how scientific problems can be phrased in terms of occurrences of rare events and how the Poisson distribution is used. The examples will be taken from the study of coincidences, molecular biology, imaging science and real-world networks.
| Programme | SMS Lecture Series (Inaugural lecture) |
| Audience | General |
| Description | This lecture series will feature eminent local mathematicians or mathematics educators to share with the public some of their interests and ideas. |
| Speaker | Centennial Professor Louis Chen, National University of Singapore
|
| Title | Rare Events - The Poisson Paradigm (Poster) |
| Abstract | Rare events occur in natural phenomena but can also be defined mathematically in scientific problems.
For the latter, the accurate calculation of the probabilities of occurrences of such events is important for decision
making in the physical and social sciences. The Poisson distribution, which was discovered by the French
mathematician Siméon-Denis Poisson in 1837, is often used for calculating these probabilities. The speaker will
give a brief historical account of the early development of the Poisson distribution, and give some examples of how scientific problems can be phrased in terms of occurrences of rare events and how the Poisson distribution is used. The examples will be taken from the study of coincidences, molecular biology, imaging science and real-world networks. |
| Date/Time | March 2 (Friday) 2007 / 4.00-5.00pm |
| Venue | NUS, LT31 |
| Refreshment | Buffet dinner will be served after the lecture |
| Registration | School teachers may do group registration for their students and teachers by choosing the "group registration" option and indicate the number of people attending the lecture in the online registration form. |
| Registration Fees | Free |
| Coordinator | Dr Tan Victor |
| Closing Date | February 26, 5pm. |