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Professor Alan Parks
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Moodle (Fall Term 2020 -- coming in August!) |
Links on this page. |
Extenal links. Lawrence Mathematics Department American Mathematical Society LaTex information Mathematical Assocation |
Leonhard Euler Lawrence University |
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You have learned a mathematical subject if you can reconstruct its basic definitions and facts on your own, and if you can apply those facts in a variety of contexts. Mathematics is about getting a great many consequences from a few central facts, not about memorizing lists of facts or equations.
Applications and theory are not alternatives; indeed, they are strongly related to each other. For instance, the Intermediate Value Theorem says that if f(x) is continuous on the interval [r,t], and if f(r) < 0 < f(t), then there is a number s between r and t such that f(s) = 0. An applied approach to this fact might produce approximations to the number s; an abstract approach might ask for a rigorous proof that the Intermediate Value Theorem is true. There is such a proof that produces approximations in the course of its argument. The details (and a more precise statement of the theorem) are here.
During the 2019-20 year, I am finishing a paper involving the connections between music theory and mathematics.
I work in applied mathematics, including optimization, coding theory, and mathematical dynamics. These areas form a well-traveled corridor between mathematics and physics, chemistry, economics, biology, and other subjects.
I am an action-oriented programmer interested in the theory of computation, coding theory, and the analysis of algorithms. "Action oriented" programming stresses the selection and organization of the algorithms used in a program, as opposed to "object oriented" programming which manages a program by the abstract description of objects. I am rarely interested in code that is abstractly portable, and I do not hide methods in my data structures. On the other hand, I am a firm believer in careful documentation. I currently use python and R; in the past I have written applications in java, C++, Objective-C, Scheme, html, FORTRAN, pascal, matlab, ALGOL, and a couple of assembly languages.
Service in the Lawrence Community.
I serve as one of the faculty advisors to Lawrence Christian Fellowship. During 2019-20 I am the college faculty representative on the Conservatory Advisory Committee.
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My wife Jean and I have three children and five grandchildren. The upper left-hand picture was taken in the Grand Canyon, where we vacationed in December, 2016. Last year we celebrated our 40th anniversary by touring Ireland.
Here is a Structured Devotion that has forms, readings, and prayers for morning and evening prayer.
I am involved with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, an organization that serves undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty through its various ministries. The InterVarsity chapter at Lawrence is called LCF; it is one of the oldest campus organizations. I am also involved in the Appleton Gospel Church which currently meets at the YMCA on Sundays at 10.
I am a serious amateur musician, writing and playing mostly church worship music but also blues (especially gospel blues: Willie Johnson, Gary Davis, Son House, Elmore James, Muddy Waters, and others), rural folk music (Stanley Carter, Ricky Skaggs, Gillian Welch, and others), and some jazz (Wes Montgomery, but also early folks like Django, Bix, and the Duke). And throw in a preoccupation with Beethoven and with early sacred music, especially Bach, Vivaldi, and Palestrina.
The picture to the right portrays John Henry Newman (1801-1890), whose works are linked here. Newman's book The Idea of the University presents an alternative view of the liberal arts based on the metaphysics of orthodox Christianity.
Proud user links.
The Oxford Comma.
The Heritage H-535. The blond. Expressive rhythm, lead lines, blues, jazz.
The American Professional Strat. The green leaf.
D'Angelico Excel EXL-1. Acoustic with an electric/jazz vibe. The DisCount, aka Count Basic.
Fender
Deluxe Reverb. Clean living.
Dr Z amps. The Maz 18. Class A bliss.
Breedlove acoustics. Ideal for live sound.
Fulltone effects. Non-clean living.
The Wampler Ego. Just leave your compressor on.
TC Electronics modulation: delay, tremelo, reverb.
Really, really good music stores: Elderly Instruments in Lansing. Vintage and modern gear at Willie's American Guitars in St. Paul, and the very friendly high-end Humbucker Music in Georgia.Also Dave's in LaCrosse.
Disclaimer: I take responsibility for the content of this page. It attempts to represent my work at Lawrence University and my attitude toward that work. Although I do not claim to represent official policies of Lawrence University, I believe that my views are entirely consistent with those policies. Any questions or comments should be directed to myself.
