Dr. Tyler Jarvis, assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, recently won a National Science Foundation grant in excess of $42,000.
The three-year Faculty Early Career Development Program grant combines both an educational component and a research one. It will allow Jarvis to study the geometry of algebraic curves, along with a number of theoretical properties, as part of the research component.
The mathematical research combines the two oldest areas of mathematics--number theory and geometry--as well as other mathematical problems. The research also involves applications to theoretical physics.
However, one application of mathematical research has helped develop a popular consumer item--the compact disk.
"Research in this area has led to what we call error correcting codes," Jarvis explained. "Basically, error correcting codes get rid of noise.
"If a disk is scratched, the disk player's program recognizes this as an error and the codes allow it to filter the mishap out without altering the music or information."
In the educational component, Jarvis has two projects. In the first, he will study the effect of class size on students in introductory calculus. In the second project, he will develop a new abstract algebra course for junior-level students.
Jarvis, who is starting his second year here, received bachelor of science and master of science degrees from Brigham Young University, and a master of arts degree and a doctorate from Princeton University.
This World Wide Web version of MSU Memo was modified and updated by Chris Brown.
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Last modified: Friday, 14-Jun-2002 15:58:59 CDT.
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