Topology For Beginners
Topology is a fascinating branch of pure mathematics that studies the properties of shapes and spaces that remain unchanged under continuous transformations like stretching, bending, and twisting, for example a coffee mug turning into a torus. Throughout most of its history, topology has been regarded as pure abstract mathematics, without applications in the physical sciences. However, echoing Wigner’s argument of the “unreasonable effectiveness of mathematics in the natural sciences,” topology has unexpectedly proven to be highly effective and penetrating beyond pure abstract theory, with important applications in empirical sciences such as physics, biology, and computer science.
Topology for Beginners is a book, written by Noor Muhammad, Asghar Qadir and Imran Parvez Khan, that covers a full introductory course on topology for undergraduate students. Published by the Oxford University Press Pakistan, this book belongs to the genre of modern books that first motivate pictorially and then gently move up to the path of mathematical rigour and its applications in science. The topological devil laid in the details of this book will be unveiled in this session.
About The Speakers:
- Asghar Qadir is one of Pakistan’s most distinguished mathematicians and physicists with a PhD from England in Mathematical Physics under Nobel Laureate Roger Penrose in 1971, specializing in relativity and twistor theory. He has also worked with John Archibald Wheeler and Abdus Salam. His work spans differential equations, geometry, topology, number theory, cosmology, quantum effects near black holes, the mathematics of particle physics, and economics. He has served as Chairman of Mathematics Department and Dean of Natural Sciences at Quaid-i-Azam University. He founded the Center for Advanced Mathematics & Physics (CAMP) at NUST and remained active as a visiting professor at the Abdus Salam School of Mathematical Sciences, GCU Lahore. He is currently affiliated with Pakistan Academy of Sciences. For his services, he has been honored with the Sitara-i-Imtiaz (1999), Hilal-i-Imtiaz (2008), and the title of Distinguished National Professor by HEC. He is also a recipient of the ISESCO Award for Mathematics, the Abdus Salam Award and the Al Khwarizmi Prize. His academic legacy includes more than 250 research papers, 12 books, and decades of mentorship to generations of students.
- Naqeeb ur Rehman is a mathematician with a PhD earned through the prestigious DAAD research program in Germany. His teaching expertise and interests extend from basic to the university levels, in the areas of algebra, topology, knot theory, cellular automata, and mathematical philosophy. As an active math educator and STEAM safeer, he regularly conducts math circles, seminars, and talks at various educational institutions. Besides, he also runs the 𝑶𝒑𝒆𝒏𝑴𝒂𝒕𝒉𝑪𝒊𝒓𝒄𝒍𝒆 Facebook page and YouTube channel.
- Imran Parvez Khan is a science educator with MS in mathematical physics from COMSATS university Islamabad. He is currently affiliated with IPK Institute for Advancement of Science. Apart from having a diverse teaching experience at university level, he has supervised undergraduate research projects on topology and recreational mathematics.
This session is free and open to all. Just visit the venue to attend it.
The Black Hole
Plot 5H, Street 100, G-11/3, Islamabad.
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