Sandy Ganzell
Mathematics and Computer Science, St. Mary's College of Maryland
18952 E Fisher Road, St. Mary's City, MD 20686
Welcome! My office is in Schaefer Hall, room 172. Come by any time. If the door's open, you're not interrupting. You can also schedule an appointment.
Contact me at 240-895-4371 or sganzell@smcm.edu.
Fall 2013
My office hours are Monday 9–10, Wednesday 3–4 and Friday 1:30–2:30. This semester I'm teaching FOM (Tu/Th 2–3:50) and Combinatorics (Tu/Th 10–11:50). I'm also running the Putnam Seminar (Wed 8–9pm).
Math/CS
Here's what's happening around the department.
You can take an exam to get your infinity license! There's a 246 lecture at, um, 2:46. Also, Bling! Math club! CS Co-op! Putnam exam! Other things!
Research
My main area of research is Geometric Topology, specifically 4-Manifolds and Knot Theory. I'm also interested in Geometric Group Theory and Combinatorial Games.
My classes
Fall 2013: I'm teaching FOM (Tu/Th 2–3:50 in Schaefer 134) and Combinatorics (Tu/Th 10–11:50 in Schaefer 161). I'm also running the Putnam Seminar (Wed 8–9pm in Schaefer 161).
In Spring 2014 I'll be teaching FOM and Knot Theory. The textbook for FOM is Book of Proof by Richard Hammack, available online or as a free download. The textbook for Knot Theory will be The Knot Book by Colin Adams.
My past courses (taught at SMCM, University of The Gambia, Pomona College and Rice University) are listed here.
Course description for MATH 482: Topics in Mathematics, Spring 2014
Knot Theory: Knots are familiar objects. Yet the mathematical theory of knots quickly leads to deep results in Topology and Geometry, as well as applications in Chemistry, Physics and Biology. At the same time, there are many accessible open problems suitable for undergraduate research. Prerequisites: MATH 256 and MATH 281, plus one upper-level MATH course or permission of the instructor.
My Research
My primary interest in mathematics is the subject of Topology. Within this field, my research focusses on Knot Theory and the Topology of 4-Manifolds. I'm also interested in Geometric Group Theory and Combinatorial Game Theory.
Students interested in doing research (or SMPs) in any of these areas should read (or at least skim) the linked Wikipedia pages and come see me. A course in Topology is helpful (but not essential) for studying Knot Theory. Algebra I is essential for studying Geometric Group Theory; Topology and Algebra II are essential for studying 4-manifolds.
Preprints
Recent preprints can be found here. Links to all my papers (and publication info) are in my CV. Coauthors marked with an asterisk* were undergraduates when the research was conducted.
• New Bounds for Forbidden Numbers of Knots (E. Lehet*, C. Lopez*, G. Magallon*, and A. Thompson*).
• Local Moves and Restrictions on the Jones Polynomial.
• The Forbidden Number of a Knot (A. Crans and B. Mellor).
• TWIST UNTANGLE and Related Knot Games (A. Meadows and J. Ross*).
• UNTANGLE: Knots in Combinatorial Game Theory (A. Meadows).
• Chirality vs. HOMFLY and Kauffman Polynomials (A. Kapp*).
• Ends of 4-Manifolds.
Things happening around the department
Infinity Licenses
Want to be able to use infinity without justification? Want to be able to say "Well, that's 1 over infinity so it goes to 0" without Alex demanding epsilons and deltas? Just pass your infinity exam and it can happen!
246
Every Friday at 2:46 there's a short (ends by 3:14) lecture on a topic not typically covered in any class. Usually if you've had FOM you know enough to enjoy it. Next 246 is January 24.
Klein Bottle Openers
Want one? Just declare your math major and it's yours! Fläche? Flasche? FYI, that's a Klein bottle on the shelf up there. I have one on the shelf in my office too. Stop by and take a look.
Contact Me
Mailing Address
Department of Mathematics and Computer ScienceSt. Mary's College of Maryland
18952 East Fisher Road
St. Mary's City, MD 20686
Phone/Fax
240-895-4371 (my office)240-895-4362 (office associate)
240-895-4996 (fax)