18.705 (fall 2009): Commutative algebra

Web pages: http://web.mit.edu/18.705/www or http://math.mit.edu/18.705.

Lectures: TR 9:30-11:00, Room 2-146.

Lecturer: Steven L. KLEIMAN, 2-278, x3-4996, Kleiman@math.MIT.edu

Lecturer's office hours: TR 8:30-9:30 and 12:30-2:30 and by appointment.

TA: Antoni Rangachev , toniran@math.MIT.edu

TA's office hours: MW evenings 7:30-9:30 in 2-130 and by appointment.

Prerequisites: 18.701-18.702 or equivalent.

Text: Lecture notes, written in collaboration with Allen Altman, available via the course syllabus

References

1. Miles REID, "Undergraduate commutative algebra," Cambridge University Press, LMS Student Texts 29, 1995.
2. Michael ATIYAH and Ian MACDONALD, "Introduction to commutative algebra," Addison-Wesley, 1969.
3. David EISENBUD, "Commutative algebra," GTM 150, Springer-Verlag, 1994.
4. Serge LANG, "Algebra,'' GTM 211, Springer-Verlag, 2002.
5. Saunders MAC LANE, "Categories for the working Mathematician," GTM 5, Springer-Verlag, 1971.

Grading: Based nearly entirely on the problem sets. In addition, each registered student will present (at least) one problem in class. There will be no exams.

Problem sets: Assignments are available from the course syllabus. 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 send me, Kleiman@math.MIT.edu, an email request stating

1. a good REASON why you need the extra time and
2. the DATE when the set will be turned in.

Late sets should be turned in directly to the TA.

Collaboration is permitted, indeed encouraged, provided that you

1. THINK THROUGH each problem on your own,
2. WRITE it up in your OWN words, and
3. LIST the names of your COLLABORATORS.

Problems sets will be graded in part on the quality of the writeup, and late sets may lose points. Please KEEP your graded sets to show me later as you may someday ask me to write a reference for you.