Branes and Quiver Gauge Theories

I will describe how studies of the dynamics of branes in string theory leads to interesting classes of supersymmetric gauge theories in various dimensions and various supersymmetries These classes include brane intervals and theories with 8 supercharges brane tilings and theories with 4 supercharges We will go over a variety of phenomena in such brane systems and compare with phenomena in supersymmetric gauge theories emphasizing connections with various topics in geometry Refreshments are served at 3:20pm