Courses of Study
Sections
Department of Mathematics
Last updated: August 28, 2009 at 11:16 a.m.
As our society becomes more technological, it is increasingly affected by mathematics. Quite sophisticated mathematics is now central to the natural sciences, to ecological issues, to economics, and to our commercial and technical life. A student who takes such general-level courses as MATH 5a, 8a, 10a, 10b, 15a, or 20a will better understand the world and be prepared to act in it.
Mathematics is, at the same time, a subject of the greatest depth and beauty with a history extending from antiquity. The department attempts to make this depth and beauty manifest. The undergraduate major introduces students to some fundamental fields—algebra, real and complex analysis, geometry, and topology—and to the habit of mathematical thought. Mathematics majors may go on to graduate school, scientific research, finance, actuarial science, or mathematics teaching, but many choose the major for its inherent interest.
Postbaccalaureate Program in Mathematics
The mathematics department offers a postbaccalaureate certificate program for students with a bachelor’s degree in a different field who wish to prepare for graduate school or a career requiring enhanced mathematical skills.
Graduate Program in Mathematics
The graduate program in mathematics is designed primarily to lead to the PhD. The formal course work gives the student a broad foundation for work in modern pure mathematics. An essential part of the program consists of seminars on a variety of topics of current interest in which mathematicians from Greater Boston often participate. In addition, the Brandeis-Harvard-MIT-Northeastern Mathematics Colloquium gives the student an opportunity to hear the current work of eminent mathematicians from all over the world.
Ira Gessel, Chair
Combinatorics.
Mark Adler
Analysis. Differential equations. Completely integrable systems.
Thomas Barnet-Lamb
Number theory.
Refik Inanc Baykur
Symplectic topology. 4-manifolds.
Joël Bellaïche
Number theory.
Mario Bourgoin
Knot theory.
Ruth Charney (on leave 2009-2010)
Geometric group theory. Topology.
Lior Fishman
Diophantine approximation. Geometric measure theory.
Ivan Horozov
Number theory.
Kiyoshi Igusa
Differential topology. Homological algebra.
Dmitry Kleinbock, Graduate Advising Head
Dynamical systems. Ergodic theory. Number theory.
Bong Lian, Undergraduate Advising Head
Representation theory. Calabi-Yau geometry. String theory.
Alan Mayer
Classical algebraic geometry and related topics in mathematical physics.
Susan Parker, Elementary Mathematics Coordinator
Combinatorics. Elementary mathematics instruction.
Daniel Ruberman
Geometric topology and gauge theory.
Pierre Van Moerbeke (on leave academic year 2009-2010)
Stochastic processes. Korteweg-deVries equation. Toda lattices.
B. Three additional semester courses, either MATH courses numbered 27 or higher or cross-listed courses. Most MATH courses numbered 27 or higher require MATH 23b as a prerequisite.
Students interested in analysis, physics, or applied mathematics are advised to choose additional courses from among MATH 35a, 36a, 36b, 37a, and 45a. Students interested in algebra or computer science are advised to consider MATH 28a, 28b, 30a, 30b, and 38b.
B. MATH 23b or exemption. See item E in Special Notes Relating to Undergraduates.
C. MATH 35a, 40a, or 45a.
D. MATH 28a, 28b, or 30a.
E. Four additional semester courses, either MATH courses numbered 27 or higher or cross-listed courses. A course used to satisfy the requirements for the major must be passed with a grade of C- or higher.
Honors
A degree with honors requires items A, B, C, and D above, as well as:
Six additional semester courses, either MATH courses numbered 27 or higher or cross-listed courses, passed with at least a grade of B. At least four of the courses used to satisfy the major requirement must be honors courses. The honors courses are MATH 30a, 30b, 32a, 34a, 38b, 40a, 40b, 45a, and all MATH courses numbered 100 or higher.Teacher Preparation Track
Students who complete the Brandeis program for Massachusetts High School Teacher Licensure (see the Education Program section in this Bulletin) may earn a bachelor's degree in mathematics by satisfying major requirements A, B, C, and D above and the following:
F. MATH 8a (Introduction to Probability and Statistics) or 36a (Probability).G. Two additional courses, either MATH courses numbered 27 or higher or cross-listed courses.
