MCSP > RESEARCH

Student Research & Scholarship

Larisa Greve ‘09
Major: Mathematics
Hometown: Park Ridge, Ill.

Knot Theory
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Jonathan Simon, professor of mathematics, University of Iowa Since proteins’ form follows function, the goal of this project was to devise mathematical ways of quantifying shape. Some research has already been done in this area, incorporating other mathematical areas, but not much has been done using knot theory. Therefore, this research focused on devising computer programs to calculate various numerical quantifiers from knot theory. Space coordinate data of actual proteins was then input into the program and a comparison was made between how accurately the quantifiers described the similarities and differences in the shapes of the proteins.

Ashley Kieler ‘09
Majors: German/Computer Science
Hometown: Spring Green, Wis.

Understanding Mathematics Tutoring Dialogue
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Michael Glass, assistant professor of computer science, Valparaiso University As part of building dialogue-based computer tutors for mathematics, the project worked on developing the techniques for computer understanding of student utterances. During the course of a tutoring conversation students can perform discourse actions such as checking whether some idea is true, asking a question, expressing confusion, and so on. Examining transcripts of tutoring sessions, this project worked on software methods for guessing the intentions behind a student’s utterance.

David Kordahl ‘08
Majors: Mathematics/Physics/Applied Music
Hometown: Sioux Center, Iowa

Physics REU, Indiana University, Summer 2007
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Shyh-Yuan Lee, professor of physics, Indiana University Computational Physics and Chaos Theory The Lorenz equation is often used as one of Chaos Theory’s classic examples. Derived from a severely truncated form of the Saltzman convection equations, it was first used by Edward Lorenz in an attempt to explain why, despite the apparently quasi-deterministic laws underlying weather patterns, globally unpredictable behavior persists. In this re-examination, computational models were employed to examine the Lorenz equation’s parametric dependence by using a fourth-order Runge-Kutta scheme for numerical integration. The Lorenz equation was expanded about its fixed points to find that the growth rate and eigenfrequency of the linearized system predict its stability threshold and intermittency.

Tim Schwickerath ‘08
Majors: Mathematics/Mathematics Education Hometown: New Hampton, Iowa

Joee Williams ‘08
Majors: Mathematics/Mathematics Education Hometown: Newton, Iowa

Historical Roots of Math and Physics in Germany
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Brian Birgen, associate professor of mathematics
Presented at the Iowa Section of the Mathematical Association of America, Drake University In May 2006, a class of thirteen students and Dr. Brian Birgen from Wartburg College toured Germany and examined math and physics from a historical perspective. The class toured various museums and universities all around Germany. The class also explored the German culture through home stays and other experiences. Two students from the class share and discuss highlights of their experiences.