Theodore ShifrinDepartment of Mathematics
University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602
(706) 542-2556
Fax: (706) 542-5907
Email: shifrin@math.uga.edu
Office: 444 Boyd Graduate Studies
Office hours:
Department of Mathematics
University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602
(706) 542-2556
Fax: (706) 542-5907
Email: shifrin@math.uga.edu
Office: 444 Boyd Graduate Studies
Office hours:
Monday 10-11, 2:30–4:00
Tuesday 11–12:30 Wednesday 9-10
Thursday 2-3
Friday 1–2:30
or by appointment
I'm Professor of Mathematics
at 
.
I am now the Associate
Head of the Mathematics Department. I was the recipient of
a Lothar Tresp Oustanding Honors Professor Award in 2002 and one
of five recipients of the 1997 Josiah
Meigs Award for Excellence in Teaching at The University
of Georgia. I was the 2000 winner of the Award
for Distinguished College or University Teaching of Mathematics,
Southeast section, presented by the Mathematical Association of
America. My research interests are in differential geometry and
complex algebraic geometry. You may consult my current Vita
and Publication List and contact
me by email if you'd like any preprints or reprints.
If you'd like to see the "text" of my talk at the MAA
Southeastern Section meeting, March 30, 2001, entitled Tidbits of Geometry Through the Ages,
you may
download a .pdf file.
I am the Honors adviser for students majoring
in Mathematics at The University of Georgia. I also advise Honors
freshmen and sophomores majoring in Computer Science, Physics,
Physics & Astronomy, and Statistics. If you would like to
see how the Honors Program
at The University of Georgia has recently garnered national attention,
you might try the cover story of the September 16, 1996 issue
of U.S. News & World Report, p.
109. (I have a personal stake in this, of course.)
I have written a senior-level mathematics text, Abstract
Algebra: A Geometric Approach, published by Prentice
Hall in 1996. You might want to refer to the list
of typos and emendations. Please email
me if you find other errors or have any comments or suggestions.
Malcolm Adams and I completed a linear
algebra text, Linear
Algebra: A Geometric Approach, published by W.H. Freeman
in 2002. Our approach puts greater emphasis on both geometry and
proof techniques than most books currently available; somewhat
novel is a discussion of the mathematics of computer graphics.
We are maintaining a list of errata and
typos; please email
me if you find any others. We are currently (starting summer, 2008)
at work on a second edition; any comments or suggestions would be
welcome.
My textbook Multivariable
Mathematics: Linear Algebra, Multivariable Calculus, and Manifolds
was published by J. Wiley & Sons in 2004. The text integrates
the linear algebra and calculus material, emphasizing the theme
of implicit versus explicit. It includes proofs
and all the theory of the calculus without giving short shrift
to computations and physical applications. There is, as always,
the obligatory list of errata and
typos; please email
me if you have any comments or have discovered any errors. Click here
if you want a list of errata in the solutions manual.
I have written some informal class notes for MATH 4250/6250,
Differential Geometry: A First
Course in Curves and Surfaces. They are available in .pdf
format, and, as usual, comments and suggestions are always welcome.
They have been recently revised.
I teach a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate courses,
but particularly enjoy teaching:
During 2007-2008, I have taught
MATH 2400(H)–2410(H) (Calculus with Theory) —Fall and spring semesters — MWF 11:15–12:05 and R 11–12:15
MATH 2400(H)-2410(H) will follow the new edition (in progress) of Mike Spivak's wonderful text Calculus; this is a truly "mathematical" treatment of calculus. Even though most students will have had AP calculus (and may keep their AP credit for MATH 2250), no prior knowledge of calculus is assumed, but proofs and a deep understanding of the underlying concepts will be stressed. We will also cover a wide variety of applications, especially in the second semester. Any student who is interested in a highly demanding and interactive mathematics experience is welcome.
This is an introduction to the geometry of curves and surfaces in three-space. We will discuss various local and global results. For example, in order to form a knot, a space curve must have total curvature at least 4π. The Gauss-Bonnet Theorem is one of the glorious results relating the topology of a closed surface to its curvature. Prerequisites for this class are MATH 2500 and MATH 3000 (or MATH 3500–3510). The text will be my notes, available here in .pdf form, or, for $11.35, at Baxter Street Books (360 Baxter Street).
During 2008-2009, I plan to teach
MATH 3500(H)–3510(H)
(Multivariable Mathematics) — MWF 11:15–12:05
This is an integrated year-long course in
multivariable calculus and linear algebra. It includes all the material
in MATH 2500 and MATH 3000, along with additional applications and
theoretical material. There is greater emphasis on proofs, and the pace
is quick. Typically the class consists of a blend of sophomores (some
of whom have had MATH 2400(H)–2410(H), others of whom have had MATH
2260 or 2310H and
MATH 3200) and freshmen who've earned a 5 on the AP Calculus BC exam.
The text is my recent book, Multivariable
Mathematics: Linear Algebra, Multivariable Calculus, and Manifolds.
FRES 1010
(Freshman Seminar: The Mathematics of Escher) — fall semester M 3:35-4:25 (call
#48-672)
During summer 2009 I
will direct a NSF-sponsored research group for in-service secondary
mathematics teachers. We will explore some advanced topics in geometry
and algebra.
Undergraduate Mathematics Information (including advice on majoring in mathematics, job opportunities, alumni web pages)
UGA's Sexual Orientation Policy
Because of rampant paranoia on the part of the UGA administration, I am "obliged" to add the following disclaimer:
The content and opinions expressed on this webpage do not necessarily reflect the views of nor are they endorsed by the University of Georgia or the University System of Georgia.