Robert J. Weaver

Kennedy-Schelkunoff Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science

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Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science

Mount Holyoke College
South Hadley, MA 01075
413-538-2209 (voice)
413-538-2239 (fax)

Education:

• A.B. Lafayette College , 1963
• M.A. University of Delaware, 1965
• Ph.D. University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 1969
  Thesis: Orthogonality spaces and the free orthogonality monoid.
  Advisor: D. J. Foulis

Professional Experience:

• 1963-65 T.A. University of Delaware
• 1965-70 T.A., Instructor, and (post doctoral) Assistant Professor, University of Massachusetts
• 1970-present Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Professor, Mount Holyoke College
• 1976-80 Chair of Mathematics, Mount Holyoke College
• 1977-78 Visiting Mathematician, The George Washington University (worked in combinatorics with Professor Ruth Bari)
• 1983-84 Visiting Faculty Member, University of Maryland, Dept. of Computer Science (worked in software development and software engineering with Professor Victor Basili)
• 1984-1990 Chair of Computer Science, Mount Holyoke College
• 1996-1997 Acting Chair of Computer Science, Mount Holyoke College

Publications and Other Professional Projects:

• Admissible operations on sample spaces over the free orthogonality monoid," Colloquium Mathematicum, XXV, Fasc. 2 (1972), pp. 319-324.
• "Closed sets in the free orthogonality monoid," American Journal of Mathematics, 96, No. 4 (1974), pp. 593-601.
• "Finitary imbeddings of certain generalized sample spaces," co-author with Marie A. Gaudard (Mount Holyoke, class of 1973), Trans. Amer. Math. Soc., (1975), pp. 293-307.
• "Refinement conditions on operations in sample spaces," Canadian J. of Mathematics, XXVII, No. 5 (1975), pp. 991-999.
• COMPUCALC, (computer calculus diskette and laboratory manual), Worth Publishers, Inc., New York, 1985.
• "A visual approach to the Quine-McCluskey tabulation method for simplifying Boolean functions," in preparation.
• CALCWIN, (calculus software for MS Windows) for our calculus and other mathematics courses at Mount Holyoke. (1992-1998--current version, 1.8--July, 1998 -- Downloadable from my web site: click here to download).
• LINWIN, (linear transformation software for MS Windows) in preparation, 1999
• Contributing modules for Laboratories in Mathematical Experimentation: A Bridge to Higher Mathematics, (Springer-Verlag, New York, 1997), by the Department of Mathematics, Mount Holyoke College. Modules:
  • The Coloring of Graphs: chromatic polynomials
  • Parametric Curve Representations
  • Sequences and Series
  • Experiments in Periodicity
• Software for the Coloring of Graphs: a program for calculating chromatic polynomials and counting proper colorings for finite graphs. Version 1.0, 1995; Version 2.1, August, 2001 (Downloadable from my web site: click here to download).
• "Shifted iterations of functions," (software included) in preparation.
• Faculty co-leader of NSF-sponsored Undergraduate Faculty Enhancement workshops at Mount Holyoke College, June 1997 and June 1999, with followup meetings, January, 1999 (San Antonio, TX), and January, 2001 (New Orleans, LA).
• "An Introduction to Computer Science" -- textbook and laboratory book for CS 100, jointly with Paul Dobosh, 2003-2006, in progress.

Teaching/Professional Interests:

I divide my teaching equally between mathematics and computer science. My scholarly interests also cross that gap--with significant parts of my work involving ways in which the computer can become a major factor in the teaching of mathematics (and other disciplines). In particular, I am committed to the idea that we can learn more easily and surely than at any time in the past with the vastly richer base of mathematical examples that the computer affords us. With this new and astonishingly powerful tool we are freed to experiment and to observe new relationships and structures. (See information on Software)

Mathematically, right now, I'm working on a set of problems involving an infinite collection of periodic functions which arise from the composing of standard periodic functions in an unconventional way--a project that arose for me from just the kind of computer experimentation I mentioned above. Students who have had Math 301 could easily move into working in this area.

Our course, Math 251, Laboratory in Mathematical Experimentation, provides a chance to expose people to this approach--the approach that involves students in working through mathematical ideas in an experimental environment. Rather than following the well-developed track of definition...theorem...proof..., students are encouraged to make conjectures on the basis of experimentation using the computer. They can then use deductive arguments to confirm or refute these conjectures. This course has made a definite difference in the quality of our major in mathematics!

I have had a long-time interest in lattice theory and partially ordered sets, and I have several times taught an advanced-level course in lattice theory ( MA319 ) and have taught a First- and Second-year Tutorial in that as well.

In computer science, my activities are in the areas of digital logic and computer graphics. Also, I am very interested in designing and writing mathematical software, with a particular emphasis on flexible user interface design. The graphics course ( CS331 ) would be a way of preparing students to work in graphics projects and software design, and, of course, digital logic ( CS321 ) would be a fruitful preparation for continuing in the area of component design.

Current Committee Participation and Service

• SummerMath Advisory Committee
• Summermath for Teachers Advisory Committee
• Committee on Planning for Teaching Spaces on Campus
• Mathematics and Statistics Webmaster

This semester, Spring, 2006, I am teaching:

• CS 331, Computer Graphics
• Mathematics 101, Calculus I
  

Outside Activities and interests:

• Choir Member, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Amherst.
• Worship Commission, Immanuel Lutheran Church.
• Finance Commission, Immanuel Lutheran Church.
• Choir Director Search Committee.
• I enjoy singing, tree-farming, walking, mountain hiking, travel.
• A summer music camp I attended in my youth was The Junior Conservatory Camp. Its successor, The Walden School, is still very much in operation and is thriving. I am becoming involved in planning and promoting the Walden School Alumni/Alumnae activities.

• Click here to return to my home page
• See my two departments:
  
  • Department of Mathematics and Statistics
  • Department of Computer Science
    

  
  

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Contact Information:

Office: 404C Clapp Laboratory
Phone: (413) 538-2209
Fax: (413) 538-2239
Email: bweaver-at-mtholyoke-dot-edu