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Department Events & Announcements

Events

• Nov

  30

  IDEAL Seminar - Benjamin Lovitz, University of Waterloo

  Department of Computer Science

  3:00 PM

  EVENT DETAILS

  Tuesday, November 30 at 3:00 pm CDT
  Speaker: Benjamin Lovitz, University of Waterloo
  Title: A generalization of Kruskal's theorem on tensor decomposition
  Type: This is a Hybrid talk
  Location:Mudd 3514
  
  Abstract:
  

  Tensors are natural generalizations of matrices to higher-way arrays. Decompositions of tensors into sums of product (rank-one) tensors are useful in many areas for compressing and interpreting the information stored in a tensor. The tensor rank, which naturally generalizes matrix rank, is the smallest number of product tensors that can decompose a given tensor. In contrast to matrices, tensor rank decompositions are often unique (up to trivialities). Uniqueness is useful in applications, as it corresponds to a unique interpretation of the information stored in a tensor. I will review a concrete application of uniqueness in unsupervised learning.
  Kruskal's theorem states that a sum of product tensors constitutes a unique tensor rank decomposition if the so-called k-ranks of the product tensors are large. We prove a "splitting theorem" for sets of product tensors, in which the k-rank condition of Kruskal's theorem is weakened to the standard notion of rank, and the conclusion of uniqueness is relaxed to the statement that the set of product tensors splits (i.e. is disconnected as a matroid). Our splitting theorem implies a generalization of Kruskal's theorem. While several extensions of Kruskal's theorem are already present in the literature, all of these use Kruskal's original permutation lemma, and hence still cannot certify uniqueness when the k-ranks are below a certain threshold. Our generalization uses a completely new (matroidal) proof technique, contains many of these extensions, and can certify uniqueness below this threshold.

  This talk is based on joint work with Pavel Gubkin and Fedor Petrov.

  Biography:
  Benjamin is a fourth-year PhD candidate in the Institute for Quantum Computing at the University of Waterloo. He studies tensors, with applications in algebraic statistics and quantum information theory. He is supported by the government of Ontario and the University of Waterloo through an Ontario Graduate Scholarship.

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  TIME Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

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  CONTACT Pam Villalovoz    pmv@northwestern.edu EMAIL

  CALENDAR Department of Computer Science

• Aug

  20

  Alumni Education Webinar: McCormick School of Engineering's Strategic Vision

  McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

  12:00 PM

  EVENT DETAILS

  Join us to explore the McCormick School of Engineering’s strategic vision and its vital role in advancing Northwestern’s top priorities. From groundbreaking research to transformative education, Northwestern Engineering is shaping solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges and working to advance Northwestern. During this presentation, you will learn directly from Dean Christopher Schuh on how our alumni community can come together to amplify this impact—through engagement, mentorship, philanthropy, and industry connections. Learn how your involvement can help unlock bold ideas and ensure Northwestern remains a global leader in engineering and beyond.

  Event Contact Info

  NAA Alumni Education
  alumnieducation@northwestern.edu

  Register Now

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  TIME Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

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  CONTACT Andi Joppie    andi.joppie@northwestern.edu EMAIL

  CALENDAR McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

• Sep

  8

  Welcome & Breakfast for New McCormick PhD Students

  McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

  9:00 AM LR2 & Tech East Plaza, Technological Institute

  EVENT DETAILS

  Enjoy a welcome from Dean Christopher A. Schuh and other McCormick leaders, and receive a Northwestern Engineering T-shirt. A free light breakfast on the Tech East Plaza will follow.

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  TIME Monday, September 8, 2025 at 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

  LOCATION LR2 & Tech East Plaza, Technological Institute    map it

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  CONTACT Andi Joppie    andi.joppie@northwestern.edu EMAIL

  CALENDAR McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

• Sep

  12

  New Undergraduate Fall 2025 Registration

  University Academic Calendar

  All Day

  EVENT DETAILS

  New Undergraduate Fall 2025 Registration

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  TIME Friday, September 12, 2025

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  CONTACT Office of the Registrar    nu-registrar@northwestern.edu EMAIL

  CALENDAR University Academic Calendar

• Sep

  15

  Welcome & Luncheon for New Full-time Graduate Students

  McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

  11:00 AM Ryan Auditorium & Tech East Plaza, Technological Institute

  EVENT DETAILS

  Enjoy a welcome from Dean Christopher A. Schuh and other McCormick leaders, and receive a Northwestern Engineering T-shirt. A free lunch on the Tech East Plaza will follow.

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  TIME Monday, September 15, 2025 at 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

  LOCATION Ryan Auditorium & Tech East Plaza, Technological Institute    map it

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  CONTACT Andi Joppie    andi.joppie@northwestern.edu EMAIL

  CALENDAR McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

• Sep

  16

  Fall Classes Begin. Change of Registration (Drop/Add) Late registration for returning students begins

  University Academic Calendar

  All Day

  EVENT DETAILS

  Fall Classes Begin. Change of Registration (Drop/Add) Late registration for returning students begins

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  TIME Tuesday, September 16, 2025

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  CONTACT Office of the Registrar    nu-registrar@northwestern.edu EMAIL

  CALENDAR University Academic Calendar

• Sep

  25

  Bagel Thursday

  Department of Computer Science (CS)

  9:00 AM

  EVENT DETAILS

  TBA

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  TIME Thursday, September 25, 2025 at 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

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  CONTACT Wynante R Charles    wynante.charles@northwestern.edu EMAIL

  CALENDAR Department of Computer Science (CS)