Speaker: Prof. J.A. Makowsky
Title: On a problem by E. Specker

Abstract:
Specker proved an amazing theorem in finite model theory,
which states roughly the following:
Let m be a natural number, and \phi be Monadic Second Order
sentence over unary and binary relations only.
Then the number of finite models of \phi
is ultimately periodic modulo m.

It is not know whether this also holds for ternary relations.

I will explain the theorem, sketch the ingredients of the proof,
and discuss the difficulties encountered for the case of
ternary relations.