Mathematics Professor Retires after 37 Years at Penn State

15 July 2004 --Donald G. James, professor of mathematics, has retired after 37 years of service to the University. Throughout his career he has been involved in research in mathematical topics such as Algebraic Number Theory—the study of the properties of integral numbers using the methods of abstract algebra—especially Integral Quadratic Forms, a topic that has been studied for thousands of years and which has applications in geometry, topology, and recently in coding theory, as well. As James explains, “We all know that 3²+4²=5². Now try to find formulas that produce all positive integers x, y, and z in such a way that x²+y²=z². Pythagoras and Plato gave partial solutions, but the first complete solution was found in the third century A.D. by Diophantus, who is sometimes referred to as the Father of Algebra.”

Prior to coming to Penn State in 1966, James was a lecturer in mathematics at the University of Auckland in New Zealand in 1964 and 1965, a Fulbright Scholar at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology from 1960 to 1963, and a junior lecturer in physics at the University of Auckland in New Zealand in 1960. He has been a visiting professor at universities in England, Germany, and New Zealand as well as the United States, and he has delivered invited talks at institutions in the United States, Australia, Germany, Canada, China, Italy, New Zealand, Korea, Russia, and Chile.

James was born in Auckland, New Zealand. He received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and physics and a master’s degree with honors in mathematics from the University of Auckland in New Zealand and a doctoral degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is a member of the American Mathematical Society.

[ L A K ]

Penn State Home Page | Eberly College of Science | Find a Person | Locate a Building | Search | Site Index

Students | Alumni | Visitors | Researchers | Faculty and Staff | Postdoctoral Fellows | Corporate Interests
Academic Programs | Research | Dean's Office | Development and Alumni Relations | News and Events | Directory

This page was last updated on 15 July 2004

If you would like to communicate with the keepers of the Eberly College of Science Web server, send electronic mail to: science-web@thunder.science.psu.edu
Technology Webmaster: Joseph K. Carlson < jkc3@psu.edu >
Content Webmaster: Barbara Kennedy < science@psu.edu >