Date: Fri, 10 May 1996 15:11:39 -0300 (ADT) Subject: Master Class - Utrecht Date: Fri, 10 May 1996 11:10:22 +0200 From: I. Moerdijk <moerdijk@math.ruu.nl> Dear colleagues, We have a one year preliminary program at Utrecht for which we accept a number of fully funded students. The courses this year relate to sheaves, knots, etc, so will interest some category theorists. I would be grateful if you could bring this to the attention of your students. Ieke Moerdijk. ---------------------------------- Master Class 1996-1997 Mathematical Research Institute The Mathematical Research Institute (MRI) in The Netherlands has been set up jointly by the mathematics departments of the universities of Groningen, Nijmegen, Twente and Utrecht. Its aim is to promote research, organise graduate courses and seminars, and stimulate international contacts and exchange. The MRI is one of the main mathematical institutes in The Netherlands. Master Class The MRI organises a Master Class (MC). Every year three parallel MC programmes are offered, each with its own topic. These are 1-year programmes of lectures, seminars and a test problem for bright undergraduate students and beginning graduate students of any nationality. The MC student follows one of these programmes. The language for all MC activities is English. Students who have successfully completed a Master Class programme can apply for admission to the Graduate Studies Programme (GSP) of the MRI. Studies in the GSP can take 4 years and aim at a doctoral thesis, based on original mathematical research. Admission to the GSP is subject to a severe selection procedure. Topics for the Master Class 1996-97 # Numerical Analysis and Supercomputing # Stochastics and Operations Research # Complex Geometry and Topology Each programme includes # two full days of lectures and seminars per week, # a test problem: individual work on a mathematical problem under the guidance of a tutor. The programme runs from September 1st until June 30th. There are two blocks of courses of about thirteen weeks each. Participants are expected to become actively involved in seminars, workshops, discussions. Time will also be reserved for preparing for the examinations and for work on the test problem. In 1996-97 the following courses will be offered: NUMERICAL ANALYSIS AND SUPERCOMPUTING # Seminar: Numerical solution of nonlinear problems (O. Axelsson) # Finite element and boundary element methods (B. Polman) # Splines and wavelets (C. Traas) # Numerical treatment of surfacewaves (P. Zandbergen) # Subspace methods for linear problems and eigenproblems (H. van der Vorst/G. Sleijpen) # Seminar: Preconditioning techniques (H. van der Vorst/G. Sleijpen) # Elliptic boundary value problems (J. Duistermaat) # either: Numerical programming (R. Bisseling) or: Supercomputers and numerical linear algebra (O. Axelsson) STOCHASTICS AND OPERATIONS RESEARCH # Algorithmic methods in mathematical operations research (U. Faigle, W. Kern) # Seminar: Stochastic models in applied operations research (W. Nawijn) # Stochastic processes (M. van Zuijlen, E. van Doorn) # Stochastic analysis (F. den Hollander, H. Maassen) # Non-parametric statistics (B. Levit) # Seminar: Quantum stochastics (R. Gill) # Time series analysis (H. Dehling, T. Mikosch) # Seminar: Spatial stochastics (H. Dehling, A. van Enter, J. Roerdink) COMPLEX GEOMETRY AND TOPOLOGY # Sheaves and algebraic topology (W. van der Kallen, I. Moerdijk) # Complex geometry (E. Looijenga) # Riemann-Hilbert correspondence on P^1 (F. Beukers, G. Heckman) # Introduction to singularities (D. Siersma, J. Steenbrink) # D-modules (J. Steenbrink, R. van Doorn) # Intersection homology (W. van der Kallen, I. Moerdijk) # Arrangements of hyperplanes (M. Hazewinkel, D. Siersma) # Seminar on hypergeometric functions (G. Heckman, E. Opdam, J. Stienstra) Examination and certificate Each participant is required to take examinations on the courses and to present a written account of his/her work on the test problem. When the examinations and the test problem are successfully passed a certificate will be awarded. Expenses and fellowships The fee for admission to the MC, including tuition fees, is Dfl. 5,000. Since the MC activities take place in different cities the participants should expect expenses up to Dfl. 1,500 per year for travelling in the Netherlands. Moreover, there will be expenses for visa and for travelling to and from the Netherlands. The other normal costs of living (including housing and insurance) can be estimated at Dfl. 1,200 per month. The MRI can only offer a very limited number of fellowships for participation in the MC. Foreign students are therefore requested to apply for scholarships or funding in their home country. The MRI also encourages participation by way of student exchange programmes. Students are requested to check if their home university is involved in exchange programmes with one of the MRI universities (Groningen, Nijmegen, Twente, Utrecht). The MRI can offer a few full fellowships, intended for students with no possibility of funding in their home country and a few partial fellowships, intended for students with limited funding. In some cases the admission fee will be waived. Housing The MC activities will be spread over the four participating universities. The MRI will help candidates to find suitable housing accommodation near one of the participating universities. Usually one day per week the student will travel to another university. Travelling can take up to two and a half hours each way. Application Application is open to all those who are now in the final year of their undergraduate studies in Mathematical Sciences or have started their graduate studies. Women are especially encouraged to apply. To apply one should complete (a copy of) the application form attached to this folder and send it together with the following documents to Jean Arthur: # Curriculum vitae. # Academic record: list of subjects/classes taken at the home university; subjects for degree examination; photocopy of diploma (if available). # At least one letter of recommendation from a member of the academic staff of the home university. # A summary of the applicant's financial circumstances (if a fellowship is being applied for). N.B.: incomplete applications will not be considered; clearly indicate the topic of your choice; there are no special application forms for fellowships or housing. If you require further information or have any questions, do not hesitate to contact: Ms. Jean Arthur (secretary MRI) University of Utrecht, Mathematical Research Institute P.O. Box 80.010 3508 TA Utrecht The Netherlands (tel: 31-30-2531472, fax: 31-30-2518394, e-mail: mri@math.ruu.nl). Information on WWW We plan to have the contents of the folder and the latest information about the Master Class 1996-1997 on World Wide Web at the following address: http://www.math.ruu.nl/mri Deadlines for application Applicants seeking admission to the MC in September 1996 are requested to contact the secretariat as soon as possible. Deadline for applications: March 1st, 1996. Candidates will hear at the beginning of May 1996, whether or not their application has been successful. For students not requiring an MRI-fellowship (or a visa to enter The Netherlands) the deadline for application is June 1st, 1996. Prof.dr. D. Siersma (director MRI) Dr. J. Stienstra (coordinator MC) Application form MASTER CLASS 1996-1997 Name Address Postal Code & City Country Telephone number E-Mail / Fax / Telex I am particularly interested in the class about: Numerical Analysis and Supercomputing Stochastics and Operations Research Complex Geometry and Topology In order to participate, I would need no support partial support full support