One of the goals of this summer school is to capitalize on the successful Fields Institute ``Combinatorial Algebraic Geometry'' Major Thematic Program in Fall 2016 and to offer beginning graduate students a chance to get an in-depth introduction to some of the exciting topics within Combinatorial Algebraic Geometry during the week before the Retrospective Workshop (to be held June 18--22, 2018 at the Fields Institute) on the same theme.
  

Lecturers 

- Kiumars Kaveh (University of Pittsburgh) 
- Johannes Hofscheier (McMaster)

Dr. Kaveh and Dr. Hofscheier will each give a 5-day series of lectures on these topics of interest to Combinatorial Algebraic Geometry. We expect Dr. Kaveh to focus on Newton-Okounkov bodies and tropical geometry, with Dr. Hofscheier focusing primarily on spherical geometry.  Lectures will be held in the morning, with problem sessions and informal discussions in the afternoon.

Getting to McMaster

McMaster University is located in Hamilton, Ontario. The two airports near Hamilton are The Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and the John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (YHM).

From YYZ, there is a GO bus route to the downtown Hamilton GO Centre; the rout e name is "the Hamilton / Richmond Hill Pearson Express" and a schedule can be found at http://www.gotransit.com/timetables/en/schedules/schedules_window.aspx?t...

From YHM, the local HSR bus system provides a bus from YHM to downtown Hamilton;  McMaster University can be reached via bus from the Hamilton GO Centre.

The GO bus schedules can be found here: GO Transit (https://beta.gotransit.com/); the HSR bus schedule can be found here: HSR (https://www.hamilton.ca/hsr-bus-schedules-fares.

For additional  information on traveling to McMaster, please see McMaster's webpage on directions: https://www.mcmaster.ca/welcome/directions.cfm

Parking

If you are driving, the green spaces on the map http://www.mcmaster.ca/welcome/images/campus_map.pdf indicates the parking lots; the lots closest to the department are Lots B, C, and I. The fees depend on which lot you park at. The rates can be found at: http://parking.mcmaster.ca/Rates.html

Accomodation

There are a number of hotels in Hamilton that are within a 5 to 10 minute drive from campus, or reachable via public transportation.   Here are some suggestions:

●    Hotel McMaster (https://housing.mcmaster.ca/hotelmcmaster/)  Stay on campus in the dorms.  The closest accommodation and probably the cheapest.  [Students supported by the conference will be staying here.]
●    Visitors Inn (http://www.visitorsinn.com/)
●    StayBridge Suites (https://www.ihg.com/staybridge/hotels/us/en/hamilton/yhmha/hoteldetail)
●    AirBnB (https://www.airbnb.ca/s/Hamilton--Canada)

Location

All talks in the morning will be in Hamilton Hall 305. For the afternoon, you may use any of the classrooms Hamilton Hall 207/302/305/410, or work at any of the tables located throughout the building.

The department is located in Hamilton Hall (building number 2 in the map: http://www.mcmaster.ca/welcome/images/campus_map.pdf).

Local Information

EATING OPTIONS ON CAMPUS

 Student Center (fast food, including Tim Hortons)

Phoenix Bar and Grill (pub beside Math Building)

RESTAURANTS NEAR MCMASTER (Westdale Area)

Dragon Court - 988 King St. W.

Delirious Burger - 1008 King St. W.

1010 Bistro - 1010 King St. W.

Bean Bar - 1012 King St. W

Snooty Fox - 1011 King St. W

Express Restaurant - 1034 King St. W

RESTAURANTS NEAR MCMASTER (Main Street Entrance)

Starbucks1341 Main St. W.

Subway 1331 Main St. W.

Williams Fresh Cafe 1309 Main St. W.

Exploring McMaster and Hamilton

On the Wednesday afternoon, you will have the opportunity to explore McMaster and Hamilton.  Here are some suggestions.

ON CAMPUS

McMaster Museum of Art -- McMaster’s own art gallery!  Two minutes away from the math building.

Bertrand Russell Archives -- McMaster is home to Russell’s archive, including his Nobel prize.   If you are interested, we can try to arrange a tour

DOWNTOWN

 Art Gallery of Hamilton -- 123 King St. W.   [Take Bus 05 on Main Street in front of the University, and get off at Main Street and McNab]

 James Street North -- This area contains a number of shops and restaurants.   [Take Bus 05 on Main Street in front of the University, and get off at Main Street and McNab.  James Street is < 5 minute walk from here]

WATERFRONT

 You can head down to Hamilton’s waterfront and explore the area (you can go to Bayfront Park and/or to Pier 8 where there is a cafe and if the weather is good, rollerskating).  You can reach the water using Bus 05 and then Bus 04.

HIKING

There are a number of hiking trails right behind McMaster that will eventually take you to Lake Ontario.   One trail starts behind the McMaster Fieldhouse (a local can hopefully point you in the correct direction).  Alternatively, you can take a bus to Princess Point, and start your hike at this point.