Report on activities of Newcastle University Maths Society

There follows a report I have received of the 2008/9 activities of the Newcastle University Maths Society by Stacey Aston. An IMA University Liaison Grant was used to support the guest lectures, raffle, decorations and advertising materials for the Christmas Party and materials and prizes for the regular quizzes. Details about University Liaison Grants to support the activities of mathematical student groups are available through the IMA Student webpage at www.ima.org.uk/student.

Peter Rowlett

The 08/09 academic year was yet again a great one for the Newcastle University Maths Society. We kicked off the events with a pub crawl in the first week. With involvement from the first years greater than ever we knew there were some fun times ahead. The pub crawls continued once a month, with the best being when we introduced a ‘ravers’ theme. To add to these we started a monthly quiz, these became so popular, among students and staff alike, that they were noticed by the school who now sponsor us to help pay for them.

November witnessed the first of our guest lectures, given by Peter Rowlett. This was an introductory talk on Cryptography followed by an interactive session giving students the opportunity to test there deciphering skills using a computer programme. This was followed by a trip to the outdoor ice skating rink later in the month as well as a meal at the local Chinese. To bid everyone a fond farewell at the end of the first term we held a Christmas Party. A three-course meal, free raffle and complimentary drinks made sure the night was a fitting end to an exciting and eventful first term.

In January we saw off the exam period in style with a weekend trip to Amsterdam, by far the biggest event the Maths Society has seen in a few years. Further to this we organised another guest lecture given by Prof. Robin Johnson on the History of Mathematics, a couple of Deloitte career talks and an outing to Durham to go bowling. This ensured we had a second term jam pack with events.

The final term provided our members with the last of our guest lectures. Another given by Peter Rowlett, this time a talk based around the Wii called Spin in Ball Games. The year was finished off with a spectacular summer ball. The evening involved a gorgeous Spanish buffet followed by a three hour Tyne River cruise to end the year in style.

Stacey Aston, Newcastle University