H. A computer science course numbered 10 or higher.
I. Completion of the High School Teacher Licensure Program.
B. Students planning to take MATH 10a or 10b or to place into MATH 15a or 20a should take the Calculus Placement Exam. This online exam can be found, along with instructions for scoring and interpreting the results, at www.brandeis.edu/registrar/newstudent/testing.html. Students planning to take MATH 22a must take the MATH 22a Placement Exam, which can be found at the same place.
Students with AP Mathematics credit should consult the chart on page 23 of this Bulletin to see which Brandeis mathematics courses are equivalent to their AP credit. Note: Students who want to use their AP score to place into an upper level course must still take the Calculus Placement Exam or the MATH 22a Placement Exam to make sure that their preparation is sufficient. Questions about placement should be directed to the elementary mathematics coordinator or the undergraduate advising head
C. The usual calculus sequence is MATH 10a, 10b, and 20a. Students may precede this sequence with MATH 5a. Many students also take MATH 15a (Applied Linear Algebra), which has MATH 5a (or placement out of MATH 5a) as a prerequisite. Students with a strong interest in mathematics and science are encouraged to take MATH 22a,b in place of MATH 15a and 20a.
D. A student may not receive credit for more than one of MATH 15a and 22a; or MATH 20a and 22b; or ECON 184b or 185a. Similarly, a student may not receive credit for all three of MATH 28a, 28b, and 30a.
E. Students should normally take MATH 23b before taking upper-level courses (i.e., those numbered above 23). For many students this means taking MATH 23b concurrently with MATH 15a or MATH 20a or MATH 22a or b. Students may also take MATH 23b concurrently with MATH 35a and MATH 36a as these do not have MATH 23b as a prerequisite. A student may be exempted from the requirement of taking MATH 23b by satisfactory performance on a placement exam. The placement exam will be given at the beginning of the fall semester.
F. Students interested in graduate school or a more intensive study of mathematics are urged to include all of the following courses in their program:1. MATH 22a and b.
2. MATH 30a and b.
3. MATH 35a or 40a and b.
4. MATH 45a.
A course numbered 100 or higher.
G. The following schedule determines course offerings in mathematics:1. Offered every semester are MATH 5a, 10a and b, 15a, 20a, and 23b.
2. Offered once each year are MATH 8a, 30a, 35a, 36a and b, 37a, 40a, 45a.
3. In addition, the following semester courses are usually offered every second year according to the following schedule:
a. even-odd years (e.g., 2010-2011): MATH 3a, 28a, 30b, 32a, and 47a.
b. odd-even years (e.g., 2009-2010): MATH 28b, 34a, 38b, 39a, 40b, and 56a.
H. The number of cross-listed courses used to satisfy the requirements for the major, the honors, or teacher preparation track must not exceed two; for the minor, the limit is one.
A. Two core courses: MATH 15a and MATH 20a.
B. Elective courses: At least four additional MATH courses. Students who have taken linear algebra and/or multivariable calculus prior to entering the program may substitute additional electives for these two courses. At most one cross-listed course may be used to fulfill the elective requirement.
The normal first year of study consists of MATH 101a and b, 111a and b, and 121a and b. With the permission of the graduate adviser, a student with superior preparation may omit one or more of these courses and elect higher-level courses instead. In this case the student must take an examination in the equivalent material during the first two weeks of the course. The second year's work will normally consist of MATH 110a and higher-level courses in addition to preparation for the qualifying examinations described below and participation in the second-year seminar. Upon completion of the qualifying examinations, the student will choose a dissertation adviser and begin work on a thesis. This should be accompanied by advanced courses and seminars.
Teaching Requirements
An important part of the doctoral program is participation, as a teaching fellow, in a structured program of undergraduate teaching. During the spring semester of the first year, every student takes part in our teaching apprenticeship program to learn basic classroom teaching skills. All graduate students are then expected to teach a section of calculus or precalculus for at least three semesters, usually beginning in the second year of study. Teaching fellows must also enroll every fall semester in the Teaching Practicum, in which their teaching is evaluated and discussed.
Residence Requirement
The minimum academic residence requirement is three years.
Language Requirement
Proficiency in reading one of French, German, or Russian, and one other language (besides English) determined with the consent of the adviser.
