MACON – The Department of Mathematics in Mercer University's College of Liberal Arts will host its sixth biennial MUURMaC, or Mercer University Undergraduate Research Mathematics Conference, on Saturday.
MUURMaC is a conference for college and university students and faculty interested in undergraduate mathematics research. The schedule of events, which is open only to registered guests, includes student presentations from 9:25-10:25 a.m. and 2-3 p.m., a panel featuring several Mercer alumni who will discuss the role mathematics has played in their careers from 10:40-11:10 a.m. and a student mathematics competition from 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Additionally, the conference features plenary speaker Dr. Amy Langville, associate professor of mathematics at the College of Charleston. She will speak from 12:30-1:50 p.m. in the Presidents Dining Room in the University Center and from 3-4 p.m. in Stetson Hall.
“This conference is an opportunity for students from around the region to present to their colleagues and professors,” said Dr. Jeffrey K. Denny, associate dean and associate professor of mathematics. “We are elated to have Dr. Langville as our keynote speaker. She is nationally known for her research in sports rankings, search engine algorithms and linear programming, and she has an active program engaging students in research.”
In addition to her numerous scholarly publications and conference presentations, Dr. Langville is co-author of three books, including the award-winning Google's PageRank and Beyond: The Science of Search Engine Rankings.
Her research interests include linear optimization, integer programming, numerical analysis of algorithms, ranking and clustering in networks, text and data mining, and web analytics.
Dr. Langville was a postdoctoral researcher and earned her Ph.D. and Master of Science in operations research from North Carolina State University, and she earned her Bachelor of Science in mathematics from Mt. St. Mary's University.
Student presenters will represent Mercer, Middle Georgia State College, Valdosta State University, Francis Marion University and Georgia College and State University. The top presenters and competition winners will be recognized at the conclusion of the conference.
