Carissimi,

l'8 ottobre sara' nostro ospite Ian Morrison, che terra' due seminari, il primo di geometria algebrica e il secondo rivolto agli studenti. Siete tutti caldamente invitati ad entrambi. Chi ha voglia di venire a pranzo con lo speaker mi scriva.

Ciao,

Rita

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Seminario di Geometria

8 ottobre, ore 15, Aula magna

Ian Morrison (Fordham University) Titolo: The three avatars of log minimal models $\overline{M}_g$

Abstract: The moduli space $\overline{M}_g$ of stable curves of genus $g$ has proven a fruitful test case for general questions from the minimal model program in birational geometry, where its modular interpretation provides extra tools for answering these questions. A paradoxical aspect of this work is that, although the questions deal with the \emph{intrinsic} geometry of $\overline{M}_g$, constructing the models depends on interpreting them as alternate compactifications of $M_g$, and, until very recently, on \emph{extrinsic} constructions of them as GIT quotients. I will review the history of these interactions and the parallel progress in our understanding of these three threads.

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Seminario per gli studenti

8 ottobre, ore 16.30, Aula magna

Ian Morrison (Fordham University) Titolo: Can you play a fair game of craps with a loaded pair of dice? or, What do the numbers 143 and 603 have in common?

Abstract: This talk will review joint work with David Swinarski over the past year on the first question in the title. Most of the mathematics will be elementary and the talk will be accessible to students at all levels. My main goals are to illustrate how mathematical research projects evolve and to use our work to review strategies that are often useful in tackling them. Along the way, we'll learn about the game of craps itself and touch on ideas from probability, geometry, algebra, number theory and combinatorics. The talk will conclude by answering the second question in the title by stating some elementary but mysterious open problems.