Algorithms in Computer Algebra
by
Prof. George Labahn
Symbolic Computation Group
Department of Computer Science
University of Waterloo
Most students in the Faculty of Math obtain an introduction to
computer algebra during their first year math courses. They learn that
a computer algebra system like Maple is useful for computing integrals
in calculus class, determining quantities such as greatest common
divisors in algebra class along with basic operations as finding a
determinant of a matrix in linear algebra class. These systems are
used as a supplement to what they have been taught in their classes:
integrals are computed via intelligent guess work, greatest common
divisors via the Euclidean algorithm and determinants most likely by
Gaussian elimination (which we learn in first year computer science
has complexity O(n^3) ).
In this talk we will show that in fact Maple does not compute
integrals via guess work, nor greatest common divisors via the
Euclidean algorithm and also not determinants via Gauss elimination
(which in computer algebra does not really have complexity O(n^3) ).
The talk will also include a brief history of the Maple project along
with some of the current activities of the Symbolic Computation Group.
Wednesday, November 25th
16:30
DC 1302
Doughnaughts will be served.
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Constructing Evolutionary Trees
by
Prof. Paul Kearney
In recent years there has been enormous growth in the amount of
genetic information available to biologists. This data has
revolutionized research inthe biological and medical sciences. One
application of this data is recovering the evolutionary relationships
among groups of species. This talk will present several examples of
current evolutionary questions that can be addressed using genetic
information and the importance of algorithmic techniques for resolving
these questions. Topics covered include the interplay between
computer science and biology, algorithm design and methods of
algorithm assessment.
Thursday November 26th
16:30
MC 4063
Doughnaughts will be served.
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Tuesday, December 1, 1998
The infraNET Project Distinguished Speaker Seminar
"Building and Managing Large-Scale Web Sites
- The France 98 World Cup Experience"
David Yach, Vice President and Chief Architect Sybase, Inc.
2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.; Davis Centre, Room 1302
Register via our web site at: http://infranet.uwaterloo.ca/
call 519-888-4567 ext. 5611.
Wednesday, December 2, 1998
ICR Short Course
``Amorphous Silicon Detector Technology''
Arokia Nathan, Electrical & Computer Engineering, U. of Waterloo
Contact ICR for more info/registration: Cost-$300+GST
www: http://icr.uwaterloo.ca or icr@icr.uwaterloo.ca
9:30 - 4:30 p.m.; DC1304
Friday, November 27, 1998 or December 4, 1998
Database Seminar
"Managing Heterogeneous Schemas and Data"
Renee Miller, University of Toronto
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.; DC1304
ABSTRACT Schematic heterogeneity arises when information that is
represented as data under one schema, is represented within the
schema (as metadata) in another. Schematic heterogeneity is an
important class of heterogeneity that arises frequently in
integrating legacy data for data warehousing applications.
Traditional query languages and view mechanisms are insufficient
for reconciling and translating data between schematically
heterogeneous schemas. Higher order query languages, that permit
quantification over schema labels, have been proposed to permit
querying and restructuring of data between schematically
disparate schemas. We extend this work by considering how these
languages can be used in practice with minimal extensions to
existing query processing engines. Specifically, we consider the
problem of using higher order views to answer queries in a
heterogeneous environment. We give conditions under which a
higher order view is usable for answering a query and provide
query translation algorithms. We show how our solutions permit
schema global information systems. This is on-going work with
Laura Haas and the Garlic Heterogeneous Database group >from IBM
Almaden Research Labs.
Meeting
Agenda 
