It is usual to launch a special semester at MSRI with an introductory workshop. This time the two projects sharing the MSRI facilities in Autumn 1998 are organising a joint introductory workshop, combining themes in Foundations of computational mathematics and in Symbolic computation in geometry and analysis.

This workshop is not intended for the specialist, although many experts will be there to participate and interact with others interested in learning about this material, but rather for the mathematician in any field who would like to know more about these exciting areas and their applications in other parts of mathematics.

Registration:

The lectures are open to the scientific public; there is no registration fee. Individuals interested in attending the workshop should pre-register (no fee) with MSRI in one of three ways:

1. by email to intro@msri.org

2. by fax to (510) 642-8609, Attn: Introductory Workshop; or

3. by regular mail to

   Introductory Workshop
   MSRI
   1000 Centennial Drive
   Berkeley, CA 94720-5070
   USA

Please include your full name, institutional affiliation and mailing address, and phone/fax/email.

MSRI will send hotel and transportation information (click here for an online example), program information, and replies to requests for funding approximately one month after the application deadline. Requests for further information about this workshop should be sent either by email to intro@msri.org or by regular mail to:

Introductory workshop
Mathematical Sciences Research Institute
1000 Centennial Drive
Berkeley, CA 94720-5070
USA

The organisers have great interest in attracting to the workshop participants from all types of institutions and all backgrounds, including researchers from areas outside the main subjects of the workshop. They are in particular strongly encouraging mathematicians from traditionally underrepresented groups to apply.

Financial support:

A limited amount of funding is available for partial support of people wishing to attend. Students, recent Ph.D.'s, women, and minorities are particularly encouraged to apply. To apply for funding, send a letter explaining your interest in the workshop together with a vita or bibliography and a budget for travel/living expenses. If you are a student, also solicit a letter from a faculty adviser. All information should be received at MSRI by May 22 1998.

The organisers of the introductory workshop are

FoCM	SCG&A
Arieh Iserles	Marie-Francoise Roy
Teresa Krick	Michael Singer
Andrew Stuart	Bernd Sturmfels

The format: Mornings will consist of brief minicourses, while afternoons will be devoted to study in small groups, seminars and informal interaction.

Minicourses in foundations of computational mathematics

Solving polynomial equations (Teresa Krick)
Manifestations of computational complexity (Steve Smale)
Homotopy methods (Tien Yien Li)
Optimization and interior point methods (Jim Renegar)
Computational dynamics (Andrew Stuart)
Geometric integration (Arieh Iserles)

and in symbolic computation in geometry and analysis

Gröbner bases (Mike Stillman)
Symbolic solution of differential eqns (Marius van der Put)
Algebraic analysis (Nobuki Takayama)
Differential ideal theory (William Sit)
Real algebraic geometry (Michel Coste)
Combinatorial methods (Jesus De Loera)

No prior knowledge of the subjects in question is assumed. Needless to say, nobody will be expected to attend all twelve minicourses: each participant will have an opportunity to tailor his/her menu according to personal tastes and preferences. Copious written material will accompany the lectures, much of it available in advance of the workshop.

A (very) preliminary timetable:

Monday, 17 August: Homotopy methods Solving polynomial equations Groebner bases Symbolic solution of differential eqns

Tuesday, 18 August: Groebner bases Symbolic solution of differential eqns Homotopy methods Computational dynamics

Wednesday, 19 August: Homotopy methods Solving polynomial equations Groebner bases Symbolic solution of differential eqns

Thursday, 20 August: Real algebraic geometry Combinatorial methods Homotopy methods Computational dynamics

Friday, 21 August: Geometric integration Solving polynomial equations Real algebraic geometry Combinatorial methods

Saturday, 22 August: Differential ideal theory Algebraic analysis Computational dynamics Optimization and interior point methods

Monday, 24 August: Optimization and interior point methods Manifestations of computational complexity Real algebraic geometry Differential ideal theory

Tuesday, 25 August: Algebraic analysis Geometric integration Optimization and interior point methods Manifestations of computational complexity

Wednesday, 26 August: Geometric integration Optimization and interior point methods Manifestations of computational complexity Computational dynamics

Please consult the MSRI website for enrolment information.