Foundations of Computational Mathematics Conference, August 5 - 14, 2002

University Of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis MN

Investigators

Abstract

The investigator and his colleagues organize the third Conference on Foundations of Computational Mathematics at the Institute for Mathematics and its Applications (IMA), University of Minnesota on 5-14 August 2002. Deepening the understanding of the mathematical processes that underlie fast computation and computer simulation is the principal goal of the meeting. The mathematical content covers fields of research at the interface of engineering, computer science, and pure mathematics, but focused on computation. The program includes 18 3-day workshops and 18 plenary speakers. The plenary talks and workshops span subjects of vital interest to the nation's infrastructure, economy, and defense. The project supports participation by postdocs, graduate students, junior participants, women and minorities as well as plenary and semi-plenary speakers and workshop organizers. Large-scale computation and the implementation of mathematical models for complex physical and societal phenomena are of fundamental importance to the nation's economy. Computation is also the backbone of the sciences supporting the nation's defense. Large-scale computation is the engine of numerical models for complex physical phenomena occurring at many scales. Fast computation and processing of the ever-increasing data sets obtained from various sensors is critical to the new military. The purpose of this major meeting, held only every three years, is to further the understanding of the deep relationships between mathematical theory: analysis, topology, geometry and algebra, and computational processes as they are evolving in tandem with the modern computer. The topics to be addressed include large scale computation and high performance computing as occurs in atmospheric and groundwater modeling, computer aided design and animation, data, image and signal processing, modeling network traffic, quantum computing, learning theory, optimization and control. Sustaining the nation's advantage in these vital areas relies on understanding the foundations of computational science. The meeting involves 350-500 researchers in 18 workshops over a 10-day period, with special plenary sessions attended by everyone. A large contingent of graduate students and other young scientists are participating, and the program is designed to promote intensive interaction among the participants. Several panels are devoted to identifying the most promising directions for future research. Published proceedings, web-based materials, and the conference sessions themselves serve as launching pads for focus and special interest groups for future interactions in a range of subjects at the interface of mathematics and computation.