It's on! Brown Bag Lunch Wed Noon, Theory Lab

Hi All,
I received only positive feedback on this idea, so I'm going to run with it.

This Wednesday, join us for lunch (bring your own, preferably in a brown bag) at Noon, in the Theory Lab, ECS 642.

CS Theory or related topics and problems are appreciated, but not required. Everyone, including faculty and those with only a passing interest in CS Theory, is welcome.

http://compthry.blogspot.com/

Alejandro

CS Theory and Math Seminar Wed Oct 6, 1:30 pm ECS642

Hi All,
You are invited to attend this continuing, sporadic, informal and relaxing student seminar. Please let me know if you can bring a snack or drinks - reimbursement is available courtesy of the Canadian Mathematical Society. Also, let me know if you can organize the next one in a couple of weeks (or three or four...).

Mohammad is a student in our department.

Modal Logic and Reasoning About Knowledge by Mohammad Hajiabadi.

Abstract: In this presentation, we will talk about modal logic and change of
information. Specifically, we will look at “Dynamic Epistemic Logic” and explore some interesting problems concerning certainty of knowledge and common knowledge that can be modeled in this setting. When developing some logic, the first question that arises is how we can present a “sound” and “complete” logical system ( deduction system) for it . We will formally define these terms in our talk and will consider some Hilbert – Style proof system for propositional modal logics. Finally, we will review the differences between “knowledge” and “Belief” and will see how we can axiomatize these notions in the logic.

Cheers,
Alejandro Erickson

Russel Campbell Wed June 9, 2:30pm ECS642 on Scalar Vector Graphics

Hi All,
We will continue with the theme of web publishing with guest speaker

Russel Campbell
Wed June 9, 2:30pm ECS642.

Russel will talk about Scalar Vector Graphics (SVG). Here is a beautiful example of what can be done with SVG http://www.maa.org/joma/volume7/lane/UnitCirc.svg.

Abstract:
Scalar Vector Graphics (SVG) is the ISO web standard for 2D graphics. We will take a quick look at the SVG ISO working group homepage on the web. Then to some SVG examples published by the MAA (mathematics association of america). Very brief introduction to an SVG file with explanation of a few tags.

Extensible 3D (X3D) is the ISO web standard for 3D graphics. We will look at the Web3D Consortium homepage, which is the ISO working group for X3D. An example of scripting an X3D file with Java will be shown, where spheres are made to follow the well known Lorenz attractor defined by a system of differential equations. The animation is real-time, and can be viewed from any angle, so it is quite hypnotic to interact with. Again, a very brief introduction to an X3D file with explanation of a few tags.

We are looking for someone to bring/make/bake refreshments (reimbursement provided, no receipt necessary) and also someone to make and distribute a poster (asap. this didn't happen last week and attendance was very low). PLEASE contact me about this asap

Follow these updates on the blog http://compthry.blogspot.com/

Cheers,
Alejandro

Wednesday May 26, 2:30, ECS642

Forum: Showcasing your CS Theory and Math ideas on the Internet.

Part of our job is to sell our ideas. There are several mediums we should use, but a particularly important and challenging one is the Internet. The potential size of your audience in enormous and there seem to be an endless number of ways to present your work. We'll talk about this during our forum on Wednesday May 26, at 2:30 after a brief primer by myself*. Topics will include some or all of the following:

- Identifying your audience and purpose behind Internet publishing. Is it for self promotion? Are you making tools for other students? For researchers? Do you want to generate interest in your research area?

- Identifying the material you want to publish.

- Available tools, their usefulness and learning curve. For example Wordpress websites, Flash, Javascript, HTML5

- Confronting the web development:
Maximize (the quality of your publications) subject to
x <= what you can do or learn
x >=0

- Sharing examples of interesting examples of CS Theory and Math homepages, as well as more substantial projects.

- Reaching your audience with search results and such.

*I don't, by any means, have the answers to these questions, and my own internet footprint and publishing skills are modest. I have a recently acquired informal knowledge of Joomla (like wordpress), Flash and mysql, the current state of which can be found at http://alejandroerickson.com/ .

Mission statement and News

Hi All,
This seminar will start up again in the Summer semester. Two news items

1. The CMS Student Committee has granted us $125 in funding!

2. I'm looking for someone else to organize (or help me organize) the next few sessions.

The seminar is still searching for topics that interest what may be a too broad an audience, so I would like to clarify the seminar's mission and solicit your help to achieve that.

The seminar should strengthen social and academic connections among CS Theory students and also between them and the Discrete Math group (in the math department). Tighter social connections with like minded students is very encouraging and often vital to our success. Believing our work is significant and/or interesting is extremely motivating. We can achieve this by showing it to our peers, and hearing their interest, suggestions and criticisms. I would really like to see CS Theory students and Discrete Math students share their research at the seminar, even if it is a very superficial or brief explanation.

So, please, help me champion this cause by attending the next seminar, offering your help and making suggestions on how to run it. :)

Alejandro

Hostage Chess

Hi All,
I look forward to seeing you this week! See below.

Cheers,
Alejandro
Math and CS Theory Problem Solving Seminar

Hostage Chess
Presentated by its originator, John Leslie on Wednesday, March 10 at 11:30 in ECS 642. Bring chess sets so we can all try it.

Brought to you by the
Math and CS Problem Solving Seminar

“Probably the most remarkable chess variant of the last fifty years. Captured men are hostages that can be exchanged. Play is rarely less than exciting, sometimes with several reversals of fortune. Dramatic mates are the rule, not the exception. ”
— D.B.Pritchard, author of "The Encyclopedia of Chess Variants” and retired International Master.

Hostage chess has a much larger decision tree than regular chess and it offers some open problems that we can expect to hear about on Wednesday.

Go to http://compthry.blogspot.com/ to stay up to date and email ate@uvic.ca to be added to the mailing list. This informal seminar happens at the same time every two weeks on our couches in the new CS Theory lab. Contact us with bits of research or fun problems you would like to share your thoughts about!

Call for speakers

Hi All,
Apologies to those who get this email twice. Thank you to all those who came to the puzzle's and games day. You are welcome to bring puzzles and games and play with them during whatever else we are doing!

We are looking for people who would like to share twenty minutes of their research with an informal chalk talk. The next meeting is

Wednesday, Feb 24 at 11:30AM in ECS642,

unless there is strong opposition from people who would like to attend. After the talks there will be discussion, refreshments and puzzles and games.

Please write to me if you want to speak. We welcome any Math and CS flavoured research from students or professors in any department. An announcement will go out when a speaker is confirmed.

Cheers,
Alejandro Erickson
stay updated at http://compthry.blogspot.com/

image credit