Commutative algebra

Lectures: 2 sessions / week, 1.5 hours / session

In this course students will learn about Noetherian rings and modules, Hilbert basis theorem, Cayley-Hamilton theorem, integral dependence, Noether normalization, the Nullstellensatz, localization, primary decomposition, DVRs, filtrations, length, Artin rings, Hilbert polynomials, tensor products, and dimension theory.

Algebra I (18.701) and Algebra II (18.702)

Reid, Miles. Undergraduate Commutative Algebra: London Mathematical Society Student Texts. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, April 26, 1996. ISBN: 9780521458894.

Atiyah, Michael, and Ian Macdonald. Introduction to Commutative Algebra. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1994. ISBN: 9780201407518.

Eisenbud, David. Commutative Algebra: With a View Toward Algebraic Geometry. New York, NY: Springer-Verlag, 1999. ISBN: 9780387942698.

Grades in this class are based nearly entirely on the problem sets. In addition, each student will present (at least) one problem in class. There will be no exams.

Problem sets are due in class each Thursday of the week after they are assigned (in other words, 7 or 9 days later). On occasion, a late problem set will be accepted provided that you state (1) a good reason why you need the extra time and (2) the date when the set will be turned in. Collaboration is permitted, indeed encouraged, provided that you think through each problem on your own and write it up in your own words. Problem sets will be graded in part on the quality of the write-up.

Don't show me this again

This is one of over 2,200 courses on OCW. Find materials for this course in the pages linked along the left.

MIT OpenCourseWare is a free & open publication of material from thousands of MIT courses, covering the entire MIT curriculum.

No enrollment or registration. Freely browse and use OCW materials at your own pace. There's no signup, and no start or end dates.

Knowledge is your reward. Use OCW to guide your own life-long learning, or to teach others. We don't offer credit or certification for using OCW.

Made for sharing. Download files for later. Send to friends and colleagues. Modify, remix, and reuse (just remember to cite OCW as the source.)

Learn more at Get Started with MIT OpenCourseWare