Qualifying Examination
The qualifying examination consists of two parts: a major examination and a minor examination. Both are normally completed by the end of the third year. For the major examination, the student will choose a limited area of mathematics (e.g., differential topology, several complex variables, or ring theory) and a major examiner from among the faculty. Together they will plan a program of study and a subsequent examination in that material. The aim of this study is to prepare the student for research toward the PhD. The minor examination will be more limited in scope and less advanced in content. Its subject matter should be significantly different from that of the major examination.
Dissertation and Defense
The doctoral degree will be awarded only after the submission and acceptance of an approved dissertation and the successful defense of that dissertation.
Courses of Instruction
(1-99) Primarily for Undergraduate Students
MATH
1a
Introduction to Mathematical Concepts
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Mathematical reasoning where it would be expected, and elsewhere. A variety of short topics involving games and puzzles, number theory, combinatorics, and topology. Usually offered every third year.
Staff
MATH
3a
Mathematics for Elementary and Middle School Teachers
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An in-depth exploration of the fundamental ideas underlying the mathematics taught in elementary and middle school. Emphasis is on problem solving, experimenting with mathematical ideas, and articulating mathematical reasoning. Usually offered every second year.
Staff
MATH
5a
Precalculus Mathematics
Does not satisfy the School of Science requirement.
Brief review of algebra followed by the study of functions. Emphasis on exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions. The course's goal is to prepare students for MATH 10a. The decision to take this course should be guided by the results of the mathematics placement exam. Usually offered every semester in multiple sections.
Staff (fall and spring)
MATH
8a
Introduction to Probability and Statistics
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Discrete probability spaces, random variables, expectation, variance, approximation by the normal curve, sample mean and variance, and confidence intervals. Does not require calculus; only high school algebra and graphing of functions. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Bourgoin (fall)
MATH
10a
Techniques of Calculus (a)
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Prerequisite: A satisfactory grade of C- or higher in MATH 5a or placement by examination.
Introduction to differential (and some integral) calculus of one variable, with emphasis on techniques and applications. Usually offered every semester in multiple sections.
Ms. Parker and Staff (fall), Mr. Bourgoin and Staff (spring)
MATH
10b
Techniques of Calculus (b)
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Prerequisite: A satisfactory grade of C- or higher in MATH 10a or placement by examination. Continuation of 10a. Students may not take MATH 10a and MATH 10b simultaneously.
Introduction to integral calculus of one variable with emphasis on techniques and applications. Usually offered every semester in multiple sections.
Mr. Bourgoin and Staff (fall), Ms. Parker and Staff (spring)
MATH
15a
Applied Linear Algebra
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Prerequisites: MATH 5a and permission of the instructor, placement by examination, or any mathematics course numbered 10 or above. Students may take MATH 15a or 22a for credit, but not both.
Matrices, determinants, linear equations, vector spaces, eigenvalues, quadratic forms, linear programming. Emphasis on techniques and applications. Usually offered every semester.
Staff (fall), Mr. Mayer (spring)
MATH
20a
Techniques of Calculus: Calculus of Several Variables
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Prerequisites: MATH 10a and b or placement by examination. Students may take MATH 20a or 22b for credit, but not both.
Among the topics treated are vectors and vector-valued functions, partial derivatives and multiple integrals, extremum problems, line and surface integrals, Green's and Stokes's theorems. Emphasis on techniques and applications. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Barnet-Lamb (fall), Staff (spring)
MATH
22a
Linear Algebra and Intermediate Calculus, Part I
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Prerequisite: MATH 22 placement exam and permission of the instructor. Students may take MATH 15a or 22a for credit, but not both.
MATH 22a and b cover linear algebra and calculus of several variables. The material is similar to that of MATH 15a and MATH 20b, but with a more theoretical emphasis and with more attention to proofs. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Kleinbock (fall)
MATH
22b
Linear Algebra and Intermediate Calculus, Part II
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Prerequisite: MATH 22a or permission of the instructor. Students may take MATH 20a or 22b for credit, but not both.
See MATH 22a for course description. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Lian (spring)
MATH
23b
Introduction to Proofs
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Prerequisites: MATH 15a, 20a, or 22a, or permission of the instructor.
