Speaker: Scotty  Groth

Abstract:  Legendre polynomials were first discovered/formalized by Adrien-Marie Legendre in 1782. They arise naturally as coefficients when modeling systems involving gravitational potential, electric potential, and several other settings of interest in physics. Applications aside, Legendre polynomials as an object of pure math provide a rich bounty of questions worth investigating. One question in particular -- are all Legendre polynomials (beyond trivial factors) always irreducible?
Suppose one wants to determine if a polynomial \(f(x)\in Q [x]\)  is irreducible. Of course, there are several methods for such a task. One method is through Newton polygons.
In this talk, we give a brief overview of Newton Polygons, and how they relate to the factorization of polynomials over \(Q\). Further, we discuss how Newton Polygons can be used in addressing the irreducibility of Legendre Polynomials.

Speaker: Pankaj Singh

Abstract: Tropical geometry is a combinatorial analogue of algebraic geometry. In this talk we will use weighted metric graphs with legs to study the topological properties of a particular subset of the moduli space of tropical curves called the  double ramification (DR) cycles  A substantial amount of work has been done on the algebraic double ramification cycle since it was introduced

Speaker: Bailey Heath

Abstract: The problem of bounding the size or complexity of certain algebraic objects is a natural one, and in this talk we discuss the maximal orders of finite groups of integral matrices.   This problem was completed in 2006 thanks, in part, to the classification of finite simple groups.  After briefly discussing these results, we will explore Friedland's 1997 (mostly) elementary proof of the answer for sufficiently large dimensions.

Speaker: Alexandros Kalogirou

Abstract: We narrow down the possibilities for exact and almost exact coverings of the integers by arithmetic progressions.

Speaker: Aditya Iyer

Abstract: Demi-primes are integers that, when doubled, are one more than a prime. An interesting conjecture relating demi-primes to graphs is implied by one of the most famous open problems in number theory: Shinzel’s Hypothesis-H. In this talk we will go over a proof of this implication

Speaker: Uttaran Dutta

Abstract: In my next talk, we’ll take a step back. I’ll explain what we mean by a moduli space and show you how we actually build one using examples. Starting from the very basics, I will try to make the definitions as intuitive as possible. Prerequisites will be some basic knowledge of Algebraic Geometry, except for the last example.

Speaker: Uttaran Dutta

Abstract: Stability is a fundamental concept in Algebraic Geometry, particularly in the construction of moduli spaces. I will start with the notion of stability for vector bundles on a smooth projective curve, which can naturally be extended to coherent sheaves. This will motivate our definition of stability functions on an abelian category. Our goal will be to extend this to an arbitrary triangulated category. Although this may seem very abstract, we will see that the ideas are very much motivated from classical theory. At the end we will see that doing this we get a lot of freedom to deformour stability functions, and that the space of stability conditions form a complex manifold.

Speaker: Matthew Booth

Abstract: An Artinian graded algebra A is said to have the Weak Lefschetz Property (WLP) if multiplication by a generic linear form has maximal rank in every degree. This definition was motivated by a 1980 result of Stanley, and it has since found connections to problems in algebraic geometry, commutative algebra, and combinatorics. We shall survey some properties and known results of WLP, with a particular emphasis on a recent paper of Dao & Nair characterizing WLP from degree 1 to degree 2 of an Artinian monomial algebra in terms of an associated simplicial complex. In another direction, a pair of nonzero elements (x, y) in a ring R is called an exact pair of zero divisors if \(Ann_R(x) = (y)\)  and \(Ann_R(y)=(x)\) . (Such pairs of elements are interesting if for no other reason than affording a construction of nonfree totally reflexive modules.) If time permits, we will examine some necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of exact zero divisors in quadratic algebras with a fixed Hilbert function. Of the work done in this area, the contributions of Conca, Yoshino, Kustin & Vraciu, and Christensen et al are especially noteworthy.

Speaker: Pat Lank

Abstract: This talk will be an overview of strong generation and level in the derived category of bounded complexes with coherent cohomology for a Noetherian scheme. We will discuss down to earth examples for those who have an introductory background in commutative algebra or algebraic geometry. Hopefully, this will convince the audience that the machinery discussed can be viewed as a noncommutative analog of regularity in the flavor of a classical result by Auslander-Buchsbaum-Serre.

Speaker: Jonathan Smith

Abstract: Within classical algebraic geometry, the Riemann-Roch theorem for curves relates an arbitrary divisor to the curve’s canonical divisor and genus. In 2007, M. Baker and S. Norine derived an analogous theorem for linear systems of divisors on finite graphs. The Riemann-Roch theorem for graphs has combinatorial applications, but it also acts as a starting point for a more robust dictionary between algebraic geometry and graph theory. In this talk, we will introduce linear systems of divisors, state the Riemann-Roch theorem for graphs, investigate an application or two, and mention some other notions from algebraic geometry that can be reformulated for graphs. This talk should be accessible for graduate students that do not have a background in algebraic geometry.