What is the $``\vec{w}h\alpha\mathfrak{t}\;\; i\mathbb{S}\ldots\text{?''}$ Seminar?

The $``\vec{w}h\alpha\mathfrak{t}\;\; i\mathbb{S}\ldots\text{?''}$ Seminar is a cycle of talks organized each semester by students at the three universities of Berlin, the Freie Universität Berlin, the Humboldt Universität zu Berlin and the Technische Universität Berlin. Each talk of the $``\vec{w}h\alpha\mathfrak{t}\;\; i\mathbb{S}\ldots\text{?''}$ Seminar is characterized by the following:

1. It lasts around half an hour.
2. It introduces a mathematical idea or object answering a question of the form “What is...?”.
3. It is directed to mathematics students or mathematicians unfamiliar with the exposed field.
4. It happens in an open and relaxed environment where comments and questions are welcome.

When is the $``\vec{w}h\alpha\mathfrak{t}\;\; i\mathbb{S}\ldots\text{?''}$ Seminar?

The $``\vec{w}h\alpha\mathfrak{t}\;\; i\mathbb{S}\ldots\text{?''}$ Seminar takes place almost every Friday of each of the semesters either as a prelude to a BMS Friday Colloquium or as a stand-alone talk by a student wanting to speak a particular topic. The talks usually take place at 13:00, although there can be variations for those sessions that happen on a non-BMS Friday.

Where is the $``\vec{w}h\alpha\mathfrak{t}\;\;i\mathbb{S}\ldots\text{?''}$ Seminar taking place?

The $``\vec{w}h\alpha\mathfrak{t}\;\; i\mathbb{S}\ldots\text{?''}$ Seminar has four primary locations:

• Urania Berlin (Ur). [$\mathcal{D}$irections]. This is the usual location when the $``\vec{w}h\alpha\mathfrak{t}\;\; i\mathbb{S}\ldots\text{?''}$ Seminar takes place before one of the BMS Friday Colloquia.
• Freie Universität Berlin (FU). [$\mathcal{D}$irections]. Usually at either the building at Arnimallee 6 or the one at Arnimallee 2 of the Institut für Mathematik.
• Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU). [$\mathcal{D}$irections]. Usually at the BMS Seminar Room (RUD 25 1.023), in the first floor of the Institut für Mathematik.
• Technische Universität Berlin (TU). [$\mathcal{D}$irections]. Usually at the BMS Seminar Room (MA212), in the second floor of the Institut für Mathematik.

However, the talks can take place in other places on exceptional dates.

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Support

The $``\vec{w}h\alpha\mathfrak{t}\;\; i\mathbb{S}\ldots\text{?''}$ Seminar receives the support of the

which is the the graduate school of mathematics of the three univeristies of Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Technische Universität Berlin. The BMS provides the $``\vec{w}h\alpha\mathfrak{t}\;\; i\mathbb{S}\ldots\text{?''}$ Seminar with video equipment, seminar rooms and funding for several events.