Emphasizes the analysis and writing of proofs. Various techniques of proof are introduced and illustrated with topics chosen from set theory, calculus, algebra, and geometry. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Ruberman (fall), Mr. Igusa (spring)
MATH
28a
Introduction to Groups
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Prerequisites: MATH 23b and either MATH 15a or 22a, or permission of the instructor.
Groups. Lagrange's theorem. Modulo n addition and multiplication. Matrix groups and permutation groups. Homomorphisms, normal subgroups, cosets, and factor groups. Usually offered every second year.
Staff (spring)
MATH
28b
Introduction to Rings and Fields
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Prerequisites: MATH 23b and either MATH 15a, 22a, or permission of the instructor.
Fields. Z/p and other finite fields. Commutative rings. Polynomial rings and subrings of C. Euclidean rings. The quotient ring A/(f). Polynomials over Z. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Barnet-Lamb (spring)
MATH
30a
Introduction to Algebra, Part I
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Prerequisite: MATH 23b and MATH 22a, or permission of the instructor.
An introduction to the basic notions of modern algebra-rings, fields, and linear algebra. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Igusa (fall)
MATH
30b
Introduction to Algebra, Part II
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Prerequisite: MATH 30a or permission of the instructor.
A continuation of MATH 30a, culminating in Galois theory. Usually offered every second year.
Staff (spring)
MATH
32a
Differential Geometry
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Prerequisites: MATH 23b and either MATH 22b or permission of the instructor.
Results in the classical differential geometry of curves and surfaces are studied theoretically and also implemented as computer algorithms. Static images and animations of geometrical objects are illustrated using the mathematical visualization program 3D-XplorMath. Computer projects involving MathLab and Mathematica are important components of the course, and for those without prior experience in using these programming systems, appropriate training is provided. Usually offered every second year.
Staff
MATH
34a
Introduction to Topology
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Prerequisites: MATH 23b and either MATH 22a and b or permission of the instructor.
An introduction to point set topology, covering spaces, and the fundamental group. Usually offered every second year.
Staff
MATH
35a
Advanced Calculus
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Prerequisites: MATH 15a or 22a and MATH 20a or 22b.
Infinite series: convergence tests, power series, and Fourier series. Improper integrals: convergence tests, the gamma function, Fourier and Laplace transforms. Complex numbers. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Mayer (fall)
MATH
36a
Probability
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Prerequisite: MATH 20a or 22b.
Sample spaces and probability measures, elementary combinatorial examples. Random variables, expectations, variance, characteristic, and distribution functions. Independence and correlation. Chebychev's inequality and the weak law of large numbers. Central limit theorem. Markov and Poisson processes. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Adler (fall)
MATH
36b
Mathematical Statistics
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Prerequisite: MATH 36a or permission of the instructor.
Probability distributions, estimators, hypothesis testing, data analysis. Theorems will be proved and applied to real data. Topics include maximum likelihood estimators, the information inequality, chi-square test, and analysis of variance. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Bourgoin (spring)
MATH
37a
Differential Equations
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Prerequisites: MATH 15a or 22a and MATH 20a or 22b.
A first course in ordinary differential equations. Study of general techniques, with a view to solving specific problems such as the brachistochrone problem, the hanging chain problem, the motion of the planets, the vibrating string, Gauss's hypergeometric equation, the Volterra predator-prey model, isoperimetric problems, and the Abel mechanical problem. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Baykur (spring)
MATH
38b
Number Theory
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Prerequisites: MATH 23b and either MATH 22a or permission of the instructor.
Congruences, finite fields, the Gaussian integers, and other rings of numbers. Quadratic reciprocity. Such topics as quadratic forms or elliptic curves will be covered as time permits. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Bellaiche (spring)
MATH
39a
Introduction to Combinatorics
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Prerequisites: COSI 29a or MATH 23b.
Topics include graph theory (trees, planarity, coloring, Eulerian and Hamiltonian cycles), combinatorial optimization (network flows, matching theory), enumeration (permutations and combinations, generating functions, inclusion-exclusion), and extremal combinatorics (pigeonhole principle, Ramsey's theorem). Usually offered every second year.
Staff (fall)
MATH
40a
Introduction to Real Analysis, Part I
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Prerequisites: MATH 23b and MATH 22a and b or permission of the instructor.
