Marie Snipes joined the Kenyon math department in 2009. Her research interests lie in the field of geometric measure theory, an area of math that uses measure theory to analyze geometric properties of sets and has its origins in the study of soap films. Prior to her doctoral studies at the University of Michigan, Marie spent four years in the Air Force conducting statistical analyses and developing mathematical models of personnel data. This applied math experience complements her academic perspective as a mathematics instructor.
Outside the classroom, Marie studies applied topology through a hands-on study of continuous deformations of phyllosilicate minerals (in other words, throwing pottery). She also enjoys playing racquetball, Scrabble and chess.
Education
2009 — Doctor of Philosophy from University of Michigan
2005 — Master of Science from University of Michigan
1999 — Bachelor of Science from Harvey Mudd College
Courses Recently Taught
MATH 106
Elements of Statistics
MATH 106
This is a basic course in statistics. The topics to be covered are the nature of statistical reasoning, graphical and descriptive statistical methods, design of experiments, sampling methods, probability, probability distributions, sampling distributions, estimation and statistical inference. Confidence intervals and hypothesis tests for means and proportions will be studied in the one- and two-sample settings. The course concludes with inference regarding correlation, linear regression, chi-square tests for two-way tables, and one-way ANOVA. Statistical software will be used throughout the course, and students will be engaged in a wide variety of hands-on projects. No prerequisite. Offered every semester.
MATH 112
Calculus II
MATH 112
The second in a three-semester calculus sequence, this course has two primary foci. The first is integration, including techniques of integration, numerical methods and applications of integration. This study leads into the analysis of differential equations by separation of variables, Euler's method and slope fields. The second focus is the notion of convergence, as manifested in improper integrals, sequences and series, particularly Taylor series. Prerequisite: MATH 111 or AP score of 4 or 5 on Calculus AB exam or an AB subscore of 4 or 5 on the Calculus BC exam or permission of instructor. Offered every semester.
MATH 206
MATH 224
Linear Algebra
MATH 224
This course will focus on the study of vector spaces and linear functions between vector spaces. Ideas from linear algebra are highly useful in many areas of higher-level mathematics. Moreover, linear algebra has many applications to both the natural and social sciences, with examples arising often in fields such as computer science, physics, chemistry, biology and economics. In this course, we will use a computer algebra system, such as Maple or Matlab, to investigate important concepts and applications. Topics to be covered include methods for solving linear systems of equations, subspaces, matrices, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, linear transformations, orthogonality and diagonalization. Applications will be included throughout the course. Prerequisite: MATH 213. Generally offered three out of four semesters.
MATH 231
Mathematical Problem Solving
MATH 231
Looking at a problem in a creative way and seeking out different methods toward solving it are essential skills in mathematics and elsewhere. In this course, students will build their problem-solving intuition and skills by working on challenging and fun mathematical problems. Common problem-solving techniques in mathematics will be covered in each class meeting, followed by collaboration and group discussions, which will be the central part of the course. The course will culminate with the Putnam exam on the first Saturday in December. Interested students who have a conflict with that date should contact the instructor. Prerequisite: MATH 112 or a score of 4 or 5 on the BC Calculus exam or permission of instructor.
MATH 336
Probability
MATH 336
This course provides a calculus-based introduction to probability. Topics include basic probability theory, random variables, discrete and continuous distributions, mathematical expectation, functions of random variables and asymptotic theory. Prerequisite: MATH 213. Offered every fall.
MATH 360
Topology
MATH 360
Topology is an area of mathematics concerned with properties of geometric objects that remain the same when the objects are "continuously deformed." Three of these key properties in topology are compactness, connectedness, continuity and the mathematics associated with these concepts is the focus of the course. Compactness is a general idea helping us to more fully understand the concept of limit, whether of numbers, functions or even geometric objects. For example, the fact that a closed interval (or square, or cube, or n-dimensional ball) is compact is required for basic theorems of calculus. Connectedness is a concept generalizing the intuitive idea that an object is in one piece: the most famous of all the fractals, the Mandelbrot Set, is connected, even though its best computer-graphics representation might make this seem doubtful. Continuous functions are studied in calculus, and the general concept can be thought of as a way by which functions permit us to compare properties of different spaces or as a way of modifying one space so that it has the shape or properties of another. Engineering, chemistry and physics are among the subjects that find topology useful. The course will touch on selected topics that are used in applications. Prerequisite: MATH 222 or permission of instructor. Generally offered every two to three years.
MATH 493
Individual Study
MATH 493
Individual study is a privilege reserved for students who want to pursue a course of reading or complete a research project on a topic not regularly offered in the curriculum. It is intended to supplement, not take the place of, coursework. Individual study cannot be used to fulfill requirements for the major. Individual studies will earn 0.25–0.50 units of credit. To qualify, a student must identify a member of the mathematics department willing to direct the project. The professor, in consultation with the student, will create a tentative syllabus (including a list of readings and/or problems, goals and tasks) and describe in some detail the methods of assessment (e.g., problem sets to be submitted for evaluation biweekly; a 20-page research paper submitted at the course's end, with rough drafts due at given intervals, and so on). The department expects the student to meet regularly with his or her instructor for at least one hour per week. All standard enrollment/registration deadlines for regular college courses apply. Because students must enroll for individual studies by the end of the seventh class day of each semester, they should begin discussion of the proposed individual study preferably the semester before, so that there is time to devise the proposal and seek departmental approval before the registrar's deadline. Permission of instructor and department chair required. No prerequisite.\n\n
Academic & Scholarly Achievements
2013
David, G., and Snipes, M. A. A Non-probabilistic proof of the Assouad embedding theorem with bounds on the dimension. Analysis and Geometry in Metric Spaces, Vol. 1 (2013), 36--41.
2013
Snipes, M. A. Flat forms in Banach Spaces. J. Geom. Anal., Vol. 23 (2013), 490-538.
2012
Lutgendorf, M. A., Snipes, M. A., Rau, T., Busch, J. M., Zelig, C. M., and Magann, E. F. Reports to the Navy's Family Advocacy Program: Impact of removal of mandatory reporting for domestic violence. Mil. Med., Vol. 177 (2012), 702--708.
2008
Snipes, M. A., and Ward, L. A. Convergence properties of harmonic measure distributions for planar domains. Complex Var. Elliptic Equ., Vol. 53 (2008), 897--913.
2005
Snipes, M. A., and Ward L. A. Realising step functions as harmonic measure distributions of planar domains. Ann. Acad. Sci. Fenn. Math., Vol. 30 (2005), 353--360.