Extremal Combinatorics at Illinois (EXCILL)

组合学是研究离散构型的存在、列举和优化的学科。作为数学中迅速增长的一部分，它在计算机科学、运筹学、遗传学以及其他自然科学和社会科学中都有应用。这些领域反过来又产生了许多具有挑战性的组合问题。这个项目强调组合学的最优化或“极端”方面。它支持由伊利诺伊大学厄巴纳-香槟分校数学系于2006年11月18-20日主办的关于极值组合问题的会议，名为《伊利诺伊州的极端组合学》(EXCILL)。组委会由J.Balogh(秘书)、Z.Furedi、S.Hartke、A.Kostochka和D.B.West组成。讨论的主题包括极值集合论、图和超图的着色理论、Ramsey理论、圈图、离散几何和组合学中的概率方法。届时将有六场由该领域顶尖专家主讲的讲座，以及超过15场受邀的额外讲座。演讲者将包括来自世界各地的资深研究人员和来自不同背景的后起之秀。这次会议将是离散数学界的一件大事。鼓励和支持研究生和青年研究人员参与，帮助培养下一代研究人员。

Combinatorics is the study of existence, enumeration, andoptimization of discrete configurations. A rapidly growing partof mathematics, it has applications in computer science,operation research, genetics, and other natural and socialsciences. These fields in turn generate many challengingcombinatorial problems. This project emphasizes the optimizationor ``extremal'' aspects of combinatorics. It supports aconference on extremal combinatorial problems, entitled``Extremal Combinatorics at Illinois'' (EXCILL), hosted by theDepartment of Mathematics of the University of Illinois atUrbana-Champaign on November 18-20, 2006. The organizingcommittee consists of J. Balogh (Secretary), Z. Furedi, S.Hartke, A. Kostochka, and D. B. West.Topics to be discussed include extremal set theory, coloringtheory for graphs and hypergraphs, Ramsey theory, cycles ingraphs, discrete geometry, and probabilistic methods incombinatorics. There will be six main lectures delivered byleading experts in the field and more than 15 additional invitedtalks. Speakers will include senior researchers and rising starsfrom around the world and from a variety of backgrounds. Theconference will be a major event in the Discrete Mathematicscommunity. Participation by graduate students and youngresearchers will be encouraged and supported to help developthe next generation of researchers.