The Department of Mathematics presents Cal Day 2026
April 18, 2026
Mathematics Information Session with Professor Richard Borcherds, Department of Mathematics & Math Major Advisors
Description: Learn about the objectives and requirements of the mathematics major and the opportunities open to mathematics students at Berkeley with Professor Richard Borcherds. Staff advisors will also be available to answer questions.
Audience: New admits, particularly intended Math and Applied Math majors
Time/Location: 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Location: 155 Dwinelle Hall
Simplifying Geometries via Geometric Flows, Professor Richard Bamler
Description: Imagine that you have two inflatable beach toys: a beach ball and an inner tube. In their deflated, crumpled state, it's hard to distinguish between them—they both exhibit irregular geometries. However, as you inflate them, the crumples smoothen out, and distinctive shapes emerge. The beach ball becomes perfectly round, while the inner tube takes on its own rotationally symmetric form. So through this inflation process, each object acquires a unique inherent geometry that depends on its underlying topology (the loose underlying structure) and which therefore makes them easily identifiable from one another.
Mathematically, such a geometric deformation is captured by a geometric flow, which evolves according to an equation that is similar to a heat equation. Two notable examples of geometric flows are the Ricci Flow and Mean Curvature Flow. These flows have received significant attention in recent decades and have played a pivotal role in resolving fundamental conjectures like the Poincaré Conjecture.
In this talk, I'll provide an overview of these geometric flows and describe some of their applications. I will also highlight some more recent work in the area.
Audience: New admits.
Time/location: 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m., Location: 106 Wheeler Hall
Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) Student Panel
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 UC Berkeley.
Audience: New admits.Time/Location: 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. 101 Morgan Hall.
Mathematics Information Tables
Description: Talk to advisers in the Department of Mathematics and get comprehensive information about the major and minor programs.
Audience: New admits.
Time/Location: 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Information Zone.
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).
Audience: New admits.
Time/Location: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Information Zone.
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!
Audience: New admits.
Time/Location: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Information Zone.
Info Session with GEM (Gender Equity in Mathematics)
Description: GEM is a student organization that serves to support women and other underrepresented genders interested in mathematics at Cal. 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!
Audience: New admits.
Time/Location: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Information Zone.
Berkeley Mathematics Tournament (BMT)
Description: BMT is a UC Berkeley student-led organization that aims to spread mathematics and the spirit of mathematical competition globally by presenting students with interesting, original, hand-crafted problems. As of 2024, we are one of the largest student-run math competitions on the West Coast with over 2,000 contestants.
Audience: New admits.
Time/Location: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Information Zone.
Cal Day Main Website
Check out the full Cal Day schedule and event details on the Cal Day Main Website.
Parking
Free parking is open to Cal Day attendees. Review the information for how to get to Cal Day on the Parking & Transportation website.