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  6. MX5005: Galois Theory

MX5005: GALOIS THEORY (2014-2015)

Last modified: 28 Jun 2018 10:27


Course Overview

Galois theory is based around a simple but ingenious idea: that we can study field extensions by instead studying the structure of certain groups associated to them. This idea can be employed to solve some problems which confounded mathematicians for centuries, including the impossibility of trisecting an angle with ruler and compass alone, and the insolubility of the general quintic equation.



Course Details

Study Type Postgraduate Level 5
Term First Term Credit Points 20 credits (10 ECTS credits)
Campus None. Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Jean-Baptiste Gramain

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

None.

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

The roots of a quadratic polynomial are given by a formula involving the coefficients. Similar formulae exist for roots of polynomial equations of degrees 3 and 4, but not for higher degrees. The precise relationship between a polynomial and the type of roots it has emerges as one of the consequences of Galois Theory, which is a unification of ideas embracing polynomials, fields and group theory. The course will also consider the classical ruler and compass constructions.

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

One 3-hour written examination (80%); one in-course assessment (20%).

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Feedback

None.

Course Learning Outcomes

None.
 

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