MATH 40a and b give a rigorous introduction to metric space topology, continuity, derivatives, and Riemann and Lebesgue integrals. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Fishman (fall)
MATH
40b
Introduction to Real Analysis, Part II
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Prerequisite: MATH 40a or permission of the instructor.
See MATH 40a for course description. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Fishman (spring)
MATH
45a
Introduction to Complex Analysis
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Prerequisites: MATH 15a or 22a and MATH 20a or 22b, and MATH 23b or permission of the instructor.
An introduction to functions of a complex variable. Topics include analytic functions, line integrals, power series, residues, conformal mappings. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Mayer (spring)
MATH
47a
Introduction to Mathematical Research
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Prerequisite: MATH 23b or permission of the instructor.
Students work on research projects that involve generating data, making conjectures, and proving theorems, and present their results orally and in writing. Introduces applications of computers in mathematical research: symbolic computation, typesetting, and literature search. Usually offered every second year.
Staff
MATH
56a
Introduction to Stochastic Processes and Models
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Prerequisites: MATH 15a, 20a, and 36a.
Basic definitions and properties of finite and infinite Markov chains in discrete and continuous time, recurrent and transient states, convergence to equilibrium, Martingales, Wiener processes and stochastic integrals with applications to biology, economics, and physics. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Adler (spring)
MATH
98a
Independent Research
Usually offered every year.
Staff
MATH
98b
Independent Research
Usually offered every year.
Staff
(100-199) For Both Undergraduate and Graduate Students
Undergraduate students should consult with the instructor regarding the required background for each course.
MATH
101a
Algebra I
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Groups, rings, modules, Galois theory, affine rings, and rings of algebraic numbers. Multilinear algebra. The Wedderburn theorems. Other topics as time permits. Usually offered every year.
Staff
MATH
101b
Algebra II
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Continuation of MATH 101a. Usually offered every year.
Staff
MATH
109a
Differential Topology
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Introduction to the topology of smooth manifolds. Inverse/implicit function theorems, Morse theory, vector fields, Euler characteristics, intersections and transversally. Other topics may include classification of surfaces, Lefschetz fixed point theorem, and elementary knot theory. Usually offered every third year.
Mr. Baykur (fall)
MATH
110a
Geometric Analysis
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Manifolds, tensor bundles, vector fields, and differential forms. Frobenius theorem. Integration, Stokes's theorem, and de Rham's theorem. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Adler (fall)
MATH
110b
Differential Geometry
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Riemannian metrics, parallel transport, geodesics, curvature. Introduction to Lie groups and Lie algebras, vector bundles and principal bundles. Usually offered every second year.
Staff
MATH
111a
Real Analysis
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Measure and integration. Lp spaces, Banach spaces, Hilbert spaces. Radon-Nikodym, Riesz representation, and Fubini theorems. Fourier transforms. Usually offered every year.
Staff
MATH
111b
Complex Analysis
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The Cauchy integral theorem, calculus of residues, and maximum modulus principle. Harmonic functions. The Riemann mapping theorem and conformal mappings. Other topics as time permits. Usually offered every year.
Staff
MATH
121a
Topology I
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Fundamental group, covering spaces. Cell complexes, homology and cohomology theory, with applications. Usually offered every year.
Staff
MATH
121b
Topology II
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Continuation of MATH 121a. Manifolds and orientation, cup and cap products, Poincaré duality. Other topics as time permits. Usually offered every year.
Staff
MATH
130a
Logic and Set Theory
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Prerequisite: MATH 23b or permission of the instructor.
The ZFC axioms, ordinals, cardinals, Martin's axiom, the Suslin problem, well founded sets, consistency proofs, introduction to forcing. Special one-time offering, spring 2010.
Mr. Fishman
MATH
150a
Combinatorics
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Emphasis on enumerative combinatorics. Generating functions and their applications to counting graphs, paths, permutations, and partitions. Bijective counting, combinatorial identities, Lagrange inversion and Möbius inversion. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Gessel (fall)
MATH
150b
Topics in Combinatorics
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Possible topics include symmetric functions, graph theory, extremal combinatorics, combinatorial optimization, coding theory. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Gessel (fall)
(200 and above) Primarily for Graduate Students
All graduate-level courses will have organizational meetings the first week of classes.
