Amos Ong, Ph.D.

I was born in Singapore on April 1965, the same year Singapore became independent from Malaysia. My brother and I were brought up by our grandparents on this tiny island nation. I had a very happy childhood. I always loved Mathematics and my only brother, who later became an artist, now lives in Vermont.

I got a Master of Arts degree from Canada and got another Master of Arts degree from Rochester, NY. After that, I pursued a Ph.D. on Algebraic Topology.

I met my wife while travelling in Jakarta in Indonesia and now we are married and have a beautiful daughter.

I like spending time with my family be it cooking or dining together or simply going for a walk around the neighborhood. I also like practicing Tai Chi and jogging.

I love teaching and enjoy inspiring students on all the different areas of Mathematics that once inspired me. I am still amazed by the Math that I learn and rediscovering many new things as I embark on my mathematical career.

Teaching Specialties

• Calculus
• Algebra
• Topology

Teaching Statement

I teach mainly Calculus I, II, or III. Sometimes, I'll be given classes on Linear Algebra or Technical Calculus that does not have sine or cosine to teach.

For lower-level classes, I believe in engaging them in class activities and doing worksheets after every topic. I tell them learning Calculus is very similar to joining a swim team. Both need daily practice, the more you do, the better you become. After you learn the techniques, then you can start to enjoy it.

Research Interests

I did my doctorate in Algebraic Topology, but I also published in other areas of Mathematics. I am now working with Dr. Galiffa on Special Functions and have an interest in Golay Code with Dr. Becker. Dr. Galiffa and I have finished Case One of the paper entitled "A Characterization of an Askey-Wilson Difference Equation." This is a paper that characterizes orthogonal polynomials base on the Structure Equation given by the Askey-Wilson divided difference operator and the Three-Term Recurrence Relation.

We are working on Case Two of the same problem and there is hope that we might be able to discover some more sets of Orthogonal Polynomials.