A website that is the outcome of a project designed to improve the oral communication skills of undergraduate mathematics and related STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) students.
The project developed a series of video vignettes that portrayed student-actors presenting a small portion of a mathematical talk, roughly 30-90 seconds in length. In each set of vignettes, the student would give two ways to present an idea: one with shortcomings, the second correcting these shortcomings.
These are based on the following article.
- Advice on Giving a Good PowerPoint Presentation, Joseph Gallian, Math Horizons 13, April 2006.
- Online Databases
- ACM Portal
The ACM portal allows searching of
the ACM Digital Library, containing full text of every article ever published by ACM,
and
the Guide to Computing Literature,
containing bibliographic citations from major publishers in computing.
- MathSciNet
MathSciNet is an electronic publication offering access to a carefully maintained
and easily searchable database of reviews, abstracts and bibliographic information
for much of the mathematical sciences literature.
- Journals and Other Sources for Topics
- Computer Science
- ACM Crossroads Student Magazine
- Byte.com
- Communications of the ACM
- Computer
- Computerworld
- PC World
- CNET News.com
- Mathematics
- MAA Math Horizons
- MAA Online Columns
- AMS: What's New in Mathematics
- Plus magazine
- The Harvard College Mathematics Review
- The Rose Hulman Institute's Undergraduate Mathematics Journal
- The Furman University Electronic Journal of Undergraduate Mathematics
- The Morehead Electronic Journal of Applicable Mathematics
- The College Mathematics Journal
- Mathematics Magazine
- American Mathematical Monthly
- The College Mathematics Journal
- Pi Mu Epsilon Journal
- PRIMUS: Problems, Resources, and Issues in Mathematics Undergraduate Study
- The Pentagon: The Official Journal of Kappa Mu Epsilon
- The Mathematical Intelligencer
- Communications in Visual Mathematics
- The UMAP Journal: Undergraduate Mathematics and Its Applications
- General Science
- American Scientist
- NewScientist
- Computers & Math News from ScienceDaily
- Scientific American
Talk to your professors for other ideas!
This is an opportunity for you to delve into an area that fascinates you.
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