Algebraic Number Theory

Credits 8 credit points
Instructors Lenstra, H.W. (Universiteit Leiden), Stevenhagen, P. (Universiteit Leiden)
E-mail HWL@MATH.leidenuniv.nlpsh@math.leidenuniv.nl
Aim The course provides a thorough introduction to algebraic number theory. It treats the basic laws of arithmetic that are valid in subrings of algebraic number fields.
Description

Introduction to algebraic numbers and number rings. Ideal factorization, finiteness results on class groups and units, explicit computation of these invariants. Possible special topics: binary quadratic forms, the number field sieve, valuations and completions, local fields, introduction
to class field theory and reciprocity laws, density theorems.
http://websites.math.leidenuniv.nl/ant2008/

Organization The class is taught every Tuesday morning at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam: two hours (10.15-12.00) of lectures and one hour (12.15-13.00)
devoted to exercises.
Examination The final grade is exclusively based on the results obtained for the weekly homework assignments.
Literature There will be course notes and homework exercises. Several books entitled `Algebraic number theory', such as those by Stewart & Tall, E. Weiss, S. Lang, J. Neukirch, or Cassels & Fröhlich, can be profitably consulted. See also the course notes `Number rings' at
http://websites.math.leidenuniv.nl/algebra/
Prerequisites  Undergraduate algebra, i.e., the basic properties of
groups, rings, and fields, including Galois theory. This material is covered in first and second year algebra courses in the bachelor program of most universities. See http://www.math.leidenuniv.nl/algebra for the
course notes used in Leiden and Delft.
  Last changed: 08-09-2010 09:56