MATH
200a
Second-Year Seminar
A course for second-year students in the PhD program designed to provide exposure to current research and practice in giving seminar talks. Students read recent journal articles and preprints and present the material. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Kleinbock (spring)
MATH
201a
Topics in Algebra
Introduction to a field of algebra. Possible topics include representation theory, vertex algebras, algebraic groups. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Barnet-Lamb (spring)
MATH
202a
Algebraic Geometry I
Varieties and schemes. Cohomology theory. Curves and surfaces. Usually offered every second year.
Staff
MATH
202b
Algebraic Geometry II
Continuation of MATH 202a. Usually offered every second year.
Staff
MATH
203a
Number Theory
Basic algebraic number theory (number fields, ramification theory, class groups, Dirichlet unit theorem), zeta and L-functions (Riemann zeta function, Dirichlet L-functions, primes in arithmetic progressions, prime number theorem). Usually offered every second year.
Staff
MATH
203b
Topics in Number Theory
Possible topics include class field theory, cyclotomic fields, modular forms, analytic number theory, ergodic number theory. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Bellaïche (spring)
MATH
204a
T.A. Practicum
Teaching elementary mathematics courses is a subtle and difficult art involving many skills besides those that make mathematicians good at proving theorems. This course focuses on the development and support of teaching skills. The main feature is individual observation of the graduate student by the practicum teacher, who provides written criticism of and consultation on classroom teaching practices. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Parker (fall)
MATH
205b
Commutative Algebra
Associated primes, primary decomposition. Filtrations, completions, graded rings. Dimension theory, Hilbert functions. Regular sequences, depth, regular local rings. Other topics as time permits. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Igusa (fall)
MATH
211a
Topics in Differential Geometry and Analysis I
Possible topics include complex manifolds, elliptic operators, index theory, random matrix theory, integrable systems, dynamical systems, ergodic theory. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Kleinbock (fall)
MATH
212b
Functional Analysis
Banach and Hilbert spaces, linear operators, operator topologies, Banach algebras. Convexity and fixed point theorems, integration on locally compact groups. Spectral theory. Other topics as time permits. Usually offered every second year.
Staff
MATH
221a
Topology III
Vector bundles and characteristic classes. Elementary homotopy theory and obstruction theory. Cobordism and transversality; other topics as time permits. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Ruberman (fall)
MATH
221b
Topics in Topology
Topics in topology and geometry. In recent years, topics have included knot theory, symplectic and contact topology, gauge theory, and three-dimensional topology. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Ruberman (spring)
MATH
223a
Lie Algebras
Theorems of Engel and Lie. Semisimple Lie algebras, Cartan's criterion. Universal enveloping algebras, PBW theorem, Serre's construction. Representation theory. Other topics as time permits. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Lian (spring)
MATH
224b
Lie Groups
Basic theory of Lie groups and Lie algebras. Homogeneous spaces. Haar measure. Compact Lie groups, representation theory, Peter-Weyl theorem, differential slice theorem. Complex reductive groups. Other topics as time permits. Usually offered every second year.
Staff
MATH
250a
Complex Algebraic Geometry I
Riemann surfaces, Riemann-Roch theorems, Jacobians. Complex manifolds, Hodge decomposition theorem, cohomology of sheaves, Serre duality. Vector bundles and Chern classes. Other topics as time permits. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Mayer (fall)
MATH
250b
Complex Algebraic Geometry II
Continuation of MATH 250a. Usually offered every second year.
Staff
MATH
299a
Readings in Mathematics
Staff
MATH
301a
Further Topics in Algebra
Staff
MATH
302a
Topics in Algebraic Geometry
Staff
MATH
311a
Further Topics in Analysis
Mr. Adler (spring)
MATH
321a
Further Topics in Topology
Staff
MATH
326a
Topics in Mathematics
Staff
MATH
399a
Readings in Mathematics
Staff
MATH
401d
Research
Independent research for the PhD degree. Specific sections for individual faculty members as requested.
Staff
Cross-Listed in Mathematics
BIOL
51a
Biostatistics
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Prerequisite: MATH 10a.
