Mike Olinick
Baldwin Professor of Mathematics & Natural Philosophy
 
          - Office
- Warner 202
- Tel
- (802) 443-5559
- molinick@middlebury.edu
- Office Hours
- Monday and Wednesday: 9:35-11:00 AM, 12:10-1:00 PM, Thursday: 10:00-11:00 AM, Friday: 9:35-11:00 AM
Courses Taught
      
        
          FYSE 1280
                      Current
                            
        Breaking the Code: Alan Turing
      
      
    
  
  Course Description
Breaking the Code: The Enigma of Alan Turing
 British mathematician Alan Turing broke the German military’s prized Enigma cipher in World War II, created the foundations of modern computer science, and pioneered the fields of artificial intelligence (“Can Machines Think?”). Turing was arrested for homosexuality and forced to undergo hormone treatments which may have led to his apparent suicide by cyanide poisoning. His brilliant achievements and tragic death have been the subject of biographies, essays, plays, novels, and films. In this course we will explore the life, times, and works of this remarkable individual and consider how Turing would view the current state of artificial intelligence. 3 hrs. sem./screening
Terms Taught
Requirements
      
        
          MATH 0122
                      Current
                            
        Calculus II
      
      
    
  
  Course Description
Calculus II
 A continuation of MATH 0121, may be elected by first-year students who have had an introduction to analytic geometry and calculus in secondary school. Topics include a brief review of natural logarithm and exponential functions, calculus of the elementary transcendental functions, techniques of integration, improper integrals, applications of integrals including problems of finding volumes, infinite series and Taylor's theorem, polar coordinates, ordinary differential equations. MATH 0121 or equivalent, or by placement) 4 hrs. lect/disc.
Terms Taught
Requirements
      
        
          MATH 0200
                                Upcoming
                  
        Linear Algebra
      
      
    
  
  Course Description
Linear Algebra
 Matrices and systems of linear equations, the Euclidean space of three dimensions and other real vector spaces, independence and dimensions, scalar products and orthogonality, linear transformations and matrix representations, eigenvalues and similarity, determinants, the inverse of a matrix and Cramer's rule. (MATH 0121 or equivalent, or by placement) 3 hrs. lect./disc.
Terms Taught
Requirements
      
        
          MATH 0223
                            
        Multivariable Calculus
      
      
    
  
  Course Description
Multivariable Calculus
 The calculus of functions of more than one variable. Introductory vector analysis, analytic geometry of three dimensions, partial differentiation, multiple integration, line integrals, elementary vector field theory, and applications. (MATH 0122 or equivalent. Not open to students who have taken MATH 0224.) 3 hrs. lect./disc.
Terms Taught
Requirements
      
        
          MATH 0224
                                Upcoming
                  
        Vector Calculus
      
      
    
  
  Course Description
Vector Calculus
 In this course students will apply the concepts and tools of linear algebra to analyze functions of multiple variables where domain and codomains are vectors, possibly of different dimensions. Students will learn introductory vector analysis, partial differentiation, multiple integration, line integrals, elementary vector field theory, and their applications. (MATH 0122 or equivalent, and MATH 0200. Not open to students who have taken MATH 0223.) 3 hrs. lect.
Terms Taught
Requirements
      
        
          MATH 0226
                            
        Differential Equations
      
      
    
  
  Course Description
Differential Equations
 This course provides an introduction into ordinary differential equations (ODEs) with an emphasis on linear and nonlinear systems using analytical, qualitative, and numerical techniques. Topics will include separation of variables, integrating factors, eigenvalue method, linearization, bifurcation theory, and numerous applications. In this course, we will introduce MATLAB programming skills and develop them through the semester. (MATH 0122 or equivalent, and MATH 0200.) 3 hrs. lect./disc.
Terms Taught
Requirements
      
        
          MATH 0315
                            
        Mathematical Modeling
      
      
    
  
  Course Description
Mathematical modeling
 An introduction into the process of developing and interpreting mathematical models within the framework of numerous applications. In this course, we will utilize discrete, continuous, and probabilistic approaches to explore applications such as population dynamics, epidemiology, and neuron activity. Time permitting, we may also introduce the derivation of spatiotemporal models. MATLAB will be used to implement and analyze several of these models. (MATH 0200 and MATH 0225 or MATH 0226) 3 hrs. lect./disc
Terms Taught
Requirements
      
        
          MATH 0318
                            
        Operations Research
      
      
    
  
  Course Description
Operations Research
 Operations research is the utilization of quantitative methods as an aid to managerial decisions. In the course, several of these methods will be introduced and studied in both a mathematical context and a physical context. Topics included will be selected from the following: classification of problems and the formulation of models, linear programming, network optimization, transportation problems, assignment problems, integer programming, nonlinear programming, inventory theory, and game theory. (MATH 0200)
Terms Taught
Requirements
      
        
          MATH 0332
                            
        Elementary Topology
      
      
    
  
  Course Description
Elementary Topology
 An introduction to the concepts of topology. Theory of sets, general topological spaces, topology of the real line, continuous functions and homomorphisms, compactness, connectedness, metric spaces, selected topics from the topology of Euclidean spaces including the Jordan curve theorem. (MATH 0122 or equivalent, or MATH 0200) (formally MATH 0432) 3 hrs. lect./disc.
Terms Taught
Requirements
      
        
          MATH 0500
                      Current
                                Upcoming
                  
        Advanced Study
      
      
    
  
  Course Description
Advanced Study
 Individual study for qualified students in more advanced topics in algebra, number theory, real or complex analysis, topology. Particularly suited for those who enter with advanced standing. (Approval required) 3 hrs. lect./disc.
Terms Taught
      
        
          MATH 0715
                            
        Advanced Math Modeling Seminar
      
      
    
  
  Course Description
Advanced Mathematical Modeling Seminar
 A tutorial on advanced mathematical model building and analysis for students who have completed work in Differential Equations and Probability. We will study deterministic and stochastic models of interacting populations with a focus on mathematical ecology and epidemiology. Working independently and in small groups, students will gain experience reading advanced sources and communicating their insights in expository writing and oral presentations. Fulfills the capstone senior work requirement for the mathematics major. (Approval Only) 3 hrs. Sem.
Terms Taught
Requirements
Academic Degrees
A.B., University of Michigan; M.A., Ph.D., University of Wisconsin