Topology Conference at C.W. Post
Attracts World Renowned Mathematicians
More than 150 mathematicians and researchers from around the world are
gathering at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University August 4-7,
1999 to explore the latest developments in topology and its applications
in the 21st century.
Keynote speakers include:
- Mary Ellen Rudin, professor emeritus at the University of Wisconsin
at Madison and the world's foremost expert in set-theoretic topology who
gained fame for her ability to construct counterexamples. She has been
publishing for more than five decades.
- Robert Devaney of Boston University sailed in from New England
to lecture on Dynamical Systems, a significantly hot area of mathematical
research today. He has delivered nearly 1,000 lectures on this subject.
Over the last 60 years topology has come to play a major role in almost
all areas of mathematics. In its most basic form, topology is the study
of continuity that links algebra and geometry to other mathematical fields.
There are two main branches of topology. General - or Set-Theoretic - Topology
is essentially a study of "nearness." Its concepts lie at the
foundation of calculus. The second branch, Geometric Topology - sometimes
called "rubber-sheet geometry" - regards two objects as being
topologically equivalent, or homeomorphic, if one can be transformed into
the other by means of stretching, twisting, pulling, shrinking, bending,
etc. - but not cutting or tearing. For example, to a topologist a doughnut
and a coffee cup are indistinguishable. Topology ponders questions like:
- what is the boundary of an object?
- is the object connected, or does it consist of several components?
- are there holes in the object?
- is the object hollow?
- is the object bounded, or does it extend infinitely far?
"Topology is a fundamental area of mathematical research,"
said Dr. Rudin. "It's applications extend to numerous areas including
computer science, physics, biology and chemistry."
With support from a National Science Foundation grant, the conference
is host to 30 graduate students from around the globe, training for work
in the applications of topology.
For more information call the C.W. Post Public
Relations Office at (516) 299-2333 or e-mail pr@cwpost.liu.edu
or send mail to: Long Island University, C.W. Post Campus, 720 Northern
Blvd., Brookville, New York 11548-1300.
