Cal Day

The Department of Mathematics presents Cal Day 2023

April 22, 2023

MUSA (Mathematics Undergraduate Student Association)

Description: Meet current mathematics students. The Math Undergraduate Student Association (MUSA) serves the undergraduate math community at UC Berkeley, providing a range of opportunities to connect and expand horizons. Hear the perspectives and experiences of students in one of the top mathematics departments in the country. We'd love to have you join us!
Type: In-person.
Audience: New admits.
Time/Location: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. East entrance of Evans Hall.


Mathematics Information Session with Professor Richard Borcherds, Department of Mathematics /Major Advisors

Description: Learn about the objectives and requirements of the mathematics major and the opportunities open to mathematics students at Berkeley. Staff advisors will also be available to answer questions.
Type: In-person
Audience: New admits.
Time/Location: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Evans Hall, Room 60. 


Ask The Mathematician with Professor George Bergman

Description: A Cal Day Favorite! Find out everything you always wanted to know about mathematics (but couldn’t find anyone to ask).
Type: In-person.
Audience: New admits.
Time/Location: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. East side of Evans Hall (outside).


Surprising Applications of Polynomials, Professor Ruixiang Zhang

Description: Given n points on the plane, what is the smallest number of distances determined by all possible point pairs? Given n lines on a plane, what is the maximal number of points, each lying on k (>2) given lines? Given n lines in the three-dimensional space, what is the maximal number of points, each lying on 3 non-coplanar given lines? As you may not expect, the three problems above are all somewhat deeper than their elementary appearances, and can all be efficiently dealt with by introducing auxiliary polynomials. I will describe this mysterious phenomenon and explain the role of polynomials in recently proved theorems concerning the problems. The three problems also have far-reaching connections to the properties of fractal sets and the stability of waves. I will finish by describing some interesting properties of zero sets of polynomials that are important in these applications.
Type: In-person.
Audience: New admits.
Time/location 11:15 am - 12:15 pm. Evans Hall, Room 60.


Mathematics Information Tables

Description: Talk to advisers in the Department of Mathematics and get comprehensive information about the major and minor programs.
Type: In-person.
Audience: New admits.
Time/Location: 11:15 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Eastside of Evans Hall (outside).


Info Session with Gender Equity Mathematics (GEM)

Description: GEM is a student organization that serves to support women and other underrepresented genders interested in mathematics at Berkeley. We host weekly meetings that alternate between academic opportunities and social events, in addition to offering a variety of other programs. Join our info session to learn more and ask us questions. We look forward to meeting you!
Type: In-person.
Audience: New admits.
Time/Location: 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Evans Hall, Room 1015.


Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) Student Panel, Math PEER Advisors

Description: Current Berkeley MPS students will share information about course planning, research and career development opportunities, and what it’s like to be a student at Berkeley.
Audience: New admits.
Time/Location: 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. room (TBD).