Jay Kappraff


Jay Kappraff is an American professor of mathematics at the New Jersey Institute of Technology and author.

Biography

Kappraff was trained in engineering, physical sciences and mathematics, earning a B.Ch.E. in chemical engineering at New York Polytechnic in 1958. He went on to be awarded a PhD in applied mathematics in 1974 from the Courant Institute of Mathematical Science, New York University and a M.S. in chemical engineering in 1960 from Iowa State University. He began work for DuPont DeNemours as a chemical engineer from 1961 to 1962 going on to teach mathematics for a brief period before obtaining a position at NASA as an aerospace engineer from 1962 until 1965. He went on to be an instructor of mathematics at the Cooper Union College, New York City from 1968 until 1974. Following this, he joined the New Jersey Institute of Technology, where he currently works. He was a consultant for the Department of Energy in 1976. In 1978 he developed a course in the mathematics of design for computer scientists, mathematicians and architects. In bringing together such an interdisciplinary range of subjects, he began to study what he termed a common language of design and geometry. He has been a prolific lecturer on the relationship between art and science and published a large number or articles on subjects ranging from plasma physics, solar heating, aerospace engineering and fractals. He has also published a number of books on these and related subjects and compiled a series of video lectures on the science of design. He is a skilled musician and a member of a Baroque ensemble, President of a local civic group and has organized a Chamber Music Workshop writing and directing a program entitled The Musicians and Artists of Terezin. He has also assisted a task force to improve voting machines in New Jersey. His other interests include playing violin and tennis, listening to chamber music and practicing t'ai chi.
In 1991 his book Connections won a prize for the best book in chemistry, physics, mathematics, astronomy and reference from the Association of American Publishers.

Professional activities

At the NJIT, Kapraff has organized various forums and tuition programs on subjects from Nuclear war and ancient geometry to experimental mathematics. he is a member of the faculty council and chairman of the NJIT Technology and Society Forum committee. He is a member of the Mathematics Association of America and on the editorial board of a new interdisciplinary journal, the International Journal of Biological Systems. He was also guest editor of the journal FORMA for a special issue on the golden mean in 2005.

Selected bibliography