The primary goal of this seminar is to cover interesting and important ideas and techniques in math in a way that is accessible to a general graduate student audience. We aim to cover topics that (1) encompass milestones in mathematical thinking, (2) explain the basic ideas and modes of operation of a specific area of math, and/or (3) describe the merits and shortcomings of the National Parks system (if no math topic is found). The flavor of the talks is idea-oriented rather than definition-theorem-proof-oriented, so that the major ideas are conveyed without bogging down the audience in technicalities and details. We hope to cover some beautiful and important math in a way that every graduate student can benefit from.

In quarters past, this seminar was called Food for Thought because the seminar was held in-person, and the organizers would provide some snacks for everyone to enjoy during the talk. As might be clear from the circumstances and current name, the seminar is online this quarter. We have a 50-minute Zoom talk followed by an informal social at Art of Espresso each week. We provide links for these in our weekly emails, and we upload the talks to our YouTube channel, to which we urge you to subscribe!

Meets: Tuesdays at 2-3pm (Zoom talk) and 3-4pm informal social