New lecture series brings disciplines together

A new lectures series at Pittsburg State University will feature a professor whose work in mathematics is creating fascinating connections with other disciplines.

Dr. Cynthia Woodburn of the PSU Department of Mathematics will be the first speaker of the new Arts and Sciences Lecture Series. The series, which will begin with this first lecture at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15, in room 107 of Grubbs Hall, is designed to increase interdisciplinary understanding among departments.

Woodburn’s lecture, “Wallpaper Patterns and Crystallographic Groups,” unites the mathematical theory of groups with art as well as biology, geology, solid state physics and chemistry. According to Woodburn, crystallographic groups played a role in the birth of modern mineralogy, as well as the discovery of the structure of DNA.

Dr. Lynette Olson, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, says the lectures are a return to the series started by Dean Emeritus Orville Brill. “We have high hopes this new series will continue into the future,” she said.

Light refreshments will be served before the lecture. The series is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact the College of Arts and Sciences at 620-235-4685.

---Pitt State---