معرفی
Michael P. Hitchman is a Professor in the Mathematics Department at Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon. His office is located in Taylor Hall 212, and he can be reached at 503-883-2430 or mhitchm@linfield.edu.
Dr. Hitchman's educational background includes:
- B.A. in Mathematics from Swarthmore College
- Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Oregon
His research focuses on topology, geometry, and the mathematics of tiling, with particular interest in cosmic topology—the study of the universe's shape. He has participated in collaborative research with students on tiling questions and developed educational resources including a freely available textbook on non-Euclidean geometry. His work bridges theoretical mathematics with accessible pedagogy, exploring connections between topology and geometry in both two and three dimensions.
Dr. Hitchman's publications demonstrate his dual commitment to rigorous mathematical scholarship and engaging communication. His freely available text 'Geometry with an Introduction to Cosmic Topology' makes advanced concepts accessible, while 'The Story of 8' exemplifies his creative approach to mathematical exposition. His work often reveals unexpected connections between abstract theory and tangible phenomena.
Dr. Hitchman teaches a comprehensive range of courses including calculus, topology, geometry, analysis, probability and statistics, and astronomy. His mentoring of undergraduate research in tiling problems demonstrates his commitment to involving students directly in mathematical discovery. He has developed specialized resources for courses like MATH 140 (Intro to Statistics) and created the humorous yet mathematically sound 'Story of 8' to engage students with numerical properties.
Though specific research laboratories aren't mentioned, Dr. Hitchman maintains an active scholarly presence through his publications, website resources (mphitchman.com), and integration of technology like PreTeXt and Geogebra in mathematical education. His research on cosmic topology connects pure mathematics with cosmological questions about the universe's fundamental structure.