A basic introduction to methods of statistics and mathematical analysis applied to problems in the life sciences. Topics include statistical analysis of experimental data, mathematical description of chemical reactions, and mathematical models in neuroscience, population biology, and epidemiology. Usually offered every year.
Staff
BIOL
135b
The Principles of Biological Modeling
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Prerequisite: MATH 10a or 10b.
With examples from neuroscience, cell biology, ecology, evolution, and physiology, dynamical concepts of significance throughout the biological world are discusses. Simple computational and mathematical models are used to demonstrate important roles of the exponential function, feedback, stability, oscillations, and randomness. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Miller
COSI
30a
Introduction to the Theory of Computation
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Prerequisite: COSI 29a.
Formal treatment of models of computation: finite automata and regular languages, pushdown automata and context-free languages, Turing machines, and recursive enumerability. Church's thesis and the invariance thesis. Halting problem and undecidability, Rice's theorem, recursion theorem. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Mairson
COSI
190a
Introduction to Programming Language Theory
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Prerequisite: COSI 21a or familiarity with a functional programming language, set theory, and logic.
An introduction to the mathematical semantics of functional programming languages. Principles of denotational semantics; lambda calculus and its programming idiom; Church-Rosser theorem and Böhm's theorem; simply typed lambda calculus and its model theory: completeness for the full type frame,
Statman's 1-section theorem and completeness of beta-eta reasoning; PCF and full abstraction with parallel operations; linear logic, proofnets, context semantics and geometry of interaction, game semantics, and full abstraction. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Mairson
ECON
184b
Econometrics
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Prerequisites: ECON 80a, ECON 82b, and ECON 83a, or permission of instructor. This course may not be taken for credit by students who have previously taken or are currently enrolled in ECON 185a or ECON 215a.
An introduction to the theory of econometric regression and forecasting models, with applications to the analysis of business and economic data. Usually offered every year.
Staff
ECON
185a
Econometrics with Linear Algebra
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Prerequisites: ECON 80a, 82b, 83a and MATH 15a. A working knowledge of linear algebra is required.
Students are first exposed to the necessary background in advanced probability theory and statistics. Then statistical theory for the linear regression model, its most important variants, and extensions to nonlinear methods including Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) and Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) are covered. Theoretical analysis is accompanied by the study of empirical economic examples. Usually offered every second year.
Ms. Li
PHIL
106b
Mathematical Logic
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Prerequisite: One course in logic or permission of the instructor.
Covers in detail several of the following proofs: the Gödel Incompleteness Results, Tarski's Undefinability of Truth Theorem, Church's Theorem on the Undecidability of Predicate Logic, and Elementary Recursive Function Theory. Usually offered every year.
Staff
PHYS
100a
Classical Mechanics
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Prerequisites: PHYS 20a or permission of the instructor.
Lagrangian dynamics, Hamiltonian mechanics, planetary motion, general theory of small vibrations. Introduction to continuum mechanics. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Fell
PHYS
110a
Mathematical Physics
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Prerequisite: PHYS 30a, PHYS 31a (formerly PHYS 30b), or permission of the instructor.
A selection of mathematical concepts and techniques useful for formulating and analyzing physical theories. Topics may include: complex analysis, Fourier and other integral transforms, special functions, ordinary and partial differential equations (including their theory and methods for solving them), group and representation theory, and differential geometry. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Blocker
QBIO
110a
Numerical Modeling of Biological Systems
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Prerequisite: MATH 10a and b or equivalent.
Modern scientific computation applied to problems in molecular and cell biology. Covers techniques such as numerical integration of differential equations, molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations. Applications range from enzymes and molecular motors to cells. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Hagan
Courses of Related Interest
Note: the following courses do not count as credit toward the major or the minor in mathematics.
PHIL
38b
Philosophy of Mathematics
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Prerequisite: A course in logic or permission of the instructor.
Basic issues in the foundations of mathematics will be explored through close study of selections from Frege, Russell, Carnap, and others, as well as from contemporary philosophers. Questions addressed include: What are the natural numbers? Do they exist in the same sense as tables and chairs? How can "finite beings" grasp infinity? What is the relationship between arithmetic and geometry? The classic foundational "programs," logicism, formalism, and intuitionism, are explored. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Berger or Mr. Yourgrau