Andrew Dykstra

Associate Chair, Professor of Mathematics

Area of Study

Name

Mathematics and Statistics

Contact

Phone

315-859-4360

Email Address

adykstra@hamilton.edu

Location

Christian A. Johnson Hall 122

Andrew Dykstra’s research is in dynamical systems. He is especially interested in symbolic dynamics and ergodic theory. Dykstra earned his doctorate from the University of Maryland and a bachelor’s degree from Carleton College. Before joining the Hamilton faculty, he spent two years as the Yates Postdoctoral Fellow at Colorado State University.

Recent Courses Taught

Calculus 1, 2, and 3
Linear Algebra
Ordinary Differential Equations
Partial Differential Equations
Real Analysis
Senior Seminar in Dynamical Systems
Senior Seminar in Mathematical Modeling

Research Interests

Dynamical systems, ergodic theory, symbolic dynamics

Distinctions

John R. Hatch Excellence in Teaching Award, Hamilton College, 2012
Best Teacher Award (nominated by students), Colorado State University Alumni Association, 2008
Distinguished Teaching Assistant Award, University of Maryland Center for Teaching Excellence, 2007
First place, Excellence in Teaching Award for Graduate Assistants, University of Maryland Mathematics Department, 2006
VIGRE Dissertation Fellowship, fall 2005 and spring 2006
Goldhaber Travel Grant, summer 2005
Honorable mention, Excellence in Teaching Award for Graduate Assistants, University of Maryland Mathematics Department, 2002
Magna cum laude, Carleton College, 2001

Selected Publications

Bratteli diagrams for bounded topological speedups, with Drew D. Ash and Michelle LeMasurier, Dynamical Systems 38:2 (2023), 246 - 267.
Subsystems of transitive subshifts with linear complexity, with Nicholas Ormes and Ronnie Pavlov, Ergodic Theory and Dynamical Systems 42 (2022), 1967 - 1993.
Topological conjugacy for the Morse minimal system: an example, with Michelle LeMasurier, Topology Proceedings 55 (2020), 265-271.
The Morse minimal system is nearly continuously Kakutani equivalent to the binary odometer, with Ayse Sahin, Journal d’Analyse Mathématique 132 (2017), 311 - 353.
Topological conjugacy to given constant length substitution minimal systems, with Ethan Coven, Michelle LeMasurier, and Mike Keane, Indagationes Mathematicae (N.S.) 25 (2014), no. 4, 646 - 651.

A short proof of a theorem of Cobham on substitutions, with Ethan Coven and Michelle LeMasurier, Rocky Mountain Journal of Mathematics 44, No. 1 (2014), 19-22.
Any two irrational rotations are nearly continuously Kakutani equivalent, with Daniel J. Rudolph, Journal d’Analyse Mathématique 110, No. 1 (2010), 339-384.
Weak equivalence for shifts of finite type, with Joseph Barth, Indagationes Mathematicae 18, Iss. 4 (2007), 495-506.
Right closing almost conjugacy for G-shifts of finite type, Colloquium Mathematicum 104, No. 2 (2006), 207-221.

College Service

Committee on Admission and Financial Aid Faculty Appeals Board (2022 - 2023)
Teaching Load Committee (2022)
Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning Advisory Committee (2020 - present)
Faculty Secretary (2019 - 2020)
New Faculty Mentor (2018 - 2020; 2021 - present)
Blue Ribbon Committee on Greek Life (2018)
Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Board (2016 - 2018)
Sexual Harassment Working Group (2017)
Speaking Advisory Committee (2015 - 2017)
Root Hall Building Committee (2015-2016)
Student Activities Committee (2011 - 2015)
Study Abroad Departmental Point Person (2018 - present)
Greek Recruitment Advisory Committee (2013)
Society of Actuaries Representative (2012 - 2016)
Rainbow Alliance (faculty advisor, 2014 - 2016)
Chess Club (faculty advisor, 2021 - present)
Bridge and Pinochle Club (faculty advisor, 2012 - 2016)
Fine Dining Club (faculty advisor, 2014 - 2016)
Advising (2010 - present)

Appointed to the Faculty

2009

Educational Background

Ph.D., University of Maryland
B.A., Carleton College

Personal Interests

Piano