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Algebraic Number Theory, Math 4151/9051A, Fall 2019

Class times and location: MWF at 1:30--2:30pm in MC 108

Overview

This is an introduction to algebraic number theory.  Specific topics we will study include number fields and rings, algebraic numbers and integers, prime factorization in integer rings, and class and unit groups of integer rings.  Depending on the available time, other potential topics are zeta functions of number fields, counting primes in integer rings, and (very basic) class field theory.

One of the leading contributors to the field was Richard Dedekind, and like many others, he was inspired by Fermat's Last Theorem.  The history of the theorem is long and convoluted, and complicated by the fact that it was not proven until 1994, long after his death.  As is well known (in number theory), Fermat claimed to have a proof but lacked the space to prove it, and all attempts since then to rediscover his proof have failed.  We now believe that his proof assumed certain commutative rings were all principal ideal domains.  However, not all relevant rings are PIDs, so the proof would have been flawed.  Rather, one needs Dedekind's notion of ideal numbers to recover a suitable notion of prime factorization.  We will retrace some of their steps.

Instruction

Instructor: Chris Hall

Office Hours: after class

Text: There are two texts for this course:

    I. Stewart and D. Tall, Algebraic Number Theory and Fermat's Last Theorem;

Other nice references include:

    D.A. Marcus, Number Fields;

    D. Cox, Primes of the Form x²+ny²;

    D. Lorenzini, An Invitation to Arithmetic Geometry;

    G.J. Janusz, Algebraic Number Fields;

    S. Lang, Algebraic Number Theory;

    J. Neukirch, Algebraic Number Theory.

These are of varying levels of difficulty, so browse a few before choosing one.  (None is required though!)

Expectations

Dropbox: I will share electronic articles and notes using Dropbox.  Please provide me with the e-mail address you use to login.

Attendance: Our class is small and someone's absence can greatly impact the rest of the class. Therefore you are expected to attend class or to let me know in advance when you are unable to attend.

Exercises: There will be exercises sets assigned throughout the semester, six to eight.  I will post the list of exercises on OWL with a due date (typically one week after the assignment opens).  You should typeset your answers and submit an electronic version via TBD.

Projects: Each person must schedule a 60-minute meeting with me during the exam period Dec 8--19 for a private oral exam.  Please complete a survey to indicate what times would work for you; I will be the only one who sees your answers, and I will use it during the last week of class to schedule the exams.  If you need me to commit before Dec 8 to the date of your exam, please let me know asap. 

To prepare for this exam you must:

You should certainly meet with me if you have questions or concerns about how to prepare.  At the exam in December we will discuss your project and analyze your document.

Evaluation

Basis: Your performance will be measured using two tangible items: exercises and a project.  They will contribute 60% and 30% to respectively your final grade.  The remaining 10% consists of a grade for the oral exam. 

Scholastic offences: Scholastic offences are taken seriously and students are directed to read the appropriate policy, specifically, the definition of what constitutes a Scholastic Offence, at the following Web site:
http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/handbook/appeals/scholastic_discipline_grad.pdf

Course Policies:

Senate Policy on Prerequisites: Prerequisite checking is the student's responsibility.  Unless you have either the requisites for this course or written special permission from your Dean to enroll in it, you may be removed from this course and it will be deleted from your record. This decision may not be appealed. You will receive no adjustment to your fees in the event that you are dropped from a course for failing to have the necessary prerequisites.

Course Websites: Students should check OWL (http://owl.uwo.ca) or the course website (if not hosted on OWL) on a regular basis for news and updates for all of the courses in which they are enrolled. This is the primary method by which information will be disseminated to all students in each class. Students are responsible for checking OWL on a regular basis.

Email: Students must use their Western (@uwo.ca) email addresses when contacting their instructors.

Scholastic Offences: Scholastic Offences are taken seriously and students are directed to read the appropriate policy, specifically, the definition of what constitutes a Scholastic Offence, at the following Web sites:

http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/handbook/appeals/scholastic_discipline_undergrad.pdf
http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/handbook/appeals/scholastic_discipline_grad.pdf

Absence/Missed work: If you are unable to meet a course requirement due to illness or other serious circumstances, you must provide valid medical or other supporting documentation to your Dean's office as soon as possible and contact your instructor immediately.  It is the student's responsibility to make alternative arrangements with his or her instructor once the accommodation has been approved and the instructor has been informed.  In the event of a missed final exam, a "Recommendation of Special Examination" form must be obtained from the Dean's Office immediately.  For further information concerning UWO's Policy on Accomodation for Medical Illness please refer to this policy at:

https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/handbook/appeals/accommodation_medical.pdf

A student requiring academic accommodation due to illness should use the Student Medical Certificate when visiting an off-campus medical facility or request a "Record's Release Form" (located in the Dean's Office) for visits to Student Health Services.  The form can be found here:

https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/handbook/appeals/medicalform_15JUN.pdf

Make-up exams and conflicts: If you know ahead of time that you are unable to attend a midterm or final exam, you must let your instructor know at least two weeks in advance so alternative arrangements can be made.  See also the University's policy on final exam conflicts.

Accommodation and accessibility: If you are unable to meet a course requirement due to illness or other serious circumstances, you must seek approval for the absence as soon as possible. Approval can be granted either through a self-reporting of absence or via the Dean’s Office/Academic Counselling unit of your Home Faculty. If you are a Science student, the Academic Counselling Office of the Faculty of Science is located in NCB 280, and can be contacted at scibmsac@uwo.ca.

Academic Policies: The website for Registrarial Services is http://www.registrar.uwo.ca.