The Weizmann Institute of Science Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science Special Guest Lecture Michael Grinfeld University of Strathclyde will speak on Conley Index and Singular Perturbation Problems: 3 Room 229 (Pekeris Room) on Wednesday, February 10, 2010 11:00 - 13:00 Abstract: Singular perturbations thinking lies at the heart of Conley index theory, being the basis of transition matrix theory, for example. On the other hand, applying Conley index theory to particular singularly perturbed problems is a recent development. In these lectures I will discuss the stages of the Conley index approach to singularly perturbed problems, covering all the necessary index theory in the process. In more detail, the stages are: I. Locating singular isolating neighbourhoods; II. Constructing singular index pairs; III. Computing the index; IV. Drawing conclusions. Lecture 1 will cover stage I, Lecture 2 will cover stage II, Lecture 3 will cover stages III and IV. [Everything will be done from scratch. Only stage III requires ``serious" algebraic topology.] If time permits, I will compare this approach to that of geometric singular perturbation theory due to Fenichel, Jones and Kopell, which has found many new important applications lately. --------------------------------------------------------- Technion Math Net-2 (TECHMATH2) Editor: Gershon Wolansky Announcement from: Diana